Printed on thick cream-colored paper, the Bible's single-column text setting and wide margins provide generous space for additional notes, prayers, and designs--inviting readers to creatively engage with and reflect on the beauty of God's Word. Having now read through the ESV several times in my personal devotional life, I have adopted it as the primary text for my teaching and writing ministry. Throughout this book’s events, God makes it evident that he is in control and has ultimate authority over time, people, and events.

Under Dana’s direction, a small team of expert lettering artists incorporated these styles into the verse illustrations in the margins and in thoughtful ornamentation throughout the text. The Illuminated Bible features 500+ full-page illustrations, hand-lettered margin verses, and ornamental elements—all printed in gold ink. The text appears to be line matched but with this thick of paper, it’s extremely hard to see anything more than a page or two deep to confirm that. A recurrent theme in these three short books is light and the command to “abide” or remain in the light of the gospel, as illustrated here by shining beams. Matthew has both mustard seeds and the flowering branches of the mustard plant while Revelation has an ornate door with trumpets and keys and many other symbols from Revelation.The upright middle flower represents Job’s refusal to blame or curse God even while his body—symbolized by the outer flowers—wastes away. The clouds and trumpet illustrated here represent the description of the coming of the Lord in chapter 4, where Paul describes the Lord descending from heaven with the sound of a trumpet. Philemon is with Colossians (instead of after Titus) and Jude was bound with 1st and 2nd Peter (instead of being after 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John).

Pictured here are the lilies, rose of Sharon, precious dove, wine grapes, and pomegranates used in the poetry of Solomon to describe two lovers and their physical relationship throughout courtship, engagement, and marriage. The novelty of having all of the art inside, and on the cover is nice, and many people will enjoy this embellishment. The locusts illustrated here are reflective of the plague the Lord sent on Israel as a sign of his anger and judgment for their sin and continued unfaithfulness. The ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal New Testament Set is a beautiful New Testament that invites you to both read and interact with God’s Word.The header has a guide reference in the outer corner and the page number in the center both in gold ink. I believe that would be covered under warranty, but I usually take care of it myself with a razor blade. Those who fear the Lord look to the time when “the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (4:2). The ESV represents a new level of excellence in Bible translations—combining unquestionable accuracy in translation with a beautiful style of expression. The flowers pictured here—freesia, Queen Anne’s lace, cowslip, and oleander—symbolize grace in Western culture.

Warnings of impending destruction fill this book, as the prophet Zephaniah declares God’s intent to punish the wicked nation of Judah for their sin and rebellion by sweeping them away—represented here by the wind and clouds in chapter 1. This is much better for hand lettering, which tends to vary in size, and artwork than lines (even light ones) would have been.This cross between the ESV Illuminated Bible Art Journaling Edition and the ESV Scripture Journal: New Testament Boxed Set is a beautiful place to record prayers, Bible notes, or creatively journal with words or pictures. Finally, at the end there is a page with the names of the people who comprised the team that published this edition. Our prayer is that the added ornamentation and illustrations will draw the reader’s eyes to the beauty of the Word of God itself, stirring up affection for the Creator and inviting deep reflection on the narrative and truths of Scripture.