Berean Study Bible. God. 2020. 1504 pages. [Source: Gift]
First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The Berean Study Bible is a (relatively) new translation recently made available in print. It has been available online at Biblehub.com since 2016 (I believe.) It is important to realize, however, that it is not your traditional "study" Bible. It is a text-only Bible. The study element is what you put into it by being a Berean (Acts 17:11). You put in the work, the effort, the energy--and it will be a study Bible
Because it is so new and perhaps you haven't heard of it or learned of it, I'll take a few extra steps in this review. From their website, "The Berean Study Bible is a completely new translation based on the best available manuscripts and sources. Each word is connected back to the Greek or Hebrew text, resulting in a transparent and honest text that can be studied for its root meanings. The Berean Study Bible text is the result of a careful translation and styling process to maintain core meanings and produce an English text of high literary quality, effective for public reading, study, memorization, and evangelism. We believe that the Scriptures are meant to be studied and shared freely. Just as Paul encouraged the churches to pass on his letters, we are developing digital resources that will be free to access and free to share in websites, apps and software."
I first read this translation in 2021. I read it the second time this year (2022). I used the Five Day Bible Reading Plan. I started on January 1, 2022 and finished March 4, 2022. I read multiple "days" per days. Some days reading just three or four days' worth of readings. And some days reading five to seven days' worth of readings. This plan takes a somewhat chronological approach. I wouldn't say it's strictly chronological. The psalms seem to be almost completely randomly sprinkled throughout the readings. If there was an order or reason for their arrangement, it went way over my head.
I discovered that while I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the translation. (Still think I'm holding back a little bit on how much I love this translation). I am not a big fan of the 5 day reading plan.
I am so glad I gave into my urge to reread this one so soon after finishing it the first time. It does feel like coming home; the translation does feel JUST RIGHT.
About the print edition, the layout is great. Good size font. A good bit of space on each page. (Perhaps not enough for notetakers, but this isn't claiming to be a notetaker's edition). Nothing looks crowded or crammed. It is black letter!!! The only slight negative is that it is a bulky Bible. It is a bit heavy. But once you've got where you're going, once it's on your lap or on the table/desk in front of you, you forget all that.
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