Thursday, June 25, 2015

OBOY: A Reader's Question

Inspired by Carl Hernz recent NABRE post and the OBOY series, reader Eric was interested in seeing what actual Bible most of you read.  He provided me a series of questions for you to try and answer.  I would be interested in hearing back from you as well.  See if you are able to describe, using the questions below, your Bible.


Main Question = What is your "most used" Bible for reading pleasure/prayer/reflection?  This does not necessarily have to be your favorite translation, your favorite Bible or a study Bible...

Why do you prefer it over your other Bibles (if you have others)? 
What do you consider to be its most important feature?
Was it a gift or did you purchase it for yourself?  If it was a gift, does the sentimental value contribute to your use of it?
What is the layout - single or double column?
Does it have illustrations or is it solely text?
What fonts are used?  Is font choice, kerning (spacing between characters), line spacing or color scheme important or irrelevant?
What is the weight of the paper?
How is it bound and/or what format is it in?
What are the overall dimensions?
Who is the publisher and when was it published?
What is the translation?

27 comments:

CWBuckley said...

My schedule of Bible reading is set by the daily office of readings in the Liturgy of the Hours. Since my book of Christian Prayer doesn't contain all the readings, I look them up in the NABRE Didache Bible from the Midwest Theological Forum, with a Catechism on hand to look up the paragraphs cited.

(For the short readings that are included in the Morning or Evening Prayers, I read db "inline" on the breviary page, which draws for the Lectionary based on the original NAB.)

I specifically bought it because of its most important feature: the commentary that illuminates the Scripture with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. A seminary trained former Protestant, I am pretty well versed in scripture. I enjoy being able to tie what I know back to the magisterial teaching of the Church for a better understanding of how they work in tandem. (For me, the biggest obstacle overcome was the sola scriptura tendency of my former upbringing and training in faith).

It also comes in an RSV-2CE edition with the same commentary, but I'm holding out for a one-volume Ignatius Catholic Study Bible edition for that some day.

citizen DAK said...

My most often used is actually an electronic Lectionary: the Universalis.com app on my phone. I especially use the "Readings at Mass" screen, and sometimes add "Evening Prayer" etc.

Reasons: It's always available (pocket portable in my phone, as well as on larger screens when desired). It's also convenient by automatically opening to Today (yet also letting me switch to other days, such as the upcoming Sunday). Font size is adjustable. Poetic layout (long lines reflow to new-lines yet still indent to show phrases intact). I also leave the latin/greek column visible, to pick up a few bits in source-languages I don't know much of.

For scripture reading beyond the Lectionary, I have multiple 'preferences' each with their own strengths. I do prefer study bibles, instead of those without footnotes etc. I also use e-books more than hardcopies: they're searchable, portable, annotatable (my highlights & notes travel with me)...
Like C. Buckley, I like sticking close to the magisterial, spiritual/application resources more often than the critical.
I like reading the paraphrases & comparisons Tim shares here, the commentaries posted at TheSacredPage.com and played on AveMariaRadio.net, in ICSB, etc. etc... (should I elaborate?)

Anonymous said...

As I tend to switch back and forth, I would have to say that I don't have a favorite Bible. Although lately, I have started moving away from
regular Bibles to electronic Bibles because the convenience and flexability can't be beat. For example, following a tip from Rolf, I have now assembled a nice library of Commentaries, Encyclopedias, a Bible Dictionary, a Catholic Study Bible (notes) and a Bible Atlas; all of which are automatically keyed to whatever text I am on in the Bible I'm reading at the time. And all of it is accessible at the touch of a finger on conveniently sized iPad. Plus, there's no problems with tiny fonts, bleeding and paper thin pages or large and unwieldy bibles. With the exception of my Navarre Study Bible, I doubt I'll ever use a regular Bible again.

The translations I've been using the most lately are the NABRE & RSV w/the deuterocanonical books.

