ESV Wide Margin Reference Bible

Product is perfect from various angle, specially the cover and the size of Bible, font size is ok and readable not small and not large but I was expecting for little more bigger font but it's ok.

Very good Bible. Pages are good, readable. Loved it.

The font is too small if you are above 40. Good binding, looks good, easy to carry. For daily study, not recommended. For travel purpose with good eye-sight, go for it.

This review (October 2024) is for the Crossway ESV Wide Margin Reference TruTone Bible. I had tried a number of local stores to try and find a copy of this Bible so that I could see and feel it in person, but no one local to me carried it. After a year of reading reviews and watching videos I finally ordered it. I opted for the TruTone version because it was less expensive and because I wanted to test this Bible with my note taking and highlighting. So let me compare this against the Crossway Bibles that I have experience with. Their ESV Journaling Study Bible in TruTone is much softer and floppy/bendable. This Wide Margin version is stiffer. Not a plus or minus, just an observation. This version also is one solid color where as the Journaling Study Bible is two colors.Now let me address the main questions and that is the typeface, paper, and margins. The Journaling Study Bible is 7.5, the Wide Margin Reference is 9. That was one of the main reasons I had been wanting this Bible was the larger font. I use 1.0 Reader Glasses and the 7.5 while readable would still be a slight challenge after a long day of looking at a computer screen. The t9 point font is much nicer.The paper is thicker/heavier than the Journaling Study Bible. There is one YouTube video that compares the Crossway Wide Margin with a Cambridge Wide Margin and his conclusion is the Crossway paper is heavier/thicker. I would say the paper is similar to the Thomas Nelson NKJV Single Column Wide Margin Reference Bible. I write all of that to simply say this paper is meant for note taking. Yes there is ghosting, but much less so than in the Journaling Study Bible that I have. Please note that I use the Pigma Micron 01 and 005 pens and no I've not tested any other pens mainly because I started with them and have stayed with them. I am still using the same set I purchased a year ago with no indication that they are wearing out, so the initial price for me was worth it. Also the weight of the paper lends itself to less crinkling of pages as you flip through them.The Bible is two column with one inch margins on both side. Now the inside margin (writing space) is slight more and that is due to Crossway moving the text outward toward the edge providing a true inch of writable space. This was one of the reasons I was leaning toward this Bible for so long. I have space to write next to the individual scripture. In the Journaling Study Bible you have two column text with a two inch margin on the outside which results in notes written away from the scriptures which are in the inside column. Neither method is right or wrong, just two different layouts.My final thoughts are I really do like this Bible due to everything above. I still like the Journaling Study Bible, but had I started with this one I would probably go ahead and get the ESV Study Bible as a complementary piece. As for the TruTone cover, I have no long term experience with it. I think one of the reviewers here on Amazon showed his as being worn out after ten years and suggested that you go ahead and purchase the real leather version. From a cost perspective I can see both sides and that is something that as an individual you will have to decide. For me I wanted to test the format out on the less expensive version and then after a year or so decide if I want to purchase the leather version or just have this one rebound.I know this review has been long, but I hope it has been helpful as I tried to address the main points/issues that I had when I was researching this particular Bible.

The ESV is one of my favourite translations. This bible has a lovely feel in your hands, the font is not to small and having the reference column on the side is perfect for me.

This is a great no-frills ESV Bible that focuses on what matters—readability, accuracy, and practicality. The text is clear and consistent with the well-respected ESV translation, which balances word-for-word precision with smooth modern English.One of the highlights is the center-column cross-references—super helpful for connecting related verses without cluttering the main text. The font size is decent (not large print, but very readable), and the thin yet sturdy build makes it easy to carry while still holding up to regular use.If you want a trustworthy, cleanly designed Bible with built-in references for deeper study, this one gets the job done. No distracting extras—just God’s Word, well-presented.Highly recommended.

Great size. Love the single column format.Has SO MANY cross references the text can be a little overwhelming with letter references next to them, but that's what this is - a REFERENCE bible.Recommended.

Handy sized bible that has good font size and good study references