Customer Reviews

NASB Classic Companion

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I wish Amazon had more information about this Bible, since it is such a good one, and you can't really tell that from what's given.

First of all, this Bible has what's called "single column" text. This means that the lines go all the way accross the page, as in an ordinary book. The advantage to this is that it is very easy and conveneint to read, as opposed to the more choppy half column text. This was the main reason I got this Bible as opposed to many of the other ones, since it is soooo nice to have single column text.

Furthermore, unlike a few single column Bibles, this one is indented by paragraphs, as opposed to being indented verse-by-verse.

The text is a nice size, slightly larger than most Bibles (that I've seen, anyway), and is clear and easy to read.

Furthermore, the page is only the text and is not cluttered with cross references or notes (not that those are bad, it's just that I personally like it better without them :-). There are, however, footnotes indicating alternate readings, explanations of possibly confusing terms, etc.

The cover is very nice, as the previous reviewer mentioned, and feels good when you're holding it. The outside of the pages are a very bright, shiny gold, which is pleasing to the eye (it is to mine at least).

There is also a ribbon-marker, which is very convenient.

There are short book introductions and outlines as well.
At the back, there is a read through the Bible in a year plan, which has you read 5 chapters a day at the beginning, because your enthusiasm will be high, and gradually goes to 4 and then 3 chapters, since your ambition will begin to wane in the middle of the year. It then picks back up toward the end, since you will have that final "push" to get done. After this, there is a counselor's index, which lists various Scriptures that deal with various subject you might encounter when wanting to "counsel", or help, someone (or yourself!).

There is also a concordance.

There are no maps at the back. I don't mind this at all, since I never use them anway, but perhaps you do, in which case you can consult another Bible or "The Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance", which has many EXCELLENT maps (they are really good - the best I've ever seen).

The words of the Lord of the Universe, and Savior of all who put their faith in Him to save them and be the Master of their life (see Romans 10:9-10), Jesus Christ, are in red print.

And finally, the updated NASB, as I'm sure you know, is one of the best translations available. It combines accuracy (especially with verb-tenses, which are VERY important in studying a passage) and ease of reading. In fact, it is one of the only translations to regularly say "so that" instead of just "that". Seriously, how many people say "I got a degree that I could be an engineer"? No one I know. They would say "I got a degree so that I could be an engineer". ... It just drives my crazy sometimes....

Well, with that tangent over and done with, I hope that I've given you enough information to make an informed purchase, or lack thereof, but remember, ultimately it is not which Bible you get or which translation, etc., it is WHAT YOU DO WITH IT that counts. "Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." James 1:22.

I agree wholeheartedly with the review below. This is probably the best NASB in print. The combination of Single-Column formatting and paragraph format make it the most readable NASB. (most are two column and the notorious verse format). You will enjoy reading the poetry and OT prophets not oddly chopped in half like most other Bibles do. Bonded leather and gold trim round it out to make it a real winner. It does lack the cross-references, but if you have any other Bible, you can use those. The counselors index is also a nice addition. More useful than a bunch of maps.

As far as choice of translations, the NASB is not the only translation I read, but it is a good one. I teach the students in our Bible classes to avoid translations that have a philosophy of dynamic equivalence-- most notably the NIV. This is not because the NIV is a horrible Bible, but because it removes you one step further away from the original Word of God than you alredy are. You will fine many many places in the NIV that are not actually translated from the original text, but are "interpolated" by the translators. If you find the NASB choppy, try also the ESV or HCSB, which both strive to readable but literal, and do a great job.

OK it's the Bible I know!

I'm not going to review the Word of God here. Suffice it to say it's living and active and can speak into your heart by the power of the Holy Spirit if you ask God to do that! And that doesn't depend on the translation so long as it's faithfully translated evengelical translation.

This particaular version is a leather bound Bible which is asthetically pleasing.

The coolest thing however is the single collumn format which really brings the Old Testament poetical stuff and New Testament letters alive. Rather than the Anglised, sound bite version which can be hard to get a proper sense of the flow of the text. This really gives you the impression of what the orginal felt like to read.

Enjoy and let the living creator speak into your heart!

This Bible is wonderful. Not only is it NASB (probably the best translation available), but it also has only a single column! Some Bibles annoy me because they try to squeeze the text into two or more columns, squishing the text. The single column really enhances the readings of books such as Isaiah, Psalms, and Proverbs.

It's a great, inexpensive NASB Bible for casual reading, but definitely not a good study Bible (it wasn't made to be one, I don't think). It's just very nice and simple.

My biggest problem with the Bible was that it did not provide the references to quoted portions of the Old Testament in the New. Even a non-study Bible should have footnotes so we know where Jesus or Paul were quoted from in the Old Testament. They're in block lettering, and that's about it. It's a minor problem, however, and I am still extremely pleased with this Bible. So... buy it, read it, study it, and get to know the Author.

This is one of my favorite Bibles. Not only is it reasonably priced, it is also very well constructed, with a better Smythe Sewn binding than the Cambridge Plain text KJV I reviewed a few months ago. The bonded leather is a bit stiffer than the Cambridge example, but, overall, it is very well constructed for an inexpensive Bible.

The pages are pretty thin and the result is a reasonably thin Bible, less than 2" thick. Being a basic Bible, it contains no maps and only a very limited concordance, but also incudes a Counselor's guide which is helpful for the casual reader. While not a reference Bible, it is much easier to read than the usual two column format due to the unique single column format. The typeface is very readable, with one exception: the verse number in many cases, is too close to the leading character of the verse.

In short, though, you can find this very nice Bible, brand new or in "like new condition", for less than $30 at reputable sellers. I have obtained three additional copies for friends for less than $25, including shipping. Now that Nelson owns World Publishing, it will be interesting to see if they continue producing this version of the NASB. If you are a fan of the NASB, I highly recommend this Bible. I have yet to show someone this version who did not "Oooh!" and "Aaah!" over the single column format. I've also noticed that Crossway is publishing a single column format Reference ESV, a translation that I also admire, but I am not a fan of Crossway quality. I don't believe they use Smythe binding at all, which is a shame. The Thinline ESV I bought my wife 6 months ago is already looking quite worn (she does read it every morning, but carries it no where). Again, I highly recommend this Classic Companion edition, if you can find it.