For years I have been searching for a bible that one could just read. Not another study bible or a bible that featured commentaries, just the black words (no small numerals or arbitrary chapter breaks) on a white page. I really resonate with Brian McLaren’s entry in A is for Abductive entitled, Versus Verses. I never cared for the breaking up of the text in verse thoughts - I understand it helps us get on the “same page” in the midst of the myriad of versions/translations, though. [Don’t even get me started that the publishers prevailed against Eugene Peterson’s wishes on not having verses and chapters as part of The Message.]

Imagine my surprise when I learned that the International Bible Society is releasing a new version of the Bible - with “readers” in mind! This is in my mind - a GREAT and greatly needed resource. An uncluttered version of the scripture with no extras (footnotes, translation notes, etc.), no chapter breaks, no verse markings in the text - merely a translation of the Older and Newer Testament. It is welcome to my eyes. Here is how the IBS is talking about this new resource entitled, The Books of the Bible:

The Books of the Bible project encourages better Bible reading, particularly by emphasizing the reading of whole books. The result is an inviting and clean visual presentation of the Bible, in Today’s New International Version (TNIV), that can be understood and enjoyed more easily. The Books of the Bible differs from the format of most current Bibles in significant ways:

Chapter and verse numbers are removed from the text
(A chapter and verse range is given at the bottom of each page)
Each book’s natural literary breaks are shown instead
There are no notes, cross references, or section headings in the text
Text is presented in one column rather than two or more
Books that have historically been divided into parts are restored
Books are presented in an order that gives readers more help in understanding

I think that this would be an excellent resource to help individuals, teens, and churches to approach the reading of the scriptures in a fresh and helpful way. Those in ministry desire for people to read, know, and live out the story of God and often complain about the lack of results. This resource holds promise for people to be able to approach reading the bible in a new way. As a result of its format and focus on the books, as wholes - it may encourage people to feel less intimidated in picking up the Bible (especially if they are exposed to it first using it in ministry settings - youth groups, small groups, christian education setting, etc.). I hope that many youth ministries will take the time to review the potential of this ministry resource. I look forward to experimenting with this new and fresh “readers bible” personally and in ministry contexts.

I spent some time reading some of the samples from this new resource - I would encourage you to check it out.