Pax,
John

CWBuckley said...

In follow-up and agreement, I only pray the Liturgy of the Hours from the print book with a print Bible in hand in the morning.

In the afternoon commute, or when traveling, it's from the Universalis app... which includes two Lectionary options in the settings: one based on the NAB (for the U.S.) and another based on the Jerusalem Bible (for the UK and most of the rest of the English-speaking world). Sorry Canada: no NRSV option for you (though I'm not sure if Canada uses NRSV for breviaries; that may just be for mass lectionaries).

I also use the Lighthouse Catholic Media / Ignatius Press "Catholic Bible Study" app as my full electronic Bible. It uses the RSV-2CE with the Ignatius Study Bible commentaries (though you can toggle the the original RSV-CE on and off, as you prefer). I've been enjoying access to the NABRE on the Youversion.com "Bible App." It's got some nice social features, and is a great way to get access to the full text of the NABRE, the Good News catholic edition, and even the Douay-Rheims in a nice version for free among the MANY translations, English or otherwise, for a largely evangelical reader-base. As a former United Methodist and Episcopalian, I do appreciate being able to flip to the new Common English Bible (CEB) as a comparison text, even though it hasn't (yet) been approved fro catholic prayer and study.

So essentially, my Bible preferences are:
-Office of Readings / Morning Prayer lectionary (Christian Prayer) and NABRE (Didache) in print
-Evening Prayer lectionary (Universalis) and RSV-2CE (Lighthouse Catholic Media / Ignatius Catholic Study Bible app) electronically

Carl Hernz said...

My favorite (Old Testament) of choice is the JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh, pocket size edition. It measures 4x6 inches, comes with a flexible leatherette cover, and each page has two columns, the right one containing the Hebrew in traditional font, and the left the English text in 6pt. Palatino type. The Hebrew-speaking Vicariate has a link to the Leningrad, but a lot of Hebrew readers I know use the ArtScroll editions... even though the text of the JPS is what gets recommended most by scholars.

I employ three different texts for the New Testament. The official Hebrew translation of the New Testament for Hebrew-speaking Catholics is the BSI (Bible Society of Israel) rendered in modern everyday Hebrew. Outside of Hebrew liturgy I use the NRSV Jewish Anotated New Testament in English and the UBS Greek text when I read it in Greek.

But I prefer to use the NRSV Catholic Edition 1990 Thomas Nelson version for everyday evangelizing, English study (ISBN 0-8407-8552-6) This out-of-print edition has a purple cover in either hard copy or paperback, a little larger than my JPS, with a 8.5pt double column Bookman type (very clear and friendly).

But when I have to quote a Catholic source it is the NABRE, various editions, with the Revised Grail Psalter, various editions, the source of quotes for the Psalms. I do not use the NABRE Psalter, however.

Kent G. Hare said...

Main Question = What is your "most used" Bible for reading pleasure/prayer/reflection? This does not necessarily have to be your favorite translation, your favorite Bible or a study Bible...
>>The CTS New Catholic Bible, Standard Edition
Why do you prefer it over your other Bibles (if you have others)? What do you consider to be its most important feature?
>>It's easiest just to refer to my blog post on it: http://randomramblings-absentmindedprofessor.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-cts-new-catholic-bible-2013.html?m=0 ... the short version is that I have always liked the elegant literary quality of the Jerusalem Bible for just sitting down to read as opposed to study
Was it a gift or did you purchase it for yourself? If it was a gift, does the sentimental value contribute to your use of it?
>> Purchased for self
What is the layout - single or double column?
>> Single column
Does it have illustrations or is it solely text?
>> Endpaper maps
What fonts are used? Is font choice, kerning (spacing between characters), line spacing or color scheme important or irrelevant?
>> Roman 8pt text (6pt for footnotes) ... headings are sans serif
What is the weight of the paper?
How is it bound and/or what format is it in?
>> "flexi-bound leatherette" ... whatever that is, but it feels like soft leather to me, very nice
What are the overall dimensions?
>> 4.75"x7"
Who is the publisher and when was it published? Catholic Truth Society, 2012
What is the translation? Jerusalem Bible with Yahweh changed to LORD, except the Psalms are the Grail Psalter

Mark in Spokane said...

