Rating: 
Summary: Moveover NIV? Yep!
Review: Although opposed to the Greek textual premise used to translate the English Standard Version, I nevertheless find it to be the best and most conservative (note, for example, the welcome changes to "virgin" in Is. 7:14, and "propitiation" in Rom. 3:25, both contra RSV) of all the "modern versions" out there. For the serious biblical student who accepts the verbal-plenary inspiration of the Scriptures, most of the current offerings (e.g., NRSV, NIV, CEV, TM{Peterson}, LB, NEB, REB, etc.) must be viewed with caution due to their spurious translation philosophy (the Westcott-Hort Theory). One even wonders why the various Bible publishing houses find it necessary to continue to release new versions, or revisions of versions (and even revisions of revisions of revisions, as in the case of the KJV-ERV-ASV-RSV-NASV-NRSV chain), each heralded as "the best" or "most accurate" by the publishers (with, of course, the obligatory endorsement of this theologue or that) year after year, unless it be for the "GOG" factor (i.e., GOOD OLD-fashioned GREED), since we surely have enough of these translations to last us till kingdom come. But the ESV, arising out of a desire to bridge the gap between the stilted accuracy of the NASV, and the casual charm of the RSV (upon which the ESV is based, differing only 6% from the RSV text) strikes a welcome balance for those desiring a translation that is both readable and faithful to the wording of the originals. The ESV's main drawback is the rather cavalier attitude shown, following most modern translations, to place in the margins various verses from the AV (which is based upon the "Textus Receptus," which in turn, is basically the Majority text, that Greek text derived from 95% of all extant Greek MSS) which it feels are textually unreliable. That aside, this (leather) edition of the ESV strives to disalign itself with any denominational interpretation (notice book introductions and cross references). Overall, the English Standard Version is to be recommended as a fine backup translation for the student to consult when the difficult wording of the King James Version needs clarification, as it occasionally does. It should have no problem replacing the NIV AND its puzzling popularity in spite of its inaccurate format.
Rating:
Summary: Now thats what I call a bible
Review: Fantastic - it arrived yesterday, 4000 miles to England in under 5 days from ordering - well done Amazon! When I opened it I thought "here at last is the bible I've been looking for for years"!
Rating: 
Summary: Not as Literal as you been told
Review: I always wanted a translation that had the poetic sound of the KJV, but not so hard to understand. Well, I found one in the English Standard Version. It can be read like a poem and it is easily understood. I use it in my daily devotional and study. Thank you Crossway for a wonderful bible.
Rating:
Summary: Great translation
Review: I always wanted a translation that had the poetic sound of the KJV, but not so hard to understand. Well, I found one in the English Standard Version. It can be read like a poem and it is easily understood. I use it in my daily devotional and study. Thank you Crossway for a wonderful bible.
Rating:
Summary: Easily My Favorite Translation
Review: I am not a Biblical expert...just a believer in the Word of God. I have enjoyed the ESV translation since it came out in 2001, and now it has been released in a higher quality printing. Previously, there have been problems with the quality of the ESV printings and bindings. With the current deluxe version of the Classic Reference Bible, all those binding and printing problems seem to have been solved. Now I can read my ESV without worrying if the stitching will come loose or the glue on the binding will detatch! I am enjoying my genuine leather binding, and I can'w wait to see what the calfskin binding is like!
Rating:
Summary: What the NRSV Should Have Been
Review: I enjoyed reading the RSV for many years but was disappointed with the NRSV for its lack of consitency and its awkward implementation of "inclusive language". The ESV is a very well done updating of the RSV. It retains the literalness, accuracy and eloquence of the RSV while updating the language to modern usage. It takes a more consistent and sensible (in my opinion) aproach to inclusive language. I always found the NIV language to be too simplified and the NASB too rigid. The ESV reads beautifully (even better than the NKJV) and has become my preferred translation over the many I have tried. Finally, a suitable replacement for my old, beloved RSV. I was also glad to see that this edition does not have a red letter New Testament. Somtimes its hard to find a nice bible that isn't red letter.This black genuine leather bound edition seems to be very durable. The gold-edged paper is strong and thick enough so that the printing on the reverse side of a page doesn't bleed through much. It has wide margins and the print is easy to read. I expect (and hope) it will last for many years of daily reading. It comes with pretty good CD-ROM software that lets you quickly look up passages on the computer (It would be nice if there were a Mac version instead of just Windows) and cut & paste them into a word processor.
