If you're a fan of the NET Bible, you probably know this already, but Bible.org recently announced the availability of the new Compact Edition, which is available in traditional black and burgundy, as well as red and black "Amazona" (with croc print with snap closure) and "SuppleMax (tm) Tan." The bindings are sewn, and introductory prices begin at a very reasonable $14.95. According to the specs on the site, the type size is 8 pt. and instead of the original 60,000+ translators' notes, you get a condensed set of 7,722.
At the other end of the price spectrum, Tyndale has released the Tyndale Select NLT, a deluxe edition of the New Living Translation bound in calfskin with a Smyth-sewn binding and 9.8 pt type. I haven't had a chance to look at one of these yet, but I have seen the bonded leather box it comes in, which is quite nice. Follow the link above and you can download a PDF brochure that includes a few close-ups of the product, including a nice view of the cover's grain. The Tyndale Select NLT retails for $135. Most publishers offering Bibles in this price range don't give you much to go on visually when ordering online, so it's nice to see the brochure made available on the product page.
I am increasingly enjoying the NLT (2nd edition) as a free translation to use in comparison with my ESV. However, I cannot find an edition of the NLT that does not employ the dreaded red letter. Can anyone help?
Posted by: David Dewey | November 30, 2007 at 12:56 AM
The only non red letter edition of the NLT that I can find is the personal size Life Application Bible.
Posted by: Ted | November 30, 2007 at 04:50 AM
While I have not held any printed editions of the NET Bible (just ordered one today) I was impressed when I read that ALL of their printed editions are symth sewn. I can only wish that everyone would do this. A Hand finished Goatskin or calfskin cover does not matter to me in comparison to pages falling out of a glued binding.
Posted by: matt | November 30, 2007 at 11:15 AM
>> "However, I cannot find an edition of the NLT that does not employ the dreaded red letter."
Even worse is that the vast majority of Tyndale's NLT printings are done with a bright pink ink (compared to red or even burgundy). That said, I'm happy to report that the newer printings of the Text Edition hardback (ISBN 0-8423-8489-8) are printed with darker red ink and the lines are properly aligned between red/black ink settings (something that hasn't always been the case). Tyndale had indicated earlier this year they were switching to the darker ink for all their new printings, but they must not have accomplished that yet.
Posted by: ElShaddai Edwards | December 01, 2007 at 08:07 AM
One thing I find annoying about most editions of the NET bible is the printing of the chapter number beside every verse number. What is the purpose of this? I wish they'd drop it. Fortunately their Greek-English diglot doesn't do this and that's the only edition I own.
Posted by: Ted | December 01, 2007 at 10:48 AM
I found another black letter edition of the NLT in the store yesterday. It was called the New Believer's Bible.
Posted by: Ted | December 02, 2007 at 09:46 AM
I received my compact NET Bible today. I wasn't expecting "Premium" leather for $14.95. It is "Premium Bonded Leather"(?), but they don't state the word "Bonded" on the website. The cover has a distinct cardboard feel to it. I would have paid a buck or two more to get a ribbon or two. I don't know that I have ever seen a leather bound Bible without a ribbon. I give them a D- for cover and lack of binding.
Seems to be a readable typeface, and I also wish that they would eliminate the chapter number at every verse. This size is larger than coat pocket size and may serve well as a briefcase or suitcase Bible for those who commute or travel. I will give them a B- in these areas.
Overall, I give this Bible a grade of C.
Posted by: Jerry | December 05, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Jerry -- I'm sorry to hear about the cover. I was hoping it might be one of the flexible poly-whatever covers everyone is using now. I figure, though, that at $14.95 it's still worth the money, right?
Posted by: J. Mark Bertrand | December 07, 2007 at 07:51 AM
Oh sure, it is worth $14.95, but it was a bit of a disappointment, mostly due to the lack of even a single ribbon. The one I ordered was the black "Premium Leather" edition. I wonder if I would be happier with the SuppleMax (tm) Tan instead since I really like the feel of the faux leather on the most recent Crossway Bibles.
Posted by: Jerry | December 08, 2007 at 01:58 PM
I do not use the NET Bible because of the annoying posting of chapter numbers at every verse. It drives me to distraction.
Posted by: sdonahue | December 12, 2007 at 06:56 AM
I continue to be confused by the NET Bible.
I ordered a "Pastor's Pack" in order to obtain a NET/Greek Diglot, thinking that for the additional $10 I could always give the Reader's Edition away.
I don't know why they describe the hardback Diglots as either "Tan Bonded Leather" or "Black Genuine Leather" since mine looks like any other hardback book, and will probably wear the same. For this type of reference Bible it is perfectly OK to have a hardback, and I don't know that I would want it in a flexible binding. I think that it will make a very handy reference tool.
I really shouldn't complain about the $10 extra Reader's Edition, but it is bound in the same thin bonded leather as the compact edition, and is also stamped "Premium Bonded Leather" on the back. I would certainly hate to see the "Regular Bonded Leather" if this is the "Premium". It is absolutely terrible, and they would be better off binding this in hardcover, since this stuff is worse than cardboard. On the upside, this Bible did come with a ribbon, as did the Diglot. The satellite imagery maps in the back are nice, but they were glued together and separating them led to some rough edges.
I would give the Diglot a B+ and the Reader's Edition a D.
Posted by: Jerry | February 18, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Mark - Well, the NLT Select is on order...in "mahogany," no less! I decided I needed yet more color in my Biblary. [Hopefully, my combination of Bible and library is a word newly coined. If so, I will not copyright it, and you may use it at your discretion =)]
I'll let you know what I think of it once it comes in. As always, thanks for the lead on this Bible...I doubt I'd ever known about it, were it not for your blog.
As an aside, I just picked up a Surefire Executive Defender today...Long live the flashlight junkies!
Posted by: carl hayman | March 28, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Let me know how that Tyndale Select NLT turns out. I'd like to see what mahogany looks like when it's at home.
Posted by: J. Mark Bertrand | March 28, 2008 at 10:31 AM
For anyone desiring to get a visual on the Tyndale NLT Select in Ebony Calfskin, below are 100 pictures of my incredibly flexible Bible.
For all those debating whether or not to take the plunge, trust me, it's well worth it. Enjoy the pics...
http://kowalker.com/2010/02/05/100-pictures-of-my-tyndale-select-nlt-in-ebony-calfskin/
Posted by: Erik | February 06, 2010 at 02:56 PM