I use two Bible translations regularly: the New English Bible with Apocrypha (Oxford Study Edition, with imprimatur), and the New American Bible. For the NAB(RE) I have used the St. Joseph's Edition published by the Catholic Book Publishing Co., although I just switched over to using the Didache Bible edition of the NAB(RE) a few days ago. The NEB is a more dynamic/paraphrase style of translation, and I find the style of the text quite evocative. The NAB(RE) is more literal, particularly since the OT Revision came out. Together the two form a nice balance, and their common strengths tend to balance out their individual weaknesses.

rolf said...

I have three 'main' Bibles that I use everyday. 1)The Oxford large print NABRE (12 font size) which I use mostly for my morning and evening Liturgy of the Hours. I use it along with the four volume LOTH books. I like the readings and Psalms better in the NABRE than the 1970 NAB and the grail psalms. The Oxford Bible I had rebound in genuine distressed walnut pebble grain cowhide from Leonards (which makes it a pleasure to hold every morning). 2) The Didache Bible RSV-2CE which I have sent to Leonards to be rebound in Forest green genuine pebble grain cowhide (which I hope to get back in another 4 weeks or so). The Didache Bible I use for my daily and general reading and also use it for RCIA. I also alternate using it in the LOTH. And 3) is The Catholic Study Bible NABRE in black bonded leather which I use for Bible Study, general reading and study.

Timothy said...

Rolf,

Can't wait to see some pictures. I have a couple Bibles out, one of which is at Leonard's.

rolf said...

What did you send to Leonards (or is it top secret)?

Timothy said...

No secret. The Leonard's is getting a an Oxford RSV-CE readers which is in need to having the sewn binding fixed up, along with adding some ribbons. I send off the Harper NRSV w/apocrypha compact to another book rebindery. First time sending it off to this other place. I have been using this NRSV almost everyday for the past month.

rolf said...

It will be interesting to see the results of the other rebindery.

Anonymous said...



Speaking of the Liturgy of the Hours, for those who don't know you can now get an app that has the same texts as the 4 volune LOTH.
It's free and it's called: iBreviary TS Plus. You can use it to pray the full texts of the Liturgy of the Hours and the texts are formatted just as they appear in the printed version. It also has the complete daily missal which contains the Ordinary of the Mass, the Eucharistic Prayers, Masses for the the Saints, daily Mass readings, etc. I've been using the 4 volume LOTH for years and I must that this is a really nice representation of it.

http://www.ibreviary.org/en/ibreviary/what-is-the-ibreviary.html

Also, in my haste, I failed to mention above that the electronic library I was able to build was done so using the Olive Tree app that Rolf mention a while back.

Pax,
john

Anonymous said...

The Bible I use the most is the NABRE Fireside Study Edition (2-column conventional layout). I started using this Bible as the one I would take to my weekly Bible Study. I considered it a "knock around" Bible. No care if a little rain got on it or "stuff" got on it in the car. The more I have used it the more I love the look and feel and now it has become my "comfort" and go to Bible. I have retired my St. Joseph NABRE large print Bible which is very readable; but contains those annoying and near comic book level of illustrations from the 1950's.

For bedside reading I use The CTS New Catholic Bible (a single column text); which is the Jerusalem Bible with some changes which include: replacing the use of Yahweh with Lord in the Old Testament, and the replacement of the Psalms with the New Grail Psalms. The goal of this Bible is to exactly match the words used in the liturgy in England and most other English speaking countries except the US and Canada.

