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Reader's Bibles

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by rlvaughn, Jan 29, 2018.

  1. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    I haven't noticed any current threads/discussions of "Reader's Bibles" -- the Bible without verses and chapters that break up the text.

    Anyone use a Reader's Bible? If so, which one? How do you like it? What are its pros and cons?

    Thanks.
     
  2. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. Rob_BW

    Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    Psalms in block form does seem...a bit off, no?
     
  4. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    Yes, it seems so to me, although that may not affect the readability as much as it affects looks. Worse to me, is that Ward says the Psalms aren't numbered (if I understand correctly). Reading the Psalms straight through isn't the same as reading Deuteronomy straight through. Each Psalm is a separate song.

    Apparently the Holman Reader's Bible is currently the only option in the KJV. Of course, I'd assume (though I haven't looked in depth) that there aren't a lot of "Reader's Bible" options, period.
     
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  5. Rob_BW

    Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    Psalms, translated by e e cummings and James Joyce.
    :Biggrin
     
  6. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    There is a 6 volume Crossway Esv set...
     
  7. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    Nice, but at $200 to $500, I'll have to pass!
    So far no one has admitted to owning or using one? Objections? Too expensive? Redundant (as in, already have too many Bibles)? Not available in your preferred version?

    Within a few days I expect to have one. I'll let you know what I think.
     
  8. Rob_BW

    Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    Chapters and verses don't feel like a hindrance to me, and I'd rather keep my cross references and footnotes.
     
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  9. McCree79

    McCree79 Well-Known Member
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    I see no need for it. I have no objection to the format, it just isn't for me. The Crossway set is well made and attractive. But it would do nothing but set on my shelf.

    Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
     
  10. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    I don't read from a Bible that has cross references and footnotes, so I won't miss that. I don't feel like chapters and verses are much of a hindrance, but I admit that they could be -- if we perceive of thoughts ending at the ends of verse or chapters (and I expect some people do).

    I find the subject more of a curiosity than a problem, but I am curious to see if it "feels" different to read the Bible without chapters and verses.

    In his Bible Typography Manifesto, Mark Ward (the KJV-Quiz guy) claims that "typography is a major but often overlooked source of meaning, for good or ill, in any book" (Note that he says the "manifesto format is tongue-in-cheek, but the upshot is serious.") He even has a 47 minute video presentation there on Why Bible Typography Matters. He says typography carries meaning that we receive without realizing it, but also admits the issue is basically a "first-world" problem.
     
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  11. Rob_BW

    Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    No argument with that.

    Things as minor ad a comma can throw quite a wrench into interpretation.
     
  12. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    The softcover set is 49.99 at CBD
     
  13. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I have the New Testament as one and it is really nice! It changes it a bit so it is fresh and new for me so I've enjoyed reading the NT this way. Someday I'll get the entire Bible in reader form. :)
     
  14. Rob_BW

    Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    You'd think one of the study sites would just develop a "reader mode" button.
     
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  15. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Why is it six volumes? You'd think a bare bones 'readers Bible' would be a shorter than a normal one.
     
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  16. Rob_BW

    Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    You've got to have those fashionable wide margins. Probably only average 8 words across.
    :)
     
  17. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    Even getting down in a more reasonable price, I draw back from the idea on having to use a Bible that is in 6 separate volumes.

    Right, it would seem so!

    Looks to me like those most expensive ones are kind of "collector's editions." Part of what makes it bigger, it seems from the ads, is large type (12 pt), wide margins and thicker paper. But six volumes?
     
  18. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    Now that is an excellent idea, Rob. I like it. (Maybe you ought to patent the idea, fast!)
     
  19. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    I have an Esv reference bible, and like the single column format in it.
     
  20. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    Well, I ordered and have received the KJV Reader's Bible. I have started reading it. Have finished Deuteronomy and Joshua, staring on Judges. Right now I am just reading through like reading any other book, and I concur that it increases the readability of the text. I sensed it almost immediately when I began reading. It was flowing smoothly. No chapter and verse markers along the way distracted me from the goal of reading. I would not suggest that it helps one read with greater comprehension. But it does add (and remove) something so that the reader can concentrate on reading.

    The Bible is nicely done, though I would have preferred leather over the leather-like hardback. No need to get picky, since this is apparently the only KJV Reader's Bible available. I read one Psalm, and didn't find the paragraph format problematic -- but it does look odd. One other quirk I notice when I got to Joshua is that the capital letters beginning a verse was not removed when sentences did not end at the end of the verse. For example, Joshua 13:7-12 looks like this (but not bolded, which I am using to point out what I mean):

    Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh, With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the Lord gave them; From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon; And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon; And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah; All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.

    These letters wouldn't normally be capitalized in a paragraph. No biggie, but I did find it a little distracting after I first noticed it.
     
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