I just started a new company called Ministry Notebook. This is an online store where I will create and sell PDF notebooks for ministers, pastors, teachers, preachers, missionaries, students, anyone who studies the Bible, anyone who reads the Bible, and more. The notebooks are built by hand and meant to be used with PDF apps such as Goodnotes, Penly, and similar apps.

Digital Preacher’s Notebook

My first product is called the Digital Preacher’s Notebook. It provides templates to develop and write sermons and similar messages. It contains 29 pages that include 5 categories, 6 home pages, and 19 reusable templates. Copy any template and place it anywhere within the notebook. The templates include fields to help you through the process, and you can use the templates and fields that work with your process. Create sermons, a verse or passage commentary on the entire Bible, study the Bible with passage, topic, and word studies, create a library of resources, and use the regular notebook templates to expand it even further.

The regular templates include lined, dotted, graph, checklist, and blank. There’s no limit to how you can use them. For example, you can write the Bible by hand, create a personal journal, create custom reading plans, and more.

More Ministry Notebooks

This is the first of many notebooks that I have planned. I build them by hand, based on actual use and feedback. I won’t rush a notebook just to get it on the market. I plan each one carefully and test them extensively. Just like any creative endeavor, I get ideas from lots of places, but I won’t copy anyone else’s work. Also, I won’t produce a notebook just to have something to sell. Each notebook is designed to fill a real need and purpose.

Where to Buy Ministry Notebooks

I’m planning to sell my Ministry Notebooks from my branded website (I’m a web developer, so I had to make a website), any social platforms that allow it, and Etsy.

The post Introducing Ministry Notebook appeared first on Bible Buying Guide.

Cambridge has just released the NRSVue Diadem. This is a hand-sized reference edition that’s ideal for carrying and reading, making it a great edition for fans of the NRSVue. It’s available in several colors in calfskin or calfsplit leather, and with or without the Apocrypha. I’m reviewing the NRSVue Diadem in blue calfskin without the Apocrypha. This is model NR545:XE, ISBN: 9781009615266. It was printed and bound in the Netherlands by Jongbloed.

Specs

• NRSVue (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
• Blue calfskin
• Synthetic edge-lined liner
• Sewn binding
• 3 1/4″ ribbons
• 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 x 1 1/8″overall size
• 1 lb, 11.5 oz
• 32GSM French paper
• Art gilt page edges
• Double-column paragraph layout
• Line matching text
• 8.2 Lexicon No. 1
• Black letter
• 16k center-column reference
• Family pages
• Large concordance
• 15 maps
• Printed in the Netherlands
• MSRP $340

Cambridge provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.

_________________________________________________________

This Bible is available at 

Cambridge

and many local Bible bookstores

_________________________________________________________

Table of Contents

1. Binding
2. Paper
3. Typography and Layout
4. References and Footnotes
5. Front Material
6. Table of Weights and Measures
7. Concordance
8. Bible Atlas
9. Video Review
10. Conclusion

Binding

The blue calfskin is smooth with a light grain, is soft to the touch, and it’s flexible without being floppy. It includes perimeter stitching and a 3/8″ yapp (overhang). The front has HOLY BIBLE printed in gold. The text on the spine is printed in gold, and it includes 5 slightly raised spine hubs. It’s edge-lined with a synthetic liner. The edge-lined tab isn’t too stiff, so it has little trouble staying open in Genesis. The text block is sewn. It has 3 blue 1/4″ ribbons, which are long enough to pull to the corner to open the Bible. The overall size is 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 x 1 1/8″ with a trim size of 5 3/4 x 8 1/4″. It weighs 1 lb, 11 oz. This is an excellent size and weight for a Bible for all-around use.

Paper

The paper is 32 gsm from Papeteries du Leman, Thonon-les-Bains, France. It has a premium coating that looks and feels elegant. This paper is highly opaque and has a slightly cream color, making it great for reading. I found the pages easy to turn. The page edges are art-gilt with blue under gold.

Typography and Layout

The NRSVue text is presented in a double-column paragraph format. Poetry is set to stanzas. It does not set apart letters, OT quotes, or lists. Section headings are in italics. Cross-references are placed in the center column, and footnotes are placed under the last verse on the page in a small font. The header shows the book name and chapter numbers in the outer margin and the page number in the inner margin. Books start on a new page.