For study I often find myself using the very powerful BibleGateway.com website. It includes the NABRE and allows you to place in parallel many translations in English as well as Greek, Latin and Hebrew. (Note: The fine work by Gerald de Belen regarding Old Testament numbering is valuable when using the parallel tools.) The interlinear Hebrew and Greek texts of Biblehub.com are also great tools. However, for the New Testament I often find myself using the scripture4all.org interlinear Greek website.

I consider my slowly wearing Fireside NABRE Bible as being in the center (or the anchor); of the Good Book (for me I must have it in book form) and all the rest as helpers.

Jim

Max said...

I have to admit, I only started reading the Bible regularly a bit over a year ago, so my “most used” Bible is a little hard to pinpoint. I started out with the RSV-CE on Bible Gateway, then bought a bonded leather Ignatius RSV-2CE, later gave that to a friend, bought a Baronius Knox, used it in conjunction with the Lighthouse Study Bible app for a while, then a few weeks ago lucked into a very lightly used bonded leather hardcover Didache NABRE on eBay, which I’ve been reading from exclusively and absolutely love it.

I prefer it over my other Bibles because it has nearly everything I could possibly want in a Bible at this stage—a great translation (I really like the NABRE! It may not be as beautiful as the Knox, but it’s more fun to read, I think), interesting historical notes (the NABRE ones), really good catechetical notes (the Didache ones), little one-page essays scattered in various places, colorful maps, long, detailed intros to all the different books, and so on. Its most important features are the Didache notes and intros, and the apologetical essays—basically, everything added by the Midwest Theological Forum. If it weren’t for those, I would have probably gone with a HarperOne or Saint Benedict’s Press edition, because the Didache Bible is absolutely massive. Plus, the SBP is available in a red-letter edition, or so I’ve heard….always wanted one like that. I purchased it myself on eBay, as mentioned previously. The layout is double-column for the sacred text, double-column for the NABRE notes, and single column for the Didache notes. There aren’t any illustrations (note to MTF people—Doré woodcuts sprinkled liberally throughout would be cool), but there are twenty or thirty shiny, colorful maps at the end. Fonts are all with serif and very readable, and make the layout very pleasant in appearance. (Definitely a vast improvement over the Didache series of textbooks with their obnoxious fonts.) Weight of the paper? I haven’t the slightest idea, but ghosting isn’t bad at all. It’s a bonded leather hardcover that measures about 9.25 x 6.25 x 2.50 inches, and was published by Midwest Theological Forum in 2015. The translation is the Revised Edition of the New American Bible, or NABRE.

Sheesh, that’s a long paragraph, and I’m not rewriting it to satisfy my inner grammar Nazi because it’s late and I’m tired. Hey, at least I covered all the points! I think.

A couple thoughts: I know that OBOY stands for “one Bible one year,” but every time I read it I pronounce it “oh boy!” and stifle a laugh. ;) I’m so tempted to get my Didache Bible rebound in a nice, thick, soft, red leather cover, but when the NAB is finally completed in 2025 or whenever I’ll have to get a new Bible, and rebinding ain’t cheap. But that’s ten years from now and it’d totally be worth it…but it’s a lot of money…but it’s ten years from now…I can’t wait for the complete Ignatius Catholic Study Bible to be released. Oh, look, a squirrel!

Unknown said...

I cut my teeth on the kjv so going into high school, I gravitated towards the RSV which has been the bible of choice, especially since the Common Bible was launched in the mid sixties. Going into college and grad school, the Oxford annotated RSV with Apocrypha was the required text.

I can understand the King James Version only movement within the Evangelical community
I feel the same way towards the RSV. It's unmatched beauty and long heritage make it the standard in my opinion.

I had a brief flirtation with the New Jerusalem buy it didn't last.

Currently, then, the Didache - leather rebound - is my go-to bible with the Ignatius Press RSV 2CE as my portable bible - also leather bound. Pix available if I learn how to attach!

