Holy Bible: New King James Version

This is a well-printed economy version of the bible. In the tiny footnotes, it does indicate where the text differs from the earliest versions of the bible, which did not contain the last 12 verses of Mark, for instance, but the footnotes say things like, "but these passages are included in hundreds of other manuscripts." Which is purely dishonest, since these manuscripts are all later versions where these verses were tacked on. The translation retains most of the strengths of the original King James Version, with the omission of "thee" and "thou" and other archaic forms, but at least reading the 23rd Psalm in this translation doesn't make you wince like it does in the NRSV or some other translations, which are perhaps more accurate, show more but lose the poetry entirely. For an unbeliever like myself, there is much to recommend this translation--especially if I squint enough to make out the tiny footnotes! show less

This review is a bit unusual. Typically a book review focuses primarily on the textual content. In this case, however, if you're considering a purchase, the content is already a given - it's the Bible! The value of this edition rests largely on its formatting and binding, although I will give some attention to the content, as well.

The translation used for this particular Bible is the New King James Version (NKJV). I was thrilled to see Cambridge begin to print this translation, as the NKJV is my personal favorite for study. It is a "formal equivalency" translation (meaning it is translated essentially word-for-word, rather than thought-for-thought) with a high level of accuracy. It is the only modern translation I'm aware of which uses show more the same textual basis as the KJV. The NKJV, however, avoids the unfamiliar "thee" and "thou." It replaces other archaic words with words in current use (which not only increases understanding, but decreases misunderstanding) and, in a few cases, gives a more specific or more accurate translation. Words which have been added by the translators for the sake of English text flow are italicized so they're easy to spot. Readers who dislike the triquetra will be glad to hear that it does not appear on, or in, this edition.

If you're looking for a Bible with "study notes," this is not the one you want. If, however, you are looking for a Bible suitable for personal study, this one is perfect. The center column contains textual notes and cross-references, but there are no commentary-style notes to distract from or influence your studies; the text is simply permitted to speak for itself. The wide margins (approx. 1-1/4" lower and outer, approx. 3/4" upper and inner) allow plenty of space for note-taking. The paper is a bit thicker than standard Bible paper, as well, to decrease the chance of bleed-through. I usually take notes with a pencil, myself, but a standard ballpoint pen seems to work fine on these pages. An additional thirty-two pages (sixteen sheets) of lined notepaper are provided at the back. These immediately follow alphabetized index space for indexing your notes (or making your own alphabetized references).

The concordance is extensive, for an in-Bible concordance, spanning a whopping one hundred sixty-four pages of three columns each! There are also sixteen pages of full-color maps. (I wish, though, that someone would create a better map of the Exodus. It seems that the same basic map has been in every Bible for the past fifty years, and it is clearly incorrect.) The maps are indexed, as well.

Aside from the Exodus map (which is no different from any other Bible), I only have two concerns with this edition. One is minor, and one will make a difference only to certain individuals. My minor issue is that this is a red-letter edition. If I were creating my "perfect Bible," I would use all black text, but the red-letter text certainly is not causing me a problem, and some readers will view it as a benefit. The other concern is that the text is a bit on the small side. It isn't what I would consider "tiny," but those with limited visual acuity (as, perhaps, those whose eyes are getting "older") will probably have some difficulty reading it.

Having looked at the content and the formatting, we now come to the binding, and, wow, I don't think I can say enough; I was oohing and ahhing before I even had it completely out of the box, the cover on this edition feels so nice! This is the softest, supplest leather I've ever felt - it is just amazing. Although this same wide-margin NKJV is also available in a hard cover if you're on a tight budget, I recommend one of the two leather options if you can possibly afford it. The durability of leather protects the precious contents better than any hardcover could, and the flexibility of leather, in my opinion, has a much better allowance for the movement of the pages, which helps the binding hold up longer. All of the Cambridge Bibles, however, are made of the highest quality, designed for longevity. The pages are sewn, not glued, so they will not fall out. This also enables the Bible to open up flat for ease of reading and note-taking.

If you're looking for a NKJV from which to study, I believe this is the best one available, hands-down. show less

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Start date: October 15, 2024
End date: December 23, 2024

This will definitely be my last Bible review for 2024.

The NKJV Verse Art Bible is a great choice--mostly.

What I absolutely loved:
The two column format
The size of the font
The size and weight of the Bible
The feel of the tru-tone is pleasant
The cross references being on the bottom of the page
The translation itself

What I didn't love:
The red letter
The ghosting

I would say the ghosting is not a deal breaker. However if the paper was just slightly better quality, I think this would be a super amazing wonderful text block. I think the formatting is great, just the ghosting is unfortunate. Again, it didn't stop me from show more loving this one and reading it cover to cover.