The font is 8.2 Lexicon No. 1 with an 8.5-point leading, typeset by Blue Heron Bookcraft. This is not a thick typeface, but it doesn’t seem too thin either. This is a black-letter edition. The print quality is fairly dark and consistent. The text is printed with line-matching, so the lines are placed in the same position on both sides of the page to minimize show-through. The text averages 7-9 words. The text is slightly dense, but there is enough space between the lines so they’re not too crowded. It has a large enough inner margin to bring the text out of the gutter.

Verse numbers are light and small, which can make them difficult to find quickly. There are no reference keys in the text. Footnotes are marked with a small letter. This keeps the text clean. The poetic settings have a lot of lines with a single word. I’d like to see them spaced a little better. I like having the references and footnotes separate. This makes them much easier to find. Overall, I enjoyed reading this layout.

References and Footnotes

The NRSVue Diadem includes 16,000 references placed in the center column. Those for the left column are aligned at the top of the page, while those for the right column are aligned at the bottom of the page. They show the chapter and verse they go to in bold. There is no indication of which word or phrase they correspond to. This edition is fairly light on references when compared to other Diadem editions. Genesis 1:1 includes 6 references. John 1:1 includes 3. You’ll need other tools if deep study is your goal, but this is enough for basic study.

Footnotes are placed under the last verse on the page, in a small print. They include the letter to key them to the text. They provide alternate renderings and explanations from the original languages, information on other ancient languages, and include manuscript variations. It identifies the languages and manuscripts. Small portions of Scripture not found in the Critical Text are placed in the footer. Larger portions of text not found in the CT are included in the text, marked with brackets. These footnotes are excellent for study.

Front Material

Here’s a look at the material placed in the front.

Family Pages

Cambridge family pages include a presentation page, family records, children, marriages, and grandchildren, all with red borders, and deaths with black borders. These are printed on thick, non-glossy pages that are easy to write on.

Chronology of Rulers During Biblical Times

This table divides the rulers into two categories, with their names and the dates they ruled. Categories include:

• Rulers During Old Testament Times
  • Judah
  • Israel
• Rulers During the Time of the New Testament
  • Roman Emperors
  • Rulers of the Herodian Territories
  • Governors

Table of Weights and Measures

This is a 2-page table with length, weights and values, coins, dry measures, and liquid measures. They include the name from the NRSVue, units, notes, the first reference, and approximate metric and imperial equivalents. This is a small table, but it is especially helpful since the measurements are not found in the footnotes.

Concordance

The concordance is 149 pages with 2 columns per page. The text is a little smaller than the biblical text. It contains 16,000 references. I’m not sure of the number of entries. It does include names, which I prefer. It seems to have a lot of entries, but there are some oddities. For example, for God, it only includes references to god (pagan), with 9 references. There are 14 references to godly. There are no other variations on this word.

Bible Atlas

In the back are 15 full-color maps with an 8-page color-coded map index. The maps are colorful and easy to read and use. They’re printed on thick, semi-glossy paper. They show routes, borders, water, distance, topography, vegetation, cities, dates, battle sites, etc.

The NRSVue Diadem has a color-coded index that shows settlements, political, physical land, physical water, travel, and Jerusalem. I prefer this type of index, and I always appreciate it when it’s included.

Maps include:

1. The Ancient Near East in the Late Bronze Age
2. Regions of Palestine and Surrounding Areas
3. Sinai and Canaan at the Time of the Exodus
4. Israel within Canaan
5. The United Monarchy of David and Solomon
6. Israel and Judah: The Divided Monarchy
7. The Assyrian Empire
8. The Babylonian Empire
9. The Persian Empire
10. The Hellenistic World after Alexander
11. Jerusalem in Old Testament Times
12. Jerusalem in New Testament Times
13. Palestine in the New Testament
14. The Roman Empire
15. The Eastern Mediterranean in the First Century AD

Video Review

Conclusion

The NRSVue Diadem in blue calfskin is an excellent hand-sized Bible for all-around usage. Falling between the sizes of the Clarion and Pitt Minion makes it easy to handle and use for everyday carry. Like the CSB Diadem, and unlike the other Diadem editions, this one doesn’t have a matching Pitt Minion or Wide Margin edition. The NRSVue Diadem is an excellent version of the NRSVue.

_________________________________________________________

This Bible is available at 

Cambridge

and many local Bible bookstores

_________________________________________________________

Cambridge provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.

The post Cambridge NRSVue Diadem Bible Review appeared first on Bible Buying Guide.