The layout for the Didache Bible is superb. The HarperCollins edition of the NABRE is its only equal.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the acknowledgement, Jim.

It is rather frustrating not to find corresponding verses in different version.

Well, to tell, fresh from mail, my daily Bible is the Flex-bound CTS Catholic Bible (Thanks to Lenny! If you are reading this!). I love it because it is in beautifully worded natural English but not being dumb-down.

Daniel said...

1. Baronius Press Douay-Rheims Standard Size Flexible Cover
2. I prefer it because of the translation and quality of the materials.
3. Most important features: minimal ghosting, clear text, nice paper, nice cover.
4. It was not a gift but if it was a gift it would definitely add sentimental value for me.
5. Double column format but I would prefer single column. I have and love the Knox version too with its beautiful single column.
6. It has some black and white illustrations but they do not interfere with the overall flow of the book. In other Bibles, heavy illustration pages can get in the way sometimes but I do really like other Bibles that have paintings by great artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, etc. It can be worth the thick cumbersome pages for really nice works of art, which are additional great sources of reflection when reading the Bible.
7. I don't know what font is used but it is clear and easy to read. I wouldn't mind slightly larger text. I would also prefer that the page had bigger margins like the Renaissance ideal page, it looks so much more elegant.
8. The paper is not too thin. I much prefer the feel of heavier paper. And I can't deal much with ghosting…If ghosting is an issue, I would rather read a Kindle with 0% ghosting…even though I like physical books better.
9. Bonded leather bound, flexible cover but stiffer compared to other flexible leather covers. I like the feel of the cover very much. I would also pay more for a higher quality genuine leather.
10. 6 x 8.25 x 1.90 (not 100% sure about thickness.)
11. Baronius Press 2010
12. Douay-Rheims (Challoner revision)

Unknown said...

For prayer and reflection, it's my old Tan Books Douay-Rheims (leather/b-leather/imitation/whatever it is) hardcover. It's also the one I'm using for my annual Bible read-through this year. I received it as a gift from my confirmation sponsor Melissa when I was confirmed in 1997, and even though the binding is getting loose and it's taken some water damage to the pages, I'll never part with it as long as my eyes can read it (when it's time to go, a large print Baronius or SBP will take its place, and it will go to one of the kids).

I've found I'm really only using two other translations with any frequency:

RSV-2CE bondo leather for defending the faith from naysayers. While not the Knox for beauty, it is still a pleasurable read, and has a familiar meter for our Protestant brethren. I had planned to replace it with the leather Ignatius Didache Bible, but the leather hardcover was just thick enough it wasn't comfortable to hold in my hand, so I've resisted that change (and already gave my hardcover review copy to our parish priest before finding out about the format change, so just have the bondo regular edition right now).

Little Rock Study Bible (NABRE) for study and catechesis. My thoughts on this edition of the NABRE haven't changed since I did my review for this blog on it last year, other than to change from hardback to paperback for better comfort when holding. Of course, I made that change just about a month prior to the announcement of the new run of deluxe editions, so I'll probably upgrade next month.

I had also been maintaining a Knox and Jerusalem Bible, but after much prayerful consideration, I let them go to others; I was turning to the Little Rock more for study purposes because of it's engaging layout than the Jerusalem Bible. While the Knox is probably the most beautifully written Catholic Bible, the RSV, being descended from the most beautiful Protestant edition, King James, is "beautiful-enough", with a higher degree of accuracy. I won't hesitate to recommend either to another, but in my usage patterns, they were sitting on the shelf more and more, and with an active 2-year-old, I didn't want them getting trashed without being read. The best Bible is the one you read, and not reading those two translations much, I hope they can become someone else's 'best Bible."

