The English Standard Version (ESV)

[1]: http://kpmartin.www62.a2hosting.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/esv-tr.png
[2]: http://www.crosswire.org/sword/servlet/SwordMod.Verify?modName=ESV&beta=true&pkgType=mac

The English Standard Version is a fairly new English translation of the Bible which, as I understand it, tries to be as literal to the text as possible while trying to avoid some of the sometimes wooden phrasing found in very literal translations like the New American Standard. I tend to like this side of the spectrum for Biblical translation, and had been looking forward to the ESV’s release.

Then it came. One day, strolling through a Northwestern Bookstore, I saw I beautifully covered ESV. Nice leather embossed with almost Celtic artwork. Beautiful.

Then I opened it. Ugh.

Under this wonderful cover, these carefully translated words were printed on the worst paper I’ve ever seen. Seriously. I couldn’t believe it. I opened another, then another. I gave up on the leather bound and tried different form factors… all the same dreadful paper.

Now everyone’s used to the wispy thin paper Bibles are often printed on. I am, too. I have a few. But this paper allowed me to see the “shadow” of text even three or four pages deep! I would have bought one that moment – I might have even bought two, one for a gift – but the paper made it nearly unreadable.

Well, while in Arkansas last week (I’ve some story telling to do on *that*), I found a hardcover “pew” version of the ESV which finally had a different and better paper. And I bought it. And I like it. Even though I don’t get the smooth, cushy feel of the leather. sob

Anyway, the ESV has moved from doghouse to acceptable (yes, admittedly on issues of form, but still, reading has to be readable) to downright Make Me Giddy because of [this][1]. That’s a screen grab of the free [MacSword](http://www.macsword.com/). But look carefully. I found a beta version of the ESV texts for it! WOW! With Strong’s!

Right now, NASB is my favorite. Maybe ESV will replace it. It certainly makes me more interested to use it since I have a searchable copy. Though I really hope the Greek will someday be my primary New Testament.

5 thoughts on “The English Standard Version (ESV)”

  1. link for ESV for Macsword please!!! :)

    I just bought a Macbook couple months ago, and one thing that i really miss is E-Sword with ESV. That would be so awesome.

    Rick

  2. I’ve been searching for over an hour for it, and tried several different search strings and didn’t find that link! I tried macsword beta esv, esv beta, macsword esv, none of which worked. All I had to do was drop the mac part [sigh of frustration].

    Thanks very much for your help…

    Rick

Leave a Reply to Rick Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.