The Sing! Hymnal Lay-Flat Edition with Chords from Crossway is the latest version of the Sing! Hymnal from Keith and Kristyn Getty. This edition includes all of the music, poetry, and liturgical readings of the previous edition, but it’s larger, has a larger print, a ring binding, and adds chords, making it a great choice for musicians. It was printed in China.

• Purchase from Amazon (affiliate)
• Purchase from Crossway

Cover

The Sing! Hymnal Lay-Flat Edition with Chords has a hardcover with a spiral binding. The cover seems to be coated with vinyl. It is black with gold stamping and includes a slight grain. The large spiral makes it easy enough to turn pages, but like all spirals, it does take a little more care. The build quality feels rugged. The overall size, including the spiral, is 8.5 x 10.75 x 1.75 inches, and it weighs around 3 lbs, 15.4 oz. The spiral is 2 inches. This is a touch large and heavy when compared to most hymnals, but it does sit well on a piano or music stand. This is my favorite type of cover for songbooks, hymnals, journals, and notebooks. This makes it a lot easier to use when playing an instrument. I’m a guitar player, and I often sing. I’ll take this design over any hardcover-bound hymnal.

Paper

The paper is a 70gsm acid-free custom paper with a creamy color. It’s highly opaque and easy to turn. It doesn’t feel too fragile and works well with the spiral. Even though the description says 8″ x 11″ pages, the final cut measures 7 x 10.5.

Content

The content includes songs, liturgical readings, and Psalms blended on the page. The top of the page shows the topic, but not all topics are in the topical index. For example, the page shows Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, etc., but these are not found in the index. All content is numbered in a large, dark red font and set in the Trinité typeface. The font is around 10-point, which is 1 point larger than the other Sing! Hymnals. There is a lot of space between the lines, making it great for singing and reading.

Songs

The Sing! Hymnal Lay-Flat Edition with Chords contains 497 classic and contemporary hymns. They cover a wide range of topics, so it’s easy to find a song to sing. They include two-note sheet music above and below the lyrics with chords above the top staff. The spacing is excellent, making this an excellent layout to sing from. Many of the songs are in copyright and require a license to sing them in public, and you’ll have to get the license from each license-holder independently. Unfortunately, it’s not clear what’s in the public domain. Any of the songs can be sung in private at home.

Chords

This edition adds chords above the top staff. They’re large and stand out, making them easy to see when playing. It includes slash chords (such as A/G, or A over G, which is an A chord with a G as the lowest note). This makes the Sing! Hymnal Lay-Flat Edition with Chords a great choice for lead sheets and for guitar players. It does not include a chord chart, but there are plenty of resources online and in print if you need them.

Liturgical Readings

Throughout the hymnal are 403 liturgical readings, each printed with the author’s name. They include quotations from classical and contemporary writers and theologians, such as Augustine of Hippo, John Bunyan, John Calvin, H. B. Charles Jr, Billy Graham, Francis of Assisi, C. S. Lewis, Martin Luther, J. I. Packer, John Piper, Dane Ortlund, Charles Spurgeon, and Joni Eareckson Tada. They match the theme of the song and verse, and are typeset as poetry. These are interesting, but they add to the size of this hymnal, which isn’t ideal if you just need songs.

Psalms

Psalms and other verses from the ESV and KJV are paired with the hymns. They’re typeset as poetry and do not include verse numbers in the text, but it does give the reference in the title. These also add to the bulk of the hymnal, but I can see them being useful if you want more than just songs.

Stories

In the back are brief stories about each hymn. It includes the hymn number, title, and a brief story about the hymn, the author, date written, the circumstances of its composition, the Scriptures it’s based on, thoughts about the hymn, and more. I am a fan of stories about music and I’m glad these were included.

Notes and Indexes

There are several tools with notes and indexes in the front and back to help you find songs and other information. The indexes help find specific songs, including by author, meter, tune, Scripture, etc.

The Topical Index and headings on the songs are mismatched. For example, Christmas songs include the heading “Christmas”, but “Christmas” is not a topic in the index. I’d like to see these headings included in the topical index.

Indexes include:

1. Readings Copyright Index
2. Hymn Sources
3. Hymn Meters
4. Hymn Tunes
5. Scripture Index
6. Topical Index
7. Titles and First Lines

Notes for This Edition

This shows how to use the chords. The information covers multiple rhythm instruments, vocal harmony, using a capo with a guitar, using the online resources for this hymnal, etc. It also encourages us to annotate our own voicings and modifications to fit a specific style. Most of this is easy enough to follow if you’ve played an instrument for a while.

