# TLDR Review: ESV Personal Reference Bible

*Published: 2025-03-27 | Updated: 2025-03-27 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/esv-personal-reference-bible*

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## Product: ESV Personal Reference Bible
**Brand:** Crossway Books

## Pros
- Beautifully crafted binding with a focus on quality and craftsmanship.
- Portable size (5-1/4" x 7-1/2" x 1-3/8"), ideal for daily reading and church use.
- Includes cross-references, single-column format, and a non-exhaustive concordance.
- Excellent text clarity and line-matching to mitigate ghosting on thin pages.
- Gilded edges and reasonable pricing enhance the appeal.
- Lightweight design allows for easy handling, even with one hand.
- Margins are suitable for note-taking without being overly spacious.
- Highly regarded as an excellent, affordable personal-sized reference Bible compared to alternatives like the Cambridge Clarion.
- Readily recommended for morning devotionals and easy scripture navigation with the included ribbon marker.

## Cons
- Font size of 8.5 may be challenging for those who need larger print.
- Absence of maps, which may be a drawback for some users.
- Suggestion to bold chapter verses to improve navigation.
- The liner is paste down, potentially impacting long-term durability.
- Lacks more spacing between lines, which could enhance readability.

## Bottom Line

The ESV Personal Reference Bible (Trutone, Brown/Walnut, Portfolio Design) is highly praised for its beautiful craftsmanship, portability, and affordability, making it an excellent choice for daily reading and church use. However, the smaller font size and lack of maps may be drawbacks for some users. Nonetheless, its thoughtful design and features make it a valued addition to any collection.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Beautifully crafted binding with a focus on quality and craftsmanship. | Font size of 8.5 may be challenging for those who need larger print. |
| Portable size (5-1/4" x 7-1/2" x 1-3/8"), ideal for daily reading and church use. | Absence of maps, which may be a drawback for some users. |
| Includes cross-references, single-column format, and a non-exhaustive concordance. | Suggestion to bold chapter verses to improve navigation. |
| Excellent text clarity and line-matching to mitigate ghosting on thin pages. | The liner is paste down, potentially impacting long-term durability. |
| Gilded edges and reasonable pricing enhance the appeal. | Lacks more spacing between lines, which could enhance readability. |
| Lightweight design allows for easy handling, even with one hand. |  |
| Margins are suitable for note-taking without being overly spacious. |  |
| Highly regarded as an excellent, affordable personal-sized reference Bible compared to alternatives like the Cambridge Clarion. |  |
| Readily recommended for morning devotionals and easy scripture navigation with the included ribbon marker. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| BookOutlet (US) | $14.99  | Check |
| Essencebible.com | $17.99  | Check |
| Shop the Word | $19.49  | Check |
| Amazon | $20.74  | Check |
| Christianbook.com | $20.74  | Check |
| Walmart | $20.74  | Check |
| BooksRun | $21.81  | Check |
| Biblestore.com | $21.99  | Check |
| AbeBooks | $23.89  | Check |
| Thrift Books - Source | $25.35  | Check |
| Euphrates | $25.49  | Check |
| Thrift Books - Source | $26.23  | Check |
| TextbookRush.com | $26.46  | Check |
| Lifeway.com | $26.99  | Check |
| Blackwell's | $27.94  | Check |
| fruugo.com | $27.95  | Check |
| Lucy & Phyllis Bookstore | $27.99  | Check |
| Target | $27.99  | Check |
| Better World Books | $28.17  | Check |
| wordery (us) | $28.99  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*