I am now in a position where I want to buy a new reference Bible, in a relatively traditionally-worded translation, yet still fairly easy to read and understand. I’d like it to be better than the end-of-paragraph references that have become so common recently. I’d like it to have a column of cross-references, with the text notes either in that column or at the bottom of the page.
Lockman and Zondervan both have such reference Bibles in the NASB, but I’ve become rather disenchanted with that translation. Zondervan’s TNIV reference Bible fits the bill fairly well, but I’m a little hesitant about the relatively small type as well as the future of the TNIV. And I’ve discovered that Zondervan is really not providing much along that line in the NIV. The NKJV is too muddy, and the KJV is out of the question. And I’m not very interested in buying another HCSB, and the NRSV doesn’t have the leather versions I’m looking for yet. Besides, I just don’t like the NRSV.
So, I’ve been looking on the internet at the…ah…um…you know…the ESV. You know, the one whose promoters attack all the other translations and their translation teams, and whose rabid fanaticism for their translation has given rise to the new term ESV-only. But I don’t know if I can stand to give in and get one. I really resent the way its promoters attacked and nearly destroyed the TNIV, which is a fine, conservative evangelical translation.
I have found an ESV reference Bible that fits the bill very well for me. It’s the single column reference Bible in tru-tone for about $32 from EvangelicalBible.com. It’s black-letter (yay!) in 10 point type. That’s a little on the small size, but with the verse layout in the single-column format, it’s really very easy for me to read. My biggest concern is how easy it will be to read the references and notes, but from what I have been able to tell, that shouldn’t be much of a problem at all. And the black tru-tone cover is exquisite! It feels like soft leather, and it is being reported that it is very durable.
The translation is very traditional-sounding. Those of us who have been reading these biblioblogs for some time now have seen how awkward some of it is. But it appears that the more recent revisions have corrected at least some of that. The vocabulary used is sometimes viewed as archaic, but in fact it is mainly just beyond our vocabulary that we use in everyday speech. No, we don’t talk like that, but most of us can understand it easily enough. And since this is going to be a Bible for ME, it will be just fine.
So, I guess I’m really considering buying a new ESV.
But I’m still gonna have to hold my nose to do it!
The Sundry Times 
The ESV is not as bad as its critics say and not as good as its supporters claim. But you are correct in that Crossway is leading the publisher pack in producing a wide variety of Bible formats. If only Zondervan, Tyndale, Harper et al. would follow that path as well.
If I still had my TNIV RB, I’d send it your way, but I gave it up earlier this year – I’m fine with one of the thinlines for reading until they come out with a format that has larger text size and/or wide margins.
Do you trust the ESV?
Did you look at this NIV?
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Don’t let what others have done concerning the ESV sway you. Let the translation stand or fall upon its own merits. I like the ESV and I think it is trustworthy. I have the ESV single column reference and it is really nice to study from with its larger print. I think you will be happy with your choice.
If you still have to hold your nose, just tell yourself that you are simply being fair (even though ESV only people may not be) and you will own a nice Bible of every translation. 🙂
Keep up the good posts.
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I have a TNIV XL that’s just fine for the time being, ElShaddai. I wonder if they will ever come out with a larger-print TNIV RB!
Do I trust the ESV? More than I trust its promoters! 😉
I looked at that NIV earlier this afternoon. That’s a rare one that almost fills the bill for me, but the fact is that I already own 4 or 5 NIVs and so I can’t really justify buying another one.
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Thanks for the comments, Brent. I’ve been talking about this with my co-worker as well this afternoon (he’s a former pastor) and he was recommending the ESV to me over the NIV, because of its accuracy and clarity. But then he’s a lot more of a traditionalist than I am. (I don’t push him on things like the TNIV and NLT.) He likes the NKJV best. But I think the ESV will probably serve me fine.
The only one I own is a pew Bible I bought back right after the ESV came on the market, so it’s not the latest version of it. But I’ll probably be spending some time with it tonight while the Phillies and Rays are playing.
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Gary,
I wouldn’t let the supporters or even the detractors of the ESV make the decision. Keep in mind the translation team aren’t the ones who are tearing down other translations. I have no reason to doubt they approached the work with all the reverence that any team would to a Bible translation.
I don’t personally, however, like the ESV. The deliberate avoidance of inclusive language, to the point of being even less inclusive than the KJV or NIV I find unnecessary. I also don’t think there was enough revision done to the original RSV. Finally, it just reads way too rough and stilted. I’m not archaic and have no use for language that is.
The bottom line, in my opinion, is that if you like it and can live with it’s shortcomings (which all translations have), then I would go for it.