Comparisons

Here’s how the Sing! Hymnal Lay-Flat Edition with Chords compares to the other two Sing! Hymnal editions.

Hardcover

Goatskin

Video Review

Conclusion

The Sing! Hymnal Lay-Flat Edition with Chords is the largest of the three editions, but it’s the best version for musicians. It has a larger print than the other editions, and the spiral binding lets it stay open on every page. Unless you get the license, some of the songs can only be sung in private. This makes the Sing! Hymnal Lay-Flat Edition with Chords an excellent hymnal for home or private use with an instrument.

For more information about The Sing! Hymnal, including the full songlist and downloadable sheet music, please visit SingHymnal.com.

• Purchase from Amazon (affiliate)
• Purchase from Crossway

Crossway provided this hymnal in exchange for an honest review.

The post The Sing! Hymnal Lay-Flat Edition with Chords appeared first on Bible Buying Guide.

Cambridge recently released their version of the KJV Westminster Reference Bible in both dark blue and black goatskin. I wanted to compare them with the latest Jongbloed printing from TBS, but mine was the previous version printed by Print Corp. TBS agreed this would be a good comparison and sent me the latest edition. In this review, I’ll show what is the same and what is different. For content details, see the TBS Westminster review.

What is the Same as Cambridge

The content printed on the Bible pages is the same. This includes:

• 33GSM French paper
• 2 columns of text
• 200,000 cross-references and translator’s footnotes in the margins
• Glossary on the page
• 9.6 font
• Chapter summaries
• Tables of Weights and Measures
• Word pronunciation guide
• 2-year reading plan
• Concordance
• Letter to King James/Translator’s to the Reader
• KJV and Westminster user guides

See my Cambridge review for more information about The Cambridge Westminster Reference Bible.

Unboxing Video

Calfskin Cover

While the Cambridge editions include black or dark blue goatskin, leather edge-lined liners, three matching ribbons, and red or blue art-gilt, the TBS retains its standard black Miriva calfskin leather. The cover is a touch thicker than the previous edition, and the grain is slightly more prominent. The edges are rolled over to the liner with no perimeter stitching. The spine includes 5 hub indications, and the text is printed in gold.

A thick card between the leather and vinyl liner gives it enough stiffness to make it easy to handle. It was built with reinforced binder’s tape, so this cover should last for several years. This edition lies perfectly flat on any page. It includes four 1/4 inch ribbons: two in black and two in red. Head and tail bands are gold and brown. The overall size is 6 3/8 x 9 x 1 5/8. and it weighs 2 lbs, 8.8 oz.

Paper

Although the TBS edition does not identify the paper, my contact there said it is the same as the Cambridge edition: 33GSM from France. This is different from the previous edition made in Belarus by Print Corp. This paper is smoother, has a very slight cream tint, and feels premium. I like the paper a lot. The previous edition was white and slightly rough. The current paper is better for reading, in my opinion.

Front Matter

Where the Cambridge has a few blank pages followed by their standard presentation and family pages, the TBS edition uses these blank pages to present some important Scriptures about the word of God, followed by a standard presentation page.

Maps

Rather than Cambridge maps and a color-coded index, the TBS edition includes 8 bold color maps printed on thick non-glossy paper. All locations stand out. It does not include an index, but the maps are annotated well, and the names are printed very large. Maps include topography, distance, water, routes, capitals, borders, Scripture references, commodities, trade, subjection, royal residence, fortresses, events, dates, etc.

Maps include:

1. Time of the Patriarchs
2. The Exodus
3. The Twelve Tribes of Israel
4. Undivided Kingdom
5. Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
6. The Persian Empire
7. Holy Land in the Time of Christ
8. Paul’s Missionary Journeys

Conclusion

The latest TBS edition of the Westminster from the Netherlands is a well-made Bible at a price that’s hard to beat. It has the same features that it’s always had, but I prefer this paper and cover to the previous edition. While Cambridge improves on this Bible with premium leather, ribbons, more maps with an index, and art-gilt, TBS provides a high-quality edition at a more affordable price point. They also have a hardcover edition with the same text block that’s even more affordable, and there is a Kindle edition, so you can get this Bible in almost any price range.

Where to Purchase

TBS

Interior Photos

TBS provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. 

The post TBS Westminster Reference Bible – 2026 appeared first on Bible Buying Guide.

I have received Cambridge’s version of the KJV Westminster Reference Bible in both dark blue and black goatskin. Here’s a look at the new covers and at what’s different between the Cambridge and TBS editions.

