The Zondervan NIV Premier Collection Preacher's Bible
To find a verse-by-verse layout in the New International Version is apparently a hard task, but the good people at Zondervan have said, "No more!" The newest addition to their Premier Collection is the Preacher's Bible in verse-by-verse format. This Bible is geared toward the preacher and teacher and will serve them well as they share God's Word.
The Preacher's Bible comes in a black goatskin that feels similar to previous covers of the NIV Premier Collection. It has a smooth feel and a good grain pattern. I was honestly a bit disappointed. I really like the goatskin on the new NASB Premier Collection that Zondervan produces and I hoped this newest edition would adopt that cover. The Bible is supple and flexibile. The spine has five raised ribs with the words "HOLY BIBLE", "NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION", and "ZONDERVAN" printed in silver.
The page edges are a silver under blue art gilt. The Bible has three very nice double-sided satin bookmarks in various shades of blue. I think Zondervan is doing some of the best bookmarks out there right now and all other companies would do well to learn from them. The Bible is Smyth-sewn.
Inside the Bible is edge-lined with a calfskin liner and has a silver perimeter gilt line. The Bible has a full color presentation page. This Bible doesn't lay flat out of the gate, which is unfortunate if you're preaching in Genesis, but it may learn to do so with some breaking in.
The page layout is a double-column verse-by-verse. Page headings, chapter numbers, and chapter headings and subheadings are all in a royal blue. Verse numbers are in a slightly lighter blue setting them off from the all black text. This is really helpful when trying to locate a verse quickly while preaching. Translation notes are in the footer at the bottom of each page. The paper is a 36 gsm European Bible paper and it looks quite nice. It's a true white and has very little ghosting. I'm really impressed with the opactiy of it. The text is line-matched which further reduces any ghosting.
The font is a 9.5 point in the exclusive NIV Comfort Print font. Previous editions of this font never bothered me, but many have noted that Zondervan has made the choice to close the letters completely on the font now. Apparently leaving them partially open at times distracted many people or bothered them. My wish for this Bible is that the font was bigger. I would've liked them to go at least a full size up and a size and a half would have been even better. When preaching, I don't want to have to work to focus on the text and at 9.5 point, I feel this font forces me to do so. That being said, the 9.5 is readable and still would be the best choice for preaching from the NIV in my opinion. The only thing in back of this Bible is a table of weights and measures making this Bible a true thinline.
It's also worth noting that this Bible matches page for page with Zondervan's Pew and Worship Bible. This is very helpful so that the preacher can tell readers what page to turn to if they're unfamiliar with navigating the books in Scripture. If you are using those as your pew Bibles, that feature alone makes this the Bible you want to preach from.
Top to bottom: NIV Preacher’s Bible, Cambridge Topaz, Holman CSB Verse-by-Verse, Zondervan NASB Preacher’s Bible, Thomas Nelson NKJV Verse-by-Verse, and Crossway Top Grain Verse-by-Verse
Zondervan has blessed the NIV teachers with a great preaching and teaching Bible. If taught from the NIV, this would be the Bible I used. There is just nothing better than having a verse-by-verse edition and this is the only one. I really like the NIV Comfort Print font and the bookmarks. This will be a valuable asset to anyone who is a fan of the format. Make sure to check out more pictures below!
You can buy the NIV Premier Collection Peacher's Bible on Amazon. (affiliate)
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this Bible from Zondervan in exchange for fair and honest review.
