ESV Study Bible
The ESV with extensive study notes on the page, for the reader who wants the background as they read.
$34.99
ESV Single Column Journaling Bible
Our pick for the best journaling Bible for people who actually want to write in it.
from $64.99
If you want a Bible built for writing in, the ESV Single Column Journaling Bible is the one we recommend first. A single column of text with wide, ruled margins gives you room to take notes line by line, and the paper and binding are made to survive years of pens and highlighters. It is not the Bible to carry everywhere, and it is not the cheapest way to own the ESV, but for someone who studies with a pen in hand, nothing in its price range does the core job better.
FaithGiftGuide earns a small commission when you buy through links on this page. We only recommend products we have genuinely considered.
Why it works
The single column layout is the heart of it. Most Bibles run two narrow columns to fit more text per page, which is fine for reference but cramped for reading and worse for writing. A single column reads like a normal book, and the wide ruled margin beside it gives you a clear, lined place to respond to a specific verse instead of squeezing a note between lines.
The build matches the purpose. The paper is heavier than standard Bible stock, so ballpoint and many gel pens bleed through far less than you would expect, and the binding opens flat enough on a desk to write across the gutter. The standard edition is a sturdy clothbound hardcover with an elastic band that holds your place and keeps it shut in a bag, made to be handled daily for years, which is the whole point of a Bible you write your life into.
The ESV itself is a word-for-word translation, which suits study and slow reading. It stays close to the original wording, so the notes you write beside it are responding to the text rather than to a loose paraphrase. For a journaling Bible, where the habit is sitting with a passage, that accuracy earns its place.
Things to consider
This is a desk Bible, not a carry-everywhere one. The wide margins and thick paper push it well past an inch, so it is happiest on a table or a quiet corner rather than in a church bag. If you want something to carry daily, the wide-margin format is the wrong fit, and a thinline edition will serve you better.
Wide margins mean less text per page, so you turn pages more often and the book runs longer overall. A reader who wants to cover ground quickly, or who finds a large volume awkward to hold, may prefer a standard layout. The format that makes it great for notes makes it slower for plain reading.
At around $65 it is not a cheap Bible, and the genuine-leather editions cost more still. The price is easy to justify for someone who writes in their Bible, and hard to justify for someone who only thinks they might, since it is a lot to spend on blank space they may never fill. Be honest about which one you are buying for.
Who it is for
This is for the person who studies with a pen: the journaler, the note-taker, the one who underlines and writes prayers in the margin. It makes a strong gift for a confirmation, a graduation, or anyone deepening a habit of study. Catholic and Orthodox readers who want a journaling edition should look for one in their own translation, since this is a Protestant ESV text without the deuterocanonical books.
Consider something else if: the recipient wants something light to carry, they are a brand-new reader who would do better with an inexpensive everyday copy first, or they simply do not write in books.
Alternatives to consider
Each of these is the better choice for a different need, not a lesser version of the same pick.
ESV Value Thinline Bible
A slim, inexpensive ESV to carry, for readers who want portability over margins.
$14.99
The bottom line
A journaling Bible only earns its size and price if the margins get used. The ESV Single Column Journaling Bible is the best version of that bargain we have found: it does the writing job better than anything near its price, and it is honest about the tradeoffs, weight, bulk, and cost, that come with it.
Buy it for the person who will write in it, and it will likely outlast nearly any other gift you could give. Buy it for someone who only might, and a simpler Bible would serve them better.
Where to buy
Frequently asked questions
Is this Bible good for travel?
Not really. At over an inch thick and built around wide margins, it is meant for a desk or table. If you want the same translation to carry, look at the ESV Value Thinline instead, which trades the margins for a slim, portable size.
Will my pens bleed through the paper?
Less than on most Bibles. The paper is heavier than standard Bible stock, so ballpoint and many gel pens hold up well. Very wet inks and markers can still show through, so test a pen on the first page before committing to it across the book.
Is the ESV a good translation for journaling?
Yes, for this purpose. The ESV is a word-for-word translation that stays close to the original wording, which is what you want when your notes are responding to a specific verse. If you prefer a more readable, thought-for-thought style, an NLT or NIV journaling Bible may suit you better.
Is this a good gift for a new Christian?
It can be, with one caution. A new reader who genuinely wants to study and write will value it, but someone still finding their footing is often better served by an inexpensive, readable everyday Bible. If you give this one, consider pairing it with a simpler copy so reading is not gated behind a book they are afraid to mark.