Rating:
Summary: What the NRSV Should Have Been
Review: I enjoyed reading the RSV for many years but was disappointed with the NRSV for its lack of consitency and its awkward implementation of "inclusive language". The ESV is a very well done updating of the RSV. It retains the literalness, accuracy and eloquence of the RSV while updating the language to modern usage. It takes a more consistent and sensible (in my opinion) aproach to inclusive language. I always found the NIV language to be too simplified and the NASB too rigid. The ESV reads beautifully (even better than the NKJV) and has become my preferred translation over the many I have tried. Finally, a suitable replacement for my old, beloved RSV. I was also glad to see that this edition does not have a red letter New Testament. Somtimes its hard to find a nice bible that isn't red letter. This black genuine leather bound edition seems to be very durable. The gold-edged paper is strong and thick enough so that the printing on the reverse side of a page doesn't bleed through much. It has wide margins and the print is easy to read. I expect (and hope) it will last for many years of daily reading. It comes with pretty good CD-ROM software that lets you quickly look up passages on the computer (It would be nice if there were a Mac version instead of just Windows) and cut & paste them into a word processor.
Rating:
Summary: What the NRSV Should Have Been
Review: I enjoyed reading the RSV for many years but was disappointed with the NRSV for its lack of consitency and its awkward implementation of "inclusive language". The ESV is a very well done updating of the RSV. It retains the literalness, accuracy and eloquence of the RSV while updating the language to modern usage. It takes a more consistent and sensible (in my opinion) aproach to inclusive language. I always found the NIV language to be too simplified and the NASB too rigid. The ESV reads beautifully (even better than the NKJV) and has become my preferred translation over the many I have tried. Finally, a suitable replacement for my old, beloved RSV. I was also glad to see that this edition does not have a red letter New Testament. Somtimes its hard to find a nice bible that isn't red letter. This black genuine leather bound edition seems to be very durable. The gold-edged paper is strong and thick enough so that the printing on the reverse side of a page doesn't bleed through much. It has wide margins and the print is easy to read. I expect (and hope) it will last for many years of daily reading. It comes with pretty good CD-ROM software that lets you quickly look up passages on the computer (It would be nice if there were a Mac version instead of just Windows) and cut & paste them into a word processor.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent translation, binding needs improving
Review: I find the ESV translation to be one of the best translations available for accuracy. I also like the NASB. I will not spend time discussing the translation as many have already done so. What I'd like to address is the binding quality and general construction of the Genuine Leather edition.
I actually returned my Bible because of the, what I will refer to as, poor quality of construction. the pages are attached to the binding in such a way as the paper near the binding is "puckered" up and down the entire height of the page. As someone else noted, this makes the pages crinkle when turned and something is just not right about this. I even called the publisher to discuss this issue and the person I spoke to went into the warehouse and opened another Bible which had the same problem I was describing to him.
Furthermore, the genuine leather cover is nice quality leather but the way it is put together and attached to the inner pages is suspect. Particularly the back cover...there is a 1/2 inch wide, thick strip from top to bottom, where the paper is attached to the leather which causes the leather to "crease" at this point. Over years of constant opening and closing, I suspect this could be problematic to the longevity of the leather cover.
So unless Crossway can improve the quality of construction of this Bible, I'd research other options.
I rate the actual ESV translation 5, the genuine leather cover and binding method 2, and overall I give it a 3.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent translation, improving quality
Review: I gave the original Classic Reference Edition 3 stars: 5 for the translation and 1 for the poor production quality. It was actually so bad that I never used the Bible. Enough has been written on the translation itself. It's accurate, readable, and yet retains a literary quality missing in the NIV and NASB. It deserves to be read and used widely. It, more than any other translation, deserves to become a common Bible among believing Christians. This Deluxe Edition (I purchased the hardcover) has taken a step forward in regard to the production values. The type is now comfortably readable at a 10.2 point size. And, though Crossway denies it, the type seems darker and more legible than the original edition--perhaps attributable to the larger point size. The paper used is good, thick enough to prevent bleed-through and it has a nice flat non-glossy surface that is non-reflective and easy on the eyes. The binding and general typography still need work. A more pleasing font and layout would go far in speeding the adoption of this Bible. All in all, this is an excellent translation of the Bible that is now presented in a useable format. I can now recommend this Bible to you without reservation.
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