Cam Hyde

You can pick up a copy of this Bible at Amazon. (affiliate)

This is a fantastic new NKJV from Thomas Nelson. If videos aren’t your thing then check out the text review below.

Today, we’ve got one for you—the New King James Sovereign Collection Bible. This is the large print reference edition, and I’m going to be straight with you. This Bible has its flaws, but I like it.

Before we look at the Bible itself, let’s check out the back of the slipcover. Let me tell you a little bit about this Bible.

This large print reference edition features the exclusive and easy-to-read New King James Comfort Print typesetting. It has a 10.5-point font, is line-matched, and follows a classic two-column format. There are brief book introductions, which I like. The Words of Christ are in red. It includes extensive bottom-of-the-page cross-references and translation notes, a presentation page, a concordance, full-color maps, two satin ribbon markers, gilded page edges, and a durable and flexible Smyth-sewn binding. Since this edition uses artificial leather, the sewn binding is a nice touch.

This Bible is cool. I like what Thomas Nelson does with so many of their Bibles—whether it’s their genuine leather, their leather-soft editions, or their premium goatskin covers. Whoever is behind their designs is really thinking outside the box.

If you look at this Bible, you’ll see three embossed lines going around the perimeter—a nice touch. The cover says Holy Bible, and because this is leather-soft, they can take some design risks. This one has gold-gilded page edges. Mine is the indexed version, so you can see the index tabs.

Now, let’s talk about the spine—because what Thomas Nelson does with their spines is a work of art. Somebody ought to give their designer a raise! Look at this design. It has raised hubs, which is awesome, but it also features intricate, ornate detailing that makes a leather-soft Bible look premium. Some people might think it looks gaudy, but I think it’s beautiful. Just look at that little design—such a nice detail!

I’ve said this so many times in my blog, but I can say it in a video now: I love their ribbon bookmarks. They put two in here, even though this isn’t a premium Bible. That’s nice! And they use double-sided satin that is nice and wide. I hate thin bookmarks—I want a wide ribbon bookmark. If you’re giving me a ribbon bookmark, make it stand out! Let’s put all the bells and whistles into this thing, and Thomas Nelson does that.

I love that they do it because this is a Bible I could give someone and not feel like I’m handing them a budget Bible. Even though it’s not the nicest leather, it’s still a beautiful Bible. The perimeter design with the three embossed lines is on the back cover as well. That’s a nice touch.

Now, something new—at least to me—with Thomas Nelson is the paste-down paper inside. When you open the Bible, you get a paper paste-down because this isn’t a premium edition. There’s a presentation page, but what’s really cool is that in the back, they matched the paste-down but added a design to it. That’s a thoughtful touch they didn’t have to include, but someone in their design department is paying attention to details, and I love that.

I’m already five minutes in and haven’t even opened the text yet! So, let’s get to it. This is a nicely done Bible, but it’s not without its faults.

What’s my gripe? The paper. This definitely feels like cheaper paper. I can appreciate some budget-friendly paper, don’t get me wrong, and this is line-matched, which is nice. But this paper makes that crinkly sound, which is usually a sign of lower quality. In the back of mine, I also noticed some imprinted lines on the pages. Not sure if that’ll show up on video, but that’s something to note.

Even with that, I still like this Bible.

Now, check this out. Each book starts with a brief introduction, and they’ve included an ornate drop cap at the beginning of each book—that’s a nice touch. The Bible also has red accents, with chapter numbers in red.

This is a two-column format, and the Words of Christ are in red. It looks like a verse-by-verse layout, with each verse starting on a new line, which is nice—I hadn’t even noticed that at first. The footnotes and cross-references are at the bottom of the page.

The type size is great. This isn’t quite a thin-line Bible, but it’s close. Overall, this is just a well-done Bible.

In the back, there’s a concordance and full-color maps. You’ll also notice some of the paper wrinkles back here, especially at the end of the concordance. The paper wrinkles easily, but it’s still a solid Bible.

Let me zoom in for you—check out that drop cap! You might also be able to see some of the page imprinting here.

I’ve gone longer than I usually do for reviews, but this is a fantastic Bible. It’s one I’d pick up and happily read. It’s also one I’d be happy to give as a gift because it’s well-done, well-thought-out, and beautiful.

Until next time!