Top 10 Bibles

The ESV Study Bible, released in October 2008, has received tremendous praise. Not only do great Bible teachers and scholars like John Piper, Mark Driscoll, R. Albert Mohler Jr. and R. Kent Hughes endorse the ESV Study Bible, my very own Bible study teacher (my pastor's wife) gives it high marks. In March 2009, the ESV Study Bible became the first Bible ever to win the Christian Book of the Year Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). Selling out as soon as it reached bookstores, it also took the prize for best Bible. The ESV Study Bible is definitely a front-runner on my Bible study shelves.

The NLT Study Bible is a recent and well-received addition to my Bible study armory. For starters, the New Living Translation presents God's Word in language that's incredibly clear and easy to grasp. It's simply a joy to read, because, as frequent readers attest, "I get it—all of it!" Year after year, one of my ongoing goals as I read through Scripture is to comprehend the Bible in its entirety, as a complete, unified work. The NLT's comprehensive book introductions and master timeline have really helped me progress in this area.

The Life Application Study Bible is one of the best study Bibles to help you understand God’s Word as you read, and teach you how to apply its truth to your daily life—your job, family, friendships, problems and questions. The study notes are right at the bottom of each page, so you don’t have to search for them. The Life Application Study Bible comes in several popular translations, including NIV, NLT, NASB, KJV.

The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible has a unique reference system that allows you to follow any subject, person, place or idea, from the beginning of your Bible to the end. I believe it is one of the best topical study tools ever put together. It’s especially handy for teachers who need to prepare their own Bible study lessons. Durability and hand craftsmanship make it perfect for those who really use their Bible.

The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible is great for Bible school or seminary students. Most of us don’t have time to learn another language while in Bible school. This Bible will help you unlock the extensive vocabulary and elaborate structure of the original Hebrew and Greek languages. Features include Strong's Concordance numbers, exegetical notes, lexical aids and much more.

Looking for a Bible to bring the Word of God alive and relevant to your life in today’s modern world? The Message is a contemporary rendering of the Bible in everyday language. It is one of the most reader-friendly Bibles available. There’s no doubt that Eugene Peterson, when he paraphrased The Message, did it with the goal of speaking to modern minds and reaching the human heart.

Do you struggle with reading? Do you spend a great deal of time in your car? The Audio Bible Dramatized CD might be the perfect Bible for you. This fully dramatized, highly professional version allows you to experience God’s Word as though you have entered into the text. It features the complete Bible on a 64 CD set with fully orchestrated background and sound effects.

The Amplified Bible is another great Bible for those wanting to understand the meaning of Scripture in the original Greek and Hebrew language. No need to study or dig for those rich nuances found in the original biblical languages—this Bible does it for you. With a unique system of brackets, parentheses and italics, the Amplified Bible expands key words and defines phrases as you read. Verse by verse, the full meaning of God’s Word is plainly revealed.

The Starting Point Study Bible is an excellent Bible for new believers or believers who recently rededicated their lives to Christ and need to make a fresh start. This Bible will help you begin (or start over) on your journey with Christ by teaching you how to build the proper foundation of faith. It will also help you apply biblical truth to your daily life.

Do you like to compare text from different versions of the Bible? The Comparative Study Bible brings together four major translations—the New International Version, the New American Standard Bible, The Amplified Bible and the King James Version. The double column, two-page spread allows you to easily read and compare the text in all four versions.