Pocket RSV New Testament (Scepter Publishers)

It may sound cliched but, the Bible is my favorite book. (Even though, technically, it is a whole library of books.) I love it so much that I have several shelves of Bibles and even more shelves of commentaries. I was recently provided with the opportunity to review Scepter Publishers' Pocket RSV New Testament. It took a great deal of restraint, but I managed to decline the offer as I recently had acquired two other Bibles, and I was worried my wife would kill me if I acquired another Bible. It took several Pope Francis quotes (see below), but I was finally convinced to review the Bible, and I am glad that I did.

The Pocket RSV New Testament is 3" x 5" in size and contains approximately 700 pages in single column format. The translation is the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSV CE). It comes in Black Simulated Leather, Burgundy Simulated Leather, and for $10 more Black Leather. I have a personal preference towards the burgundy edition, but that's just me. There is a ribbon bookmark to help you easily keep your place, and a brief appendix at the end, which explains some of the nuances and differences between the RSV and the RSV CE.

This Bible reminds me of the ones that the Gideons hand out or one that you receive at First Communion. The Bible is truly pocket in nature and can fit in a breast or pants pocket easily. I enjoy this translation over the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE), because this one has a more literal translation. The only knock against the Bible is that the pages are thinner than I would like. However, I feel that way about most Bibles. The bible is a great tool and greater blessing to have so readily available. I will close with what Pope Francis said about the importance of reading the Bible.

"I pose a question to you: do you read a passage of the Gospel everyday? Yes, no… yes, no… half of the time … some yes, some no. It is important! Do you read the Gospel? It is so good; it is a good thing to have a small book of the Gospel, a little one, and to carry in our pocket or in our purse and read a little passage in whatever moment presents itself during the day. In any given moment of the day I take the Gospel from my pocket and I read something, a short passage. Jesus is there and he speaks to us in the Gospel! Ponder this. It’s not difficult, nor is it necessary to have all four books: one of the Gospels, a small one, with us. Let the Gospel be with us always, because it is the Word of Jesus in order for us to be able to listen to him."

This Bible was provided to me for free by Scepter Publishers in exchange for an honest review.