I think if this one was black letter, I would never stop gushing about this edition. Alas, it is red letter. show less

The cover grabs attention of especially young girls right away with the, at the moment, very popular sequin changing cover. Kept in white and gold, it gives off a quality impression and is something those girls who no long like pink are sure to enjoy.

This Bible holds the New King James Version, and those spots where significant differences were found form in the Greek New Testament are pointed out in the footnotes. The first page gives a chance for the giver to personalize the Bible followed by a short area for the owner to put in a small family tree. Then—and I found this especially nice—there's a short explanation concerning 'Why Should I Read the Bible?' which is written at a level for girls 9 and older, and attempts to make the show more Bible personal right away.

There are illustrated pages strewn within the Bible, which offer deeper thoughts and answers to questions like ' How Do I Pray?' or 'How Do I Know Jesus Loves Me?'. These are again written at the level of the intended audience, are short and followed by Bible verses, which can be referenced to.

Several 'helps' are also found within the pages. At the beginning, there's a timeline, which is illustrated and points out the more significant moments of the Bible. At the end, there is a list with the names of God used in the Bible, a quick list of Jesus' miracles, a list of the disciples, a list of kids in the Bible and several, nicely illustrated maps to help readers get a better idea of a few of the locations mentioned in the Bible.

The pages are, as always, thin and hold smaller print. There isn't any room for personal notes, which I find disappointing, but this isn't a study Bible in that sense. Rather, it's a Bible for girls to hold precious and enjoy reading or seeking out more about God.

My own daughter couldn't wait to get her hands on it because of the sequins, but has, since then, grabbed it up many times during the last weeks and read in it.

I received a copy from Booklook Bloggers and find it to be a lovely Bible, many girls are sure to enjoy. show less

This was my second time to read through this Bible. The first time I did not write or underline in it. This second time through I have begun. I will add more each time I read it through perhaps. (The first read through ended in February 2024.)

I love, love, love, love, LOVE the layout of this Wide Margin Bible in the Sovereign collection published by Thomas Nelson. It is DOUBLE COLUMN. It is red letter. [I would have preferred black letter, but you can't have everything.] The margins are just about perfect.

There are many New King James text-only Bibles out there. There are probably even many wide margin New King James Bibles out there. I love the quality of the Sovereign collection.

Is it a must if you already have a New King James show more Bible you love? Probably not. But if you are looking for either a wide margin Bible [this one comes in the New King James and the King James Version] OR a NKJV with great layout, then this one is worth considering. show less

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Start date: January 22, 2025
End date: August 1, 2025

Brief thoughts on the NKJV translation: This translation is in my top five. I do love it. I do use it. I do keep coming back to it.

I listened to the NKJV audio bible narrated by Tinasha LaRay on YouVersion over many months--January through July essentially. I was following a specific Bible reading plan: "Reading God's Story" by George Guthrie, I believe. It is a chronological reading plan. YouVersion currently has two narrators for the NKJV.

This was my first time to listen to the Bible all the way through using an audio Bible. I found the narration to be good, pleasant, uplifting for the most part. It was clear show more and easy to understand. While the words were annunciated, they did not seem overly emphasized or unnaturally emphasized. The narration was smooth and had a flow to it.

I listened for the most part while doing more 'mundane' (but necessary) tasks: prepping meals, cooking, cleaning, checking emails, etc. This was never my 'main' way to feed--to feast--on the Word of God. I think I'll always prefer a print Bible for that. However, this was a way to absorb the Word in bits and pieces as I went about my daily life. As such because it never had my absolute sole attention, I do feel I probably missed bits and pieces that if this was my only 'reading' of the Bible I would have regrets about my split attention. show less

New King James Version, Sovereign Collection, Wide Margin. God. (Thomas Nelson Publisher). 2022. 1696 pages. [Source: Bought] [Bible]

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

This one was a birthday present. 2023 was the year I discovered I actually liked the New King James Version. This was my FIRST experience with a wide margin Bible.

I love, love, love, love, LOVE the layout of this Wide Margin Bible in the Sovereign collection published by Thomas Nelson. It is DOUBLE COLUMN. It is red letter. [I would have preferred black letter, but you can't have everything.] The margins are just about perfect.

There are many New King James text-only Bibles out there. There are probably even many wide margin New King show more James Bibles out there. I love the quality of the Sovereign collection.

Is it a must if you already have a New King James Bible you love? Probably not. But if you are looking for either a wide margin Bible [this one comes in the New King James and the King James Version] OR a NKJV with great layout, then this one is worth considering. show less