I also have a 1951 Confraternity I use when traveling (since I'm in the middle of the OT in my annual read-through, it's the Douay translation except for the psalms, so it doesn't mess up my reading plan). My daughter has an emotional attachment to the little Confraternity, so I'm not allowed to let it go (or so she says). Plus, having a real book Bible (as opposed to an iPhone app) serves as a quiet public witness if I'm sitting at the Clown reading on my lunch hour (and has started a couple conversations).

I do reference the Lighthouse App (RSV-2), Verbum (DR split screen with the Haydock), and Laudate apps (verbum is good in night mode with the brightness all the way down, for continuing to read after the Mrs. says it's time to turn the ******* light off!). Gosh, if only there was a Little Rock Study Bible iPhone app (cough-anyone from Liturgical Press read this blog?-cough).

Unknown said...

My most used Bible now is the Oxford large print NABRE.
I really like the translation, and with my eyes the large print makes daily reading so much easier.
It was a gift that I'm very thankful for.
It's leather bound, double column, with endnotes that make it great for devotional reading.

rolf said...

I agree Ed it is a good Bible for devotional reading. It is one of the few NABRE Bibles out there withe the notes at the end of each book. Nothing but scripture on each page (size 12 font is nice too)! If I plan to study then the Catholic Study Bible is a little more convenient with the notes at the bottom of each pages and the in text maps.

Unknown said...

i just ordered a Didache NABRE from Amazon; i'm hoping Tim will review it one day =]

Carl Hernz said...

Thank you, Eric, for asking these questions. I for one have found reading about other's Scripture reading habits and favorite Bibles encouraging, fun, and all-around up-building. What a wonderful idea and what a wonderful exchange you've inspired. It makes me feel I am not alone when I read my Scriptures, that on some strange Internet level I am part of a loving and very intelligent and gifted Bible study group.

Thanks to everyone for sharing, and a tip o' the hat to Ed Rio: me loves that large print Oxford Bible too!

Anonymous said...

I use the NABRE mostly. I do wonder about something though(kind of off topi); if the Conception Abbey Canticles are approved for the Liturgy of the Hours it could change the NABRE Old Testament quite drastically. As there is quite a bit of Old Testament Canticles used (even one where the "God-Hero" verse is used). Has anyone here seen the translation?

Pax

Alejandro Sanchez said...

When I came back to the Church a few years ago, the RSV-2CE was recommended by people I admired and respected. It was the first bible that I actually read, studied and prayed with. But now I'm married with two small kids (4,2) and another on the way and I want them to know God's word much earlier than I did.

So the bible used almost exclusively in our home in the Good News Bible (Today's English Version) with Deuterocanonicals and added Apocrypha. The version I have is from the American Bible Society, 1979, and has an Imprimatur. The obvious advantage is its simplicity. A real bonus are the drawings from Annie Vallotton which my daughter is mesmerized with. Another thing I like about this bible is the amount of Section Headings there are. I've never seen a bible with more. This is great especially when reading to my kids who don't have great attention spans. I know I can open it up, read a section and have their full attention for that brief moment. This version does not use inclusive language. I find this challenging when reading texts to my daughter that begin with "My Son"; although I just say 'My Child'.

I bought this bible used. It is double columned. Bleeding is minimal. The pages are thin but not too thin. My two year old son opens it a few times throughout the day and has yet to tear a page. (Although a year ago he did rip the paperback cover off my Ignatius RSV-2CE).

I said earlier that this bible is used -almost- exclusively at our home. I still prefer my beat-up RSV-2CE for personal use. I know exactly where to look on the page for a particular passage; the few notes I've taken and cross-references I've added are still helpful.

When my children are confirmed (God Willing!) I will present each of them with a more "grown up" bible. By then, my hope is that the bible will be very familiar to them.


Anonymous said...

The main Bible I use is an Asian-produced edition of the NRSV - a paperback (but a very good quality one, I should say, and which came with its own thick plastic cover) I bought for myself during a time of personal religious crisis earlier this year.

