CSB

The CSB Reader's Bible is designed to make it easy to sit down and just read each individual book. It is more along the lines of how it would have been read by the early Christians whose Bibles (or sections of the Bible/individual letters) were not divided into chapters and verses until many, many years after the Apostles had died. The text of this "Reader's Bible" is in a single column, like a regular book, instead being placed in two columns. It has no chapter numbers and no verse numbers. show more

This edition is a nice looking grey cloth over board volume, and includes an attached ribbon marker. The font is a nice size and seems about the size of a regular book's font and is a very readable edition. I do want to note that the pages are very thin and quite flimsy, much like, or exactly like, a regular Bible's pages. I think that the edition would be nicer if the pages were the same thickness as a regular book's. But perhaps they would have to divide it into several volumes if they did that, and it might be heavier as well. This one still works very well.

The only real problem I have with this Reader's edition is that, though they do remove the chapter numbers, they leave the chapter breaks and make the first letter of each 'chapter' large (and colored blue). To me that rather defeats the point of removing the chapter numbers. I don't necessarily mind chapter breaks in the narrative portions, and other portions that require it to make reading easier, though I do wish they would leave them out altogether in the Epistles/letters. I do wish that they had taken advantage of the reader oriented design and completely revamp the chapter breaks to make the text flow more smoothly than a regular Bible's which have (at least to my mind) some unnatural chapter breaks that disrupt the flow of thought. For example, here is how a portion of Malachi reads:

"I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

CHAPTER BREAK

For look, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and everyone who commits wickedness will become stubble."
Or as another example, in Acts, where Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin: "And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face on an Angel.

CHAPTER BREAK

'Are these things true?' the high priest asked. 'Brothers and fathers,' he replied, 'listen…."

They could have omitted the chapter breaks, kept the text together and these texts would read much better without interruption.

But all in all, this is a very nice Reader's Bible. I really like the idea of going closer to how the text was originally laid out. It is nice having other Bible editions around without the extra numbering and unnecessary dividing of the text. Again, I am not against chapters and verses, but editions like this truly do make the Bible more 'readable', as it were, and helps one to remember that "context is king". Rather than viewing the Bible as little chunks of numbered statements that can be divorced from their context, it lends more to one seeing the text as an inspired whole.

Many thanks to the folks at B&H/Lifeway for sending me a free review copy of this book. (My review did not have to be favorable) show less

First of all, this Lifeway CSB Women’s Bible with the Marigold Leathertouch® cover is gorgeous!

Let’s begin with the outward appearance. To reiterate, it’s stunning! I love the Marigold color! The Leathertouch® cover is flexible, easy to grip, and lays flat when open. The front and back cover is free from words or designs, is neatly stitched along the edges, and the white, debossed title and branding on the spine really stands out.

Inside, the pages are sturdy, have a pleasant feel, show more and very little bleed through. The single-column design gives it a clean look with occasional notes in the bottom or side margins. Stimulating full-page articles from trusted Lifeway authors are scattered throughout. For example, articles titled How to Be Still—The Practice of Meditation, Love Your Neighbor, and Paul’s Final Letter, expounding on various messages and teachings in Scripture.

I find the introductions to each book, as well as the Character Profiles interesting and enriching—causing me to see people and situations in a new way.

There are 8 full-page maps in the back (and even more throughout the Old and New Testaments) that are detailed, colorful, and easy to read, documenting important journeys through Biblical times. And always a plus for me is an attached ribbon marker, and this Bible has two!

I’m new to the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version, so this is a learning experience for me. But I have discovered some missing verses. Obviously, reading different versions will look and sound different, but the CSB has omitted text. For instance, in Matthew 18’s Parable of the Lost Sheep, CSB omits verse 11. It skips from verse 10 to 12. What is said in verse 11 isn’t combined with the surrounding verses, it simply isn’t included at all.

Matthew 18: 10-12 CSB
“See to it that you don’t despise on of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven. (vs 11 missing) What do you think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go and search for the stray?”

Now, to be clear, the omitted verse is included in the footnotes at the bottom of the page, stating: (Some mss include v. 11: For the Son of Man has come to save the lost.) But why isn’t that included in the text? I’m confused. Verse 11 is important. It’s the basis of the entire Bible. Jesus came to save us.

Another example of omitted verses: Mark 9:44 and 9:46 is missing from the text but included in the footnotes, stating: (Some mss include v. 44/46: Where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.) I’ve encountered several other omitted verses as well. And in some instances, words are replaced with something different. (i.e. the word EAGLE replaces ANGEL.)

Overall, I like this Bible, but the version will take a bit of getting used to. I plan to examine it further alongside my other versions for more clarity.

Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

#CSBWomensBibleMIN
#LifewayWomensBible
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There are so many positive things about this new Bible for women. It is overflowing with amazing features, but I especially like that the binding allows me to lay it flat, the text is easy to read, and there is even space for journaling. There are charts galore and full-colored maps to increase my knowledge, a Table of Contents and Concordance to help me navigate, and three different reading plans to guide me in reading God's Word. These plans include a 90-day plan, a one-year plan, and a show more three-year plan. I appreciate that there are numerous devotions and articles that supplement the Bible scripture and they're written by people like me---women who love God and long to grow in their faith! My only reservation is that the words of Jesus aren't in red text.

This CSB Lifeway Women's Bible is a wonderful addition to your personal library, but it would also be a lovely gift for birthdays, Mother's Day, Christmas, and even Graduation! It's rich in beauty and content, and there's a special presentation page for gifting it to those special women in your life. This Bible is truly a gem!

I received a complimentary copy of this Bible from the publisher via FrontGate Media. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my unbiased thoughts. show less

This Bible is very appealing! It has a soft cover that provides the ease of laying it flat; the font is easy to read, and there are illustrations on almost every page. Wide margins allow ample space for making notes and the illustrations and line art offer coloring enjoyment.

This CSB Illustrator's Notetaking Bible has several useful tools that make Bible study easier, including a table of contents, concordance, colored maps, and a one-year reading plan. My one objection is that the words of show more Jesus aren't featured in Red print!

This beautiful Bible is a treasure to keep but it would also be a perfect gift.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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