New American Standard Bible

This is my favorite translation of the Bible to study with.

I downloaded the updated version of this, with the Digital List price of $6.99 (actually paid $5.59), NOT the one with the digital list price of $2.99.I was worried about finding a Bible that I could navigate easily on the Kindle, recognizing that the basic purpose of the Kindle doesn't really lend to using the Bible the way most of us use it. I've been wanting to have a copy of an NASB Bible, since both my Sunday School teacher and pastor have recommended it. Here's my thoughts on this version:Kindle navigation: I can understand some of the frustrations others have voiced, but you do have to wait for the Kindle to index this as another reviewer mentioned. I tried it with the sample first, and it worked well. It's taking a while longer with the full version, but that's logical. However, even if it never indexes it completely, there is a built-in navigation that is faster than I can usually find anything in a hard-copy of the Bible. From the menu, the default option is "Go to." After choosing that, choose "Table of Contents." You can then choose the book, then the chapter you're looking for. You could also use bookmarks, but that may become complicated if you make a lot of them.NASB version: So far, I like this version. Previously, I've used NKJV and NIV. As noted above, I wanted to try this version based on reliable recommendations. After using it just today for my first day of reading through the Bible in a year, I can already recognize some differences that in my opinion clarify some verses. For example, in Gen. 1:2, the NASB reads, "the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters" instead of "was hovering over the surface of the waters." It presents an images that I think is more consistent with the nature of God, and certainly does not detract. Also, in Matt 1:19, the NASB reads, "Joseph . . . planned to send her away secretly" rather than "send her away quietly." Those are the types of differences I am noticing. It is very easy to read without being so conversational that it loses meaning.The NASB also puts certain words in italics that they have added to better clarify but that were not literally in the actual original text. This may sound alarming, but putting it in italics lets you see where there may be differences in version. And I haven't seen any of these yet that did anything but clarify.

Actually, I chose this Bible over another slightly more expensive Bible that had wide margins because one of the reviewers here said this Bible contained a comparably good concordance. Well, I probably should have chosen the wide-margin one, since, as of beginning of 2006, the Bible they are shipping (I'm talking of the hardcover edition) doesn't have a concordance. The usual lists of Jesus' parables, Old Testament prophecies Jesus fulfilled, Jesus' miracles, and the "Where to find help when ..." which is always there in Gideon Publishers free Bibles. Other study helps include 10 maps (black-and-white, but very detailed), and a reading plan to read through the Bible in a year. That's pretty much it.Otherwise, 2-column text, rather narrow margins (see my customer images), words of Christ in black (which I prefer) and a high-quality hard cover. I've had a similar one earlier and I can tell it can withstand a lot of battering :). The paper is ok, has some bleed-through, but is not very thin. The binding is thickly glued and on a fabric base, so, though it is not exactly smyth-sewn, it will hold long (again, see my customer images).To sum up the physical characteristics, this is your basic Bible, but a one that can really live longer than some bonded-leather Bibles (again, I'm talking about the hardcover edition). My personal disappointment about the absence of a concordance aside, for a price of 10 dollars, this is a very decent deal. So I am giving it 5 stars.To say a couple of words about the NASB text, it was already mentioned by other reviewers that its accuracy is its most valuable asset. Some people complain that the style suffers because of that. I disagree. A "good style", for an average reader, is in reality plain style. I read a lot, and have read the Bible a lot, and I have a good memory, so sometimes when re-reading something that I've read only recently, I notice that my mind skips over very familiar passages. With a Bible, where every word is a gem to be explored, this is not exactly good. But a style that is slightly "out of place" makes my eye stop here and there, and it has its own vividness, which I greatly appreciate.

NASB Large Print Pew Bible (Black, Hardcover Cloth)If you like the New American Standard Bible without all the bells and whistles that come with a larger study bible, you'll love this one!Though not a study bible it does come with its own study aids that you won't find in the others. For example, it includes a list of the parables, allegories, similes and proverbs that have characteristics of parables. It includes a list of all the miracles of Jesus, the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Christ as well as a genealogy of Jesus. Some other helpful study aids are "Where to Find Help" for times when you're afraid, your faith is weak, feeling far from God, or ill or in pain, and many more.Plus there is also a list of all the titles given to Jesus as well as their significance and where to find them, and also a list of the 12 apostles of Jesus. Finally, it includes 10 very well made black and white maps which I find are easier to read than those in color.Though not a large bible, it has over 1,250 pages of good quality paper, printed with a dark ink that doesn't bleed through. Coupled with the fact that this is a larger print bible, it's very easy on the eyes; even for someone who's over sixty and wears bifocals!The bible itself is of excellent quality, a cloth-bound hardback, which lays flat on the the desk regardless to where you turn to in the bible. If there were any downsides, there might be two of them if you're really picky: one is that it's double-columned and, two, the words of Christ are NOT in red. However, for me, those are a plus!