Let’s talk Bibles for this edition of Free Book Friday.
It’s early in the new year, and many have resolved to read the Bible more this year.
We may be living in the golden age of Bible availability, and free Bibles, while Bible reading itself continues to decline.
Here’s some great free Bibles to help you in your Bible reading.
YouVersion
YouVersion offers a tremendous free Bible app for your smartphone and tablet. You can also read online at bible.com.
It offers hundreds of Bible translations, absolutely free (& ad free), as well as many good Bible reading plans.
Carry the word of God in your pocket all the time.
If you don’t have this installed on your phone and tablet, go get it now. Seriously.
BibleGateway
My online Bible of choice for use on the computer. BibleGateway offers over 100 translations free. It is great for searching the Bible and quickly comparing different translations.
Blue Letter Bible
Need to do some serious word study on a passage? Blue Letter Bible has tremendous Hebrew and Greek tools. It’s easy to study the original languages of the texts, even with limited knowledge of Hebrew and Greek. This resource is so good you probably don’t need to buy one of those fancy $300 Bible software programs.
Free Bibles for your Kindle
There are many good Bible translations available free for your Kindle, or Kindle app on your phone and tablet. The free translations include the ESV and HCSB. The KJV is available for $.99. My current translations of choice, the NIV and CEB are not free, but can be purchased for a few dollars. Watch for deals on the NIV Study Bible. Regularly priced at over $20 for the Kindle version, it often goes on sale for less than $5 at strategic times, like New Years and Holy Week.
Printed Bibles
It’s great to have free Bibles available. I love having the Bible on my cell phone when I need it. Searching the Bible electronically is better than with the old school concordance. Yet, having a good printed Bible can’t be beat for distraction free focus on God’s word. Here a few great printed Bibles I’ve recently discovered. While not free, they are worth your investment.
Women’s Sanctuary Devotional Bible
I recently discovered this Bible. This is a beautifully designed NLT Bible, featuring highlights of verses about God’s presence and peace in our lives. I wish it was simply called the Sanctuary Bible, because I want one.
The CEB Study Bible
This is great new Study Bible featuring full color pictures and maps. The Study Notes are informed by the best of modern scholarship while seeking to grow the reader in faith. Dr. Ken Schenck, Wesleyan Bible scholar and Dean of Wesley Seminary wrote the study notes for the book of Hebrews.
CEB Bible for Daily Prayer
My current Bible for devotional reading. It’s a handsomely packaged version of the CEB text paired with helps for engaging prayer practices as you read. There are great insets on “Praying the Psalms” and “Praying with Jesus,” as well as a Bible reading plan and a helpful guide for practicing traditional prayer practices.
Do you have a Bible recommendation to offer?
Let us know in the comments.
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