What is the Same as TBS

First, the content printed on the Bible pages is the same. This includes:

• 33GSM French paper
• 2 columns of text
• 200,000 cross-references and translator’s footnotes in the margins
• Glossary on the page
• 9.6 font
• Chapter summaries
• Tables of Weights and Measures
• Word pronunciation guide
• 2-year reading plan
• Concordance
• Letter to King James/Translator’s to the Reader
• KJV and Westminster user guides

For content details, see the TBS Westminster review.

The Cambridge Westminster Reference Bible will be released on March 26th.

Amazon (affiliate)

Black

Dark Blue

Cambridge

Black

Dark Blue

Unboxing Video

Goatskin Covers

Both editions have a thick leather that’s flexible and elegant. They have a pebbly grain, perimeter stitching, Holy Bible printed on the front, text and the Cambridge logo printed on the spine, and five raised hubs. The printing on both covers is gold. Both covers have an edge-lined leather liner. The tabs were stiff out of the box, but I think they will break in well after enough use. And, of course, they have sewn bindings. Both have three 1/4 inch double-sided satin ribbons. They’re long enough to comfortably pull them to the corner to open the Bible easily. The overall size is 6.5 x 9.25 x 1.75 inches, and they weigh 2 lbs, 9.8 oz. Both editions include clamshell boxes that match the cover.

Black

The black goatskin has a black vinyl end sheet. The art-gilt is red under gold. The color is closer to salmon when opened. All three ribbons are the same shade of red, which looks great against the black and gold. The head and tail bands are striped in gold and red.

Dark Blue

The dark blue goatskin has a dark blue vinyl end sheet. The art-gilt is blue under gold. It’s more of a hint of blue. A few pages near the front and back have a darker blue than others. The ribbons are three different shades of blue. Two are a medium shade, and one is dark. The head and tail bands look to be black and white stripes.

Front Matter

Where the TBS edition contains pages with verses, the Cambridge has a few blank pages followed by their standard presentation and family pages. These include a “Belongs to” page, Family Record, Children, Marriages, Grandchildren, and Deaths. The page for deaths is outlined in black, while the others are outlined in red.

Cambridge Maps

Rather than the TBS’s 8 maps, the Cambridge Westminster has the standard 15 pages of detailed maps. They have bold colors, but they’re not as dark as the TBS edition. They’re printed on thick non-glossy paper, and include borders, import commodities, dates, routes, passes, settlements, distance, topography, mountains, cities of refuge, cities, tribes, vegetation, kingdoms, battle sites, satrapy, city walls, city gates, older city walls, seven Churches of Asia, and lots more.

The Cambridge Westminster also includes an 8-page color-coded map index printed on the same thick paper. They show the settlements, political (nations, provinces, and regions), physical land, physical water, travel, and Jerusalem. This is one of the best indices I’ve seen. I’m glad to see it included because it makes the maps much easier to use.

Maps include:

1. The Ancient Near East in the Late Bronze Age
2. Regions of Palestine and Surrounding Areas
3. Sinai and Canaan at the Time of the Exodus
4. Israel within Canaan
5. The United Monarchy of David and Solomon
6. Israel and Judah: The Divided Monarchy
7. The Assyrian Empire
8. The Babylonian Empire
9. The Persian Empire
10. The Hellenistic World after Alexander
11. Jerusalem in Old Testament Times
12. Jerusalem in New Testament Times
13. Palestine in New Testament Times
14. The Roman Empire
15. The Eastern Mediterranean in the First Century AD

Conclusion

Cambridge improves my favorite cross-reference Bible. The Cambridge edition adds a premium cover and ribbons, but the greatest improvement for me is the 15 Cambridge maps with the map index. I like and recommend all versions of the Westminster, and it’s great to see a premium option with the maps upgrade while retaining the rest of the content that makes the Westminster such a good Bible for all-around use.

Where to Purchase

The Cambridge Westminster Reference Bible will be released on March 26th.

Amazon (affiliate)

Black

Dark Blue

Cambridge

Black

Dark Blue

Interior Photos

Cambridge provided these Bibles in exchange for an honest review. 

The post Cambridge Westminster Reference Bible appeared first on Bible Buying Guide.

Here’s my quick look at the Alexander Maclaren Study Bible in the New King James from Thomas Nelson.

Purchase from Amazon (affiliate)

This Bible was provided by Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

The post Alexander Maclaren Study Bible NKJV – quick look appeared first on Bible Buying Guide.