One final thing, the edition you linked to has a verse by verse layout instead of paragraphs. I don’t like that format, but many do (it does leave some more room for notes).
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Also, most of the tru-tone Crossway editions are glue bound and not sewn, if it matters to you
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My 6.3 cents…
I would take the NASB over the ESV in a heartbeat. I have a Lockman Foundation NASB Wide Margin Side Column Reference Bible in Calfskin, ISBN 1-58135-112-7. It is wonderful. Lots of references and plenty of room for notes. I have read that the quality has diminished since I purchased mine but I cannot confirm that. There are cheaper versions available.
Regarding the TNIV RB, I was not aware that the type is small. I see on the Zondervan site it’s 9/9.25 which is at the lower end of my preferred size. I’m going to be getting one in Renaissance Leather when it comes out.
Regarding the ESV, I’m not sure if I would hold my nose. I might just wait for the Renaissance Leather.
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@Dave, thanks for the comments! I’m aware that the ESV I linked to uses the verse format. I generally prefer the paragraph format myself, but I have found that when the font is a little smallish, the verse format seems to make a bit more room around the text, making it just a bit easier for these old eyes to read. It just takes a bit of getting used to.
And yes, it does concern me that the textblocks are usually glued instead of sewn.
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@Stan,
Thanks for mentioning the NASB single column reference Bible. That’s the one I have decided would be the best if I decide to replace my beat-up Zondervan NASB personal size giant print. A big factor is the larger font in the NASB, at 11 point compared to the ESV’s 10. 10 point is really about as small as I can comfortably go, though I can live with 9 point under some conditions.
One thing about the ESV single column that bothers me, and that’s the font size of the notes and references. I can read the text all right, but what good is a reference Bible if you can’t make out the references and notes?
Actually, considering my financial position at this time, I think I’m probably going to let the ESV thing go for now and just go with what I’ve got. I can’t justify the cost of a new leather Bible right now. Besides, I have an almost-new NKJV to wear out! 😉
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BTW, if I got the Renaissance Leather, I wouldn’t be holding my nose, either! I’ll bet those smell real nice!
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Gary, I have a 2001 edition of the ESV and a 2007 pew copy, and I actually prefer the 2001 edition. I think this is probably because less changes had been made to the RSV text, and the RSV is still a favorite of mine.
By the way, has anyone here purchased the ESV Study Bible? I’ve not yet seen anyone post on it since its release last week.
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Gary,
Depending on finances at Christmas, I may or may not get the TNIV RB in renaissance leather. I hope to get it if for no other reason than to support an excellent translation. But I’m not going to go broke to do that.
I’m sure it’s going to smell good. Real good.
Regarding my NASB Wide Margin Side Column Reference Bible, it is in verse format rather than paragraph. Normally I prefer paragraph format but I find the verse format to be more conducive to note taking.
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I actually prefer the 2001 edition. I think this is probably because less changes had been made to the RSV text,
LW, that’s interesting to see you say that. I wasn’t aware that the changes in the later version of the ESV were that noticeable. I grew up with the RSV, and I think that’s one thing about the ESV that I like – it just sounds right!
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Stan, I agree. I won’t go broke to get any Bible. But I certainly prefer leather! 😉
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I was up in ElShaddai's neck of the woods on Saturday and while my wife and daughter were shopping for new purses, I spent a little time in the Barnes & Noble at the Maplewood Mall. I was looking for either the ESV Single Column Reference Bible or the TNIV Reference Bible, but I struck out on both. But I did notice they had a pretty good supply of the other versions of the ESV, particularly the thinlines and compact versions. TNIVs were very rare, though. I think I saw two of them. I didn't see either a TNIV or an ESV Study Bible, but I saw several NLT SBs. At any rate, I didn't see anything I really wanted to spend any hard-earned money on.
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Gary that old RSV is still hard to beat in my book. I switched almost exclusively to NRSV a few months ago, but sometimes find myself back in the RSV due to some of the awkward sections in the NRSV concerning the inclusive language, such as Titus 1:6. I really like the NRSV but in places like this it just feels so awkward and almost like it is pushing an agenda.
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I really like the NRSV but in places like this it just feels so awkward and almost like it is pushing an agenda.
LW, when I look back on the history of the NRSV, I’m quite certain that there were some people involved who did have an agenda they tried to push. But I don’t think they were particularly successful, and the translation is still very good
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Gary,
I just read at bibledesignblog.com that ligioner ministries is giving away a leather bound reformation study bible with a donation of any size the next few days. I don’t know about the reformation part, but it may be one of the cheapest ways to get a large(r) print leather ESV right now:
http://www.bibledesignblog.com/2008/10/another-good-deal.html
Dave
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