The Best Bibles to Write in for 2025
The new year is almost here, and I'm looking for a new Bible and tools to shake up my Bible reading for 2025. If you're looking to get started writing in your Bible (or for some fun new tools) then you might enjoy this guide too.
What makes a good bible to write in?
There are a few essential criteria for a good Bible to write in.
- The size: It's possible to write in a small Bible, but a bigger one is easier.
- Space: Beyond just size, you need space to write in. This could be margins or extra pages.
- Paper: Needs to be thicker but not too thick
- Binding: Some Bibles lie flat which makes them easier to write in. Hard backs are generally harder to write in compared with (faux)leather ones.
- Translation: This won't make it easier to write in, but it is worth considering when picking your Bible.
What are the common types of Bibles to write in?
There are three common types of Bibles that people choose to write in.
- Wide margin Bibles: These Bibles have wider margins which give you space to write in. Sometimes they have features to help you write in, but sometimes they just had larger margins.
- Journaling Bibles: These can be almost the same as wide margins but are specifically designed to write in. This usually means they have thicker paper and sometimes have lines in the margins (which can help or hinder)
- Interleaved Bibles: These Bibles have extra blank pages which you can write in. These are great for longer reflections or notes on a section of scripture. Some preachers use these to hold their sermon notes.
Two great wide margin Bibles for 2025
NASB Cambridge Wide Margin
The NASB is on the formal end of the translation spectrum which makes it very polarising (like Marmite).
Available in multiple leather formats (goat and calf), this is a premium Bible that might be a bit too scary to write in as your first Bible. Get it here.
ESV wide margin
The ESV is one of the most popular Bible translations around as it's on the formal end of the translation spectrum but still easy to read. Unlike the NASB, the ESV comes in far more formats at different price points including...
- Calf and goat leather from Cambridge
- Top grain Leather from Crossway
- TruTone large print wide margin from Crossway
NLT Wide Margin
The NLT is a controversial translation as it is less word-for-word than some others and so highlights the translator's theological positions (in truth, even the most "word-for-word" translations still have elements of this issue but still, I understand the complaint).
Still, I've personally found this translation to be a good personal devotional read this last year and there are wide margin versions you can get in genuine leather and fake leather.
Three great journaling bibles for 2025
Journaling Bibles come in a wide variety of forms and translations. Some look like any old Bible but with large space to journal or verse map in the side. Others are more particular like the single column variations.
ESV Journaling
Crossway provides a variety of journal ESVs at different price points. Cheaper options include hardcover versions while more expensive and premium ones come in a variety of leathers.
All of them leave plenty of space for notes making them great choices to write in.
CSB journaling
The CSB is a translation I'm not that familiar with, but I have friend who love it for its balance of word-for-word and simpler English.
Holman publishing produces a variety of options including hardcover versions (for men!), premium leather covers, and even a spiral bound illustrated version that I haven't seen in other translations.
NIV journaling
The NIV is the translation I think in (for right or wrong). It was the one I heard and read the most growing up and so always has a special place in my heart.
Zondervan, who is responsible for the NIV translation, doesn't have as many options as some other translations, but there are some nice choices like the fake leather NIV journaling Bible. For more premium options you might need to go for a wide margin bible like the Premium Collection goat skin NIV wide margin.
Two (plus one) great interleaved bibles for 2025
Interleaved Bibles are far rarer than journaling/wide margin Bibles, but there is another creative option...
ESV interleaved
Crossway again provides a variety of interleaved versions of the ESV with a variety of covers from truetone faux leather, hardcovers and premium leather.
Due to the extra pages, these Bibles are rather larger.
NKJV interleaved
I'm not a fan of the NKJV but that's just me. If you are, then you might want to check out the NKJV interleaved edition from Thomas Nelson.
Like other Bibles to write in, you can get this in leather or hardcover.
Alternative: Do it yourself!
While you can't change the margin in a Bible, you can add additional pages to any old Bible. That's exactly what Jonathan Edwards did to his! (Well, Okay, he more pasted pages from the Bible into a notebook like the image below).
The simplest way would be to just leave pages loose inside your Bible, but that risks them falling out and being lost. For pages you really want to keep around, you can try this tutorial.
My Bible to write in for 2025...
So what am I going to use?
Well, after some time away I'm back on the ESV with a hardcover wide margin from Cambridge Bibles. Unfortunately, this Bible is no longer made, but I picked up a copy last year when I saw it on sale and have kept it on standby till now. The start of a new year feels like the perfect moment to dive in.
I'm also curious about replacing the cover with a leather one...but that would be a story for another blog post.