The Cambridge Clarion is one of my favorite series of Bibles. Until now, the premium cover has only been available in black goatskin with a synthetic liner. Cambridge has now produced the ESV and KJV in a buttery-soft calfskin with a full yapp and a leather liner. They’ve also produced the ESV in a green goatskin with a leather liner. All three have upgraded ribbons. The 1769 KJV has 28GSM Indopaque paper, while the 2016 ESVs have 32GSM Primabible paper. I will review the covers of all three editions, printed in the Netherlands by Jongbloed.

For the full review of KJV content, see my previous KJV Clarion review.

For the full review of ESV content, see my previous ESV Clarion review.

_________________________________________________________

This book is available at (includes some affiliate links)

Amazon

Calfskin KJV

Calfskin ESV

Goatskin ESV

Cambridge

Calfskin KJV

Calfskin ESV

Goatskin ESV

_________________________________________________________

KJV Green Calfskin

This is ISBN 9781009725170.

The cover is green Buffalo calfskin with a full yapp. The green is dark, muted green with a hint of yellow, but I wouldn’t call it olive. It’s extremely soft and flexible. The leather is thick, but not too thick. The full yapp touches on all sides and includes perimeter stitching with a thread to match the cover’s color. An etched line traces around the textblock. The grain is deep, with a lot of color variation. This is the kind of grain and color variation that stands out to me, and is easily one of my favorite covers. This cover looks and feels elegant. The spine includes 5 raised hubs and gold printing.

The edge-lined liner is black leather. The liner is also soft to the touch and has a visible grain. The corner work looks fantastic. I would like to see a gilt line around the inside to add to the elegance. The edge-lined tab isn’t too stiff, so the Bible stays open in Genesis without closing. It does need to break in a little, though, before it will lie flat in the first few chapters of Genesis.

The three ribbons are Berisfords, and they are double-sided satin. Mine has a variation in size. Two are 5/16″ wide, and one is 1/4″ wide. The width fits the overall size of the Clarion. Each has a different shade of muted green that looks great with the cover. They’re straight-cut and just long enough to pull to the corner to open the Bible. The head/tail bands are yellow and green.

ESV Burgundy Calfskin

This is ISBN 9781009725095.

The cover is burgundy Buffalo calfskin and matches the KJV except for the colors. It’s soft and flexible with a thick leather and a full yapp that touches on all sides. Perimeter stitching includes a burgundy thread to match the cover, and an etched line traces around the textblock. It also has a deep grain with a lot of dark color variation. The spine has 5 raised hubs and gold printing. This is my personal favorite of the three covers. It looks and feels the same as the green for the KJV, but I prefer this color.

The edge-lined liner is black leather with excellent corner work. Like the KJV’s cover, it isn’t too stiff and doesn’t close when using it. After it breaks in with use, it should stay fully open at the beginning of Genesis.

Unlike my KJV, all three of the double-sided Berisfords ribbons are 1/4″ wide, which is a good size for the Clarion in my opinion. Each has a different shade of red/burgundy/wine that looks great with the burgundy cover. They’re also straight cut and long enough to pull to the corner to open the Bible. The head/tail bands are yellow and red.

ESV Green Goatskin

This is ISBN 9781009726900.

Aside from the liner, the green goatskin leather looks and feels like the other goatskin Clarion editions. It’s a more solid green than the calfskin on the KJV, so it’s closer to olive, but it’s still darker than olive. Like the other goatskin Clarions, this one does not have a yapp. The grain is pebbly, and it’s the same thickness as the calfskin. It’s soft and flexible, but not as soft and flexible as the calfskin editions. It includes perimeter stitching with a green thread that matches the cover. The spine has 5 non-raised hubs and gold printing.

The edge-lined liner is the same black leather as the calfskin editions, which is soft to the touch and has a visible grain. I’m not sure why, but the edge-lined tab seems a little stiffer than the calfskin editions. It will stay open in Genesis, but it tries to close a little more. It’s still usable, but I think it will need a little more use before it breaks in.

This one also has three double-sided satin Berisfords ribbons. Each is a different shade of green, and they’re greener than those on the KJV. All three are 1/4″ wide, straight cut, and just long enough to pull to the corner to open the Bible. The head/tail bands are yellow and green.

Video Review

Conclusion

All three covers are excellent, but I love the buttery soft calfskin. I like the goatskin, but these calfskin covers solidify my love for calfskin done well. They’re buttery soft, and I love the colors and color variation. The green goatskin is a welcome change from the standard black. I like that these Clarion Bibles have three Berisfords ribbons and that they’re not too wide for this small footprint. Although I like 28GSM paper, I would love to see the KJV have 32GSM paper to match the ESVs. As they are, these new Cambridge Clarion covers are excellent and are easy to recommend.

