<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> ..read more

 Published by Crossway, who kindly sent me a copy to review, TheBiggest Story Bible Storybook is loaded with colorful artwork by Don Clark and kid-friendly Bible stories retold by Kevin DeYoung. Immediate orders might make it in time for Easter, but these timeless stories bless readers anytime, especially because they show the connection of the biblical books with Jesus. As the Introduction says ..read more

 In this comprehensive paperback resource that Crossway kindly gave me to review, authors Gregory R. Lanier, PhD, and William A. Ross, PhD, address The Septuagint: What It Is and Why It Matters. Although the title sounds straightforward enough, this Greek translation of scripture follows a meandering path. Until the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586, Hebrew scriptures were ..read more

 If you can read fairly small print (7.75-point font), the new ESVConcise Study Bible, which Crossway kindly gave me to review, provides an excellent, hardback edition to carry to your Bible discussion group as it features over 12,000 study notes, over a dozen articles on the scriptures and/or Christian life, and loads of maps within the text to keep you grounded in the biblical terrain.   The ..read more

After centuries of the King James Version of the Bible and Douay-Rheims providing the main English editions to choose from, biblical scholars and interdenominational committees revisited the ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts to provide us with contemporary versions we could more readily understand. For quite a while in the 20th and 21st centuries, Bible publishers regularly released new ..read more

 My first impression of the ESV Expository Commentary: Matthew–Luke, which Crossway kindly sent me to review, is undeniable heft! With 1156 pages and a three-inch depth from hardcover front to back, the very weight of this volume illustrates its own aim toward comprehensiveness.   Using the highly acclaimed ESV translation (English Standard Version) as the basis of this massive work, the ..read more

 Last month we took a look at The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel: Samuel and before that Exodus, both published by Koren Publishers Jerusalem, who kindly sent me copies of those exquisitely produced, tabletop editions to review. This time, however, we have the entire first edition of The Koren Tanakh – a well-researched translation of the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings.   Beginning ..read more

 This fresh English translation of Samuel has the beauty of a coffee table book with slick, thick quality paper and ample illustrations of historical and archaeological significance. Published by Koren Publishers Jerusalem, who kindly sent me a copy to review, the book of Samuel in The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel is a new translation into English, accompanied by its original Jewish text ..read more

 Over two-dozen insightful people contributed to the new devotional book, 100 Best Bible Verses to Overcome Worry & Anxiety, which Bethany House kindly sent me to review.   With only a couple of pages per scriptural quotation, each exudes wisdom, comfort, and spiritual insight to calm fears and disperse worry. The carefully selected verses from both the Hebrew Bible (aka Old Testament) and New ..read more

 When a service person came to our house this week, he saw the books in my little office and asked, “Do you think you have enough Bibles?” Probably not! But that started us talking about which translations we prefer and why.   As you might have guessed by now, I love them all! (Well, almost! I had to decline a review copy of an edition that omitted “negative” parts!) Although I use only the ..read more