[.ca] NRSV Reference Edition with Apocrypha Black calfskin ... (ISBN 0521509351)

Yeah, it's a pretty bible, but . . .:
Yes, indeed, Cambridge makes the highest quality bibles in the world if we are looking merely at paper quality, gilding, typeface, clarity, binding, and leather. They do a sensational job with the basics of production. However, with that said, I just wish they would choose a more conservative translation of the bible. The NRSV leaves much to be desired as a bible translation. The press for "gender equity in translation" \oa dubious goal at best\c caused these revisors to botch several essential messianic prophecies. With that said, I could still preach the gospel from an NRSV, I would simply have to avoid certain texts. Yet there is no reason to compromise in this English speaking world. We have many other better translations, such as the NASB, the NKJV, and the NIV. There are many lovely bibles made in these translations. Why not choose one of them?

Outstanding Quality but Deficient as a Gift:
The look, the feel, the smell, and every other characteristic of this book is of the highest quality. Unfortunately, I was looking for an heirloom book to give as a gift to a family member. Missing are a family history section and a concordance, two key features that have high value as a family bible. I was greatly disappointed in these omissions.

An almost perfect Bible:
This is a beautiful Bible. It's just a few things short of being perfect; the pages seem to be slightly offset (the page edges on the right side don't look as straight as they could be), one of the ribbons is fraying slightly (easily fixable). Another thing I was disappointed in was the box that it came in; it didn't come in Cambridge's "A Cambridge Bible" double slipcase like pictured, but a gray case with a red ribbon-like pattern on it. I'm not a huge fan of the Apocrypha, but I don't mind it being in there.

A Bible with no Rival:
I have just purchased this Bible and am more than pleased with it. Quality abounds from the durable binding to the art gilt pages and handsome calfskin leather. This is the Mercedes of Bibles! The NRSV text is an excellent translation. Used widely in colleges and mainstream churches, it is the translation of choice for most critical biblical scholars because of its overall accuracy. (Nice credentials!) Some stickler evangelicals may quibble about a few seeming unorthodox points of translation and its gender inclusivity but don't let that dissuade you from enjoying this great translation. I am very glad this edition does not have the words of Christ in red. Not only is red often harder to read, it also very often poorly aligned to the adjacent black text. (Look closely at any red letter Bible.) But more importantly it oversimplifies the whole process of how the gospels were formed. The red text in red letter versions of the Bible are not the verbatim words of Jesus as any synopsis of the gospels will show and can mislead in its simplisticness. The inclusion of the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books is welcomed by me. If you evangelicals are put off by that just think in terms of how helpful this material is in learning more about the cultural/ideological background of the Bible. Now you have a nice, readable version to study! My only criticisms are minor. I am a graphic designer and note that the justified text is a little loose in spots (word spacing too "gappy"). I am sure most people won't even notice. Also, oddly in the poetic sections (Psalms, for example) some lines contain only a word or two as though the previous line got broken off at the end of the sentence. Perhaps this is to follow the convention of the Hebrew, I wouldn't know for sure on that. Also, offering different colors of leather than just black would be nice. It does give it that nice religious look though! But hey, those quibbles are nothing compared to the enjoyment I am going to have with this Bible! I may not be able to afford a Mecedes but I'll enjoy the quality of this Bible everytime I handle and breathe in its supple leather aroma.

A Beautiful, Elegant Bible:
Cambridge makes the best Bibles. No other publisher can compare with the quality of their Bibles, not even Oxford. This edition of the NRSV is elegant. It feels good and has a fairly good print size. The NRSV has become the standard translation for many churches and scholars around the world. It is an excellent translation, but like all translations has some weaknesses. Do not let the criticism of others deter you from choosing this Bible. Again, all translations have weaknesses, but the NRSV gets an A- from me, while the RSV gets an A+. If the NRSV is your translation of choice (and it frequently is for me) then buy this Bible.