_________________________________________________________

This book is available at (includes some affiliate links)

Amazon

Calfskin KJV

Calfskin ESV

Goatskin ESV

Cambridge

Calfskin KJV

Calfskin ESV

Goatskin ESV

_________________________________________________________

Cambridge provided these Bibles in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The post New Cambridge Clarion Calfskin and Goatskin Covers appeared first on Bible Buying Guide.

Purchase (when it’s available) KJV Store

Photos

Here are the photos:

The post KJV Store Reader’s Edition – My First Look appeared first on Bible Buying Guide.

In the upcoming release, Logos is bringing the highly requested Study Assistant feature, which allows you to continue the conversation with Smart Synopsis by asking follow-up questions to delve deeper into biblical and theological topics. This new tool uses AI to search your personal Logos library, analyze the results, and generate cited answers, giving you a powerful research tool that won’t try to write your essay like a general AI chatbot.

Be sure to check out the Logos Black Friday Sale (affiliate).

Getting Information with Smart Synopsis

Smart Synopsis is an AI tool that uses your library to find answers to your questions. To use the Study Assistant, go to Search and select Bible or Books. Ensure that Smart is selected as your search engine, and then enter your search query.

The Study Assistant is an option in the Synopsis window. An icon will show you that the search is assisted by AI.

The answers are from your library. The AI tool only finds those answers. It’s only a search tool, so it won’t tell you anything that’s not in your library. This is a good use of AI and requires AI credits. However, you might need to ask follow-up questions to help narrow down the answers. The new Study Assistant adds the ability to ask those follow-up questions.

Continuing the Conversation with Study Assistant

Normally, that would be the end of the study questions. The new Study Assistant lets you keep going with your research. Scroll to the bottom of the Synopsis and click Continue in Study Assistant.

This opens a new Study Assistant tab where you can ask follow-up questions. This new window also lets you see recent results, create a new question, and adjust the font size. Just like the Synopsis, all of the citations are labeled, tying them to the sources.

Asking a follow-up question works a lot like other AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, with the exception that your library is its only source of information. It continues labeling the citations. You can copy and paste the content into any editor.

You can continue the conversation for as long as you want, or you can start a new conversation by clicking New in the upper left corner of the Study Assistant window.

Conclusion: an Excellent Study Assistant

The new AI Logos Study Assistant works well. I like that the results are only from your library. I found it easy to use, and I was pleased with the results. As long as you have enough resources in your library, I can see this being a valuable tool for all Bible research.

Be sure to check out the Logos Black Friday Sale (affiliate).

The post New Logos Bible Software Feature: Study Assistant appeared first on Bible Buying Guide.

The Sing! Hymnal from Keith and Kristyn Getty is more than a songbook. It’s a blend of music, poetry, and popular hymns. It’s designed for private and family worship at home (or for public worship, but many of the songs require a license for public usage). It includes 497 classic and contemporary hymns, liturgical readings, psalms paired with popular hymns, stories about the hymns, and indexes. The Sing! Hymnal website includes a full list of the hymns with downloadable sheet music. It was printed by RR Donnelley in China.

• Purchase from Amazon (affiliate)
• Purchase from Crossway

Covers

The Sing! Hymnal is available in several covers. They are larger than most hymnals in all directions, which could make them difficult to use. Some are easier than others, depending on how you need to use them. The cloth-over-board seems to be a good option for almost anyone, since it stays open. The goatskin cover doesn’t stay open well, so it needs to be held with two hands, so it’s not a good option for musicians. The overall size is 6.25 x 9.25 x 1.75 inches, and it weighs around 2 lbs, 13.5 oz. This is a touch large and heavy when compared to most hymnals. Both editions have white page edges.

There is another option that’s great for musicians, which is spiral-bound and includes chords, but I don’t have it to compare. That’s the one I’d recommend the most, since it would lie perfectly flat on every page, which is ideal for playing an instrument while singing.

Cloth Over Board

The green cloth-over-board includes gold printing on the front and spine, and includes debossed designs and spine hubs. It looks elegant and is my favorite of the two I have. It stays open to any page, but pages in the front and back don’t lie flat, so some of the lyrics and sheet music bend into the gutter on these pages. This one has two 1/4 inch ribbons- one in cream and one in brown. They’re long enough to use easily. I like that it has two ribbons. This makes it easy to turn to a few songs quickly.