Given that it is a paperback, the binding is not sewn and therefore less durable - but since this Bible is now mainly used at home and I do make the effort to care for my books - I pray this will not be much of a problem. Furthermore, I am actually happy with this binding, as it is the right size for my Jacinto & Lirio Perseverance plant leather notebook sleeve and organizer - perfect for inserting a card rosary, prayer cards, and other notes I wrote on paper. Not something I can or would do with a hardbound or a leather-bound Bible!

It is published and distributed by ST PAULS Philippines (which is under the Society of St. Paul's Philippines-Macau province) in agreement with Oxford, and is a 2006 reprint of the first 1999 edition - which may explain why behind the presentation page is a photo of St. Pope John Paul II as pontiff (rather than Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI). The paper is light and not so unreasonably thin unlike the HarperOne NABRE; it's heavier than the latter but lighter than that of the NRSV Thinline, whose pages are admittedly also harder to turn. I'm not sure what the font is but it's a very readable 8.5- or 9-pt serif face, with noticeable spacing in between sections. Although it's all in black, the headings are all center-aligned and italicized, making it easy to spot. The text is arranged in two columns, and the footnotes are part of the columns (unlike, say, the NCV Youth Bible, whose notes are in one column underneath) and are in a still-readable 6-pt (I think) font. Although there are no thumb markers, there are gray markers along the sides.

Feature-wise, however, this edition takes it to both extremities. I love how it took from existing NRSV Bibles and include apart from the unique NRSV Concordance and presentation pages, eight pages of Oxford-made biblical maps - in addition to 64 more maps included in-text! - 12 in-text charts and line drawings, the Canadian Lectionary's tables of daily readings, a table of moveable liturgical dates, popular Catholic prayers and devotions, and even the entire DV! Unfortunately, on the other hand, there are no introductions to any book or Testament whatsoever (except for explanatory notes about Greek Esther), which I always like reading especially when I begin a new book. Furthermore, an even graver oversight for some mysterious reason I cannot fathom - the Psalms' titles are completely absent; I had to write down each title one-by-one from other Bibles. I also find it annoying that there are no cross-references; it seems to be a standard NRSV trait unless it's a study Bible you're holding, and this Bible already seemingly qualifies as one due to the sheer amount of features above.

That said, of my three Bibles (the other two being the aforementioned Thinline NRSV and HarperOne NABRE), this remains my favorite - precisely because of such supplementary materials, the fact that I've annotated it (the other two are free of my notes), and because its pages are easy to turn. However, as this is my first time to read the entirety of the Bible and subscribe to a reading plan (a self-modified McCheyne to include Catholic canon), it's both for Bible reading and basic studying, not so much for reading pleasure/prayer/reflection, and thus my OBOY Bible (though I utterly fail in that regard). For the prayerful purposes, I'd pick my Thinline, which with its limited supplementary materials, no notes from me, and portability makes for a perfect LD companion.

Thank you for a nice question for discussion Mr. Eric, and for posting it Mr. Timothy.

Anonymous said...

As a follow-up, aside from my three physical Bibles, my main electronic Bibles are the YouVersion and Lighthouse Catholic Media apps, as well as an app version of NABRE and the JB in the original French (I'm learning the said language) and Spanish (I'm trying to learn it too), and the ESV Global Study Bible because it was offered for free a few months ago.

Like Mr. Christopher, I like the YouVersion for its social features (though syncing I wish they could improve on), and I get to read the NABRE there. Unfortunately, it is only via the Internet; I do hope they make it available for download soon. I do get to read offline the Good News Catholic translation and even the KJV with Apocrypha. Actually, I hope the app becomes more "Catholicized" in terms of Bible offerings not just in English but in other languages too (such as the aforementioned JB).

I like the Lighthouse app because RSV-2CE, though I found pretty annoying the fact that virtually all notes except for those from the Gospel of John need to be purchased. I guess it'll become a digital on-the-go and Lectio Divina Bible for me instead.