Goatskin

The goatskin is a thick leather and has a deep pebbly grain. It looks the same as their Heirloom Bibles, with perimeter stitching, raised hubs, gold printing, a leather liner, a decorative gilt line, and it is edge-lined. The edge-lined tab is stiff, making it close for the first 120 songs. Also, it causes a hump, so the words bend away from your eyes. Unfortunately, this one is not practical for musicians. It works fine if you can hold it open with both hands. I’m sure this is its primary purpose. It has a 3/8 inch gold ribbon. The ribbon is a touch short, but it’s still usable. I prefer the two ribbons in the cloth over board, because there are two and they’re longer.

Paper

The paper is 70gsm. This is a custom paper that’s creamy in color, and it’s acid-free. It’s highly opaque and easy to turn, and it looks great. This is the kind of paper I expect to see in a hymnal.

Content

All of the text is set in the Trinité typeface. The content includes songs, liturgical readings, and Psalms, together on the same pages. The top of the page shows the topic of the content. All content is numbered in a large, dark red font. The font is around 9-point, and there is a lot of space between the lines. This is great for singing and reading.

Songs

The Sing! Hymnal contains 497 classic and contemporary hymns. They include simple sheet music above and below the lyrics. The spacing is excellent. This is the easiest layout to sing from any hymnal I’ve used. Many of the songs are in copyright and require a license to sing them in public worship. You’ll have to obtain the license from each license-holder independently. All can be sung in private worship at home.

Liturgical Readings

Throughout the hymnal are 403 liturgical readings. These liturgical readings include quotations from classical and contemporary writers and theologians. This includes Augustine of Hippo, John Bunyan, John Calvin, H. B. Charles Jr, Billy Graham, Francis of Assisi, C. S. Lewis, Martin Luther, J. I. Packer, John Piper, Dane Ortlund, Charles Spurgeon, and Joni Eareckson Tada. They match the theme of the song and verse, and identify the author. They’re presented on the page as poetry.

Psalms

Psalms and other verses are paired with the hymns. They’re from the ESV and KJV. They’re printed in a poetic format. They do not include verse numbers in the text, but it does give the reference in the title.

Stories

In the back are stories about each hymn. It provides the hymn number, title, and a brief story about the hymn, including information such as the author, when it was written, the circumstances of its composition, the Scriptures it’s based on, thoughts about the hymn, and more. I enjoy stories about music and found these fascinating.

Indexes

There are several indexes to help you find songs and other information.

Readings Copyright Index

This lists the sources for the liturgical readings. It’s a bibliography.

Hymn Sources

This lists the writers of the hymns, along with the song numbers for all of their hymns. This is good if you want to find all of the hymns from a specific author.

Hymn Meters

This lists each meter and shows all of the song numbers with that meter.

Hymn Tunes

This shows the song that’s known for the tune, and then provides song numbers for each of the songs that use that tune.

Scripture Index

This shows the Scripture and all of the song numbers for each Scripture. This is great for finding all of the songs that go with a specific theme or message.

Topical Index

The Topical Index includes lots of topics to help you find the right song for the occasion. Unfortunately, the topics listed don’t match the headings on the song pages, which could make the songs difficult to find. Topics such as Christmas and Easter are hard to find. They’re listed under “Jesus, Birth of”, “Jesus, Death of”, “Jesus, Resurrection of”, etc. The songs themselves show Christmas and Easter as the headings.

Titles and First Lines

This provides the title of each song along with a portion of the lyrics, making them easier to locate. This is the one I find the easiest to use.

Conclusion

The Sing! Hymnal and an excellent hymnal for home use. It’s made well, and the interior is gorgeous. It does have a few quirks, though. The goatskin edition wants to close, and the text bends away from the singer if it’s not held open. The Topical Index and headings on the songs are mismatched. For example, Christmas songs include the heading “Christmas”, but “Christmas” is not a topic in the index. I’d like to see these headings included in the topical index. Many of the songs require a license to sing in public worship. Not everyone will need liturgical readings or Scriptures on the page with the hymns. I still like this hymnal, though, and I think it would be a great edition for home use. For musicians, I recommend getting the spiral-bound edition with chords, which I hope to review next year.

For more information about The Sing! Hymnal, including the full songlist and downloadable sheet music, please visit SingHymnal.com.

Crossway provided these hymnals in exchange for an honest review.

The post The Sing! Hymnal appeared first on Bible Buying Guide.