Cover:
Brochure, Large Print, 14-Point Type
Full Text of This Product
“Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee. … Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. … The entrance of Thy words giveth light.”
Psalm 119:11, 105 &130.
Congratulations on considering this wise investment.
Your Bible, whether inexpensive or deluxe, is worthy of respect and tender care, not only because of what it is and what it contains but also because of the good service it may give you and others. It is a good idea, when choosing a Bible to choose one which is suited to your intended purpose. If you plan to spend time with it, choose one which is attractive to you, comfortable to read, and comfortable to handle, hold, and carry—a Bible with which you would be content to live the rest of your life.
Generally speaking, the more expensive the Bible, the longer you may expect it to last, and the more care it may require.
Leather has traditionally been the preferred binding material, and there are many varieties of leather. The better leathers are more durable, more expensive and more flexible. A leather lining makes the Bible cover even more flexible and nice to feel and hold, but it may not significantly increase the life of the binding.
Vivella (marketed under a variety of names often incorporating the word “soft”) is a relatively recent and increasingly common imitation leather Bible binding material which has proven to be very durable, as well as having a soft feel and look. If a leather binding is too expensive, a Vivella binding is worthy of consideration.
Many people like the idea of a Bible with a zipper or snap closure. For a Bible which may be stored more than used, this may be a good idea; but bear in mind that a zipper or other closure method is likely to wear out long before the Bible itself wears out, and then the worn-out zipper or other closure may tend to discourage the use of the Bible.
How to Begin Use of a New Bible
Better Bibles have sewn bindings, whereas cheaper Bibles have glued bindings (which are generally better than they used to be); but both types of binding will last longer if properly “broken in.”
Before “breaking in” your Bible, make sure your hands are clean. Then Place you Bible on a clean firm flat horizontal surface in front of you, as if you were going to read the Bible. Then turn it upright with the spine flat against that surface and the body of the Bible held in a vertical position. Now, while keeping the pages vertical, spread open the covers flat against the horizontal surface. Using gentle pressure, run the tips of your fingers along the cover hinges (where the covers are joined to the Bible) to relax the hinges and to get the covers accustomed to being open. Next, taking a few (a dozen or so) pages at a time from each side of the vertical Bible body, turn them toward the covers and gently press them down, close to the spine, as you did the covers. Keep working that way toward the center of the Bible. This procedure gradually flexes a spine which may have become stiff in production and storage and helps to prevent breaking the binding threads or the glue bond. It may be a good idea to do this more than once.
The first and last sections of sewn Bibles are often attached with a special “overcast” stitching which may make the first and last sections look like they are loosely attached. A slight apparent spine gap is normal and does not necessarily suggest a defective or weak binding.
How to Care for Your Bible
First of all, use it. It is designed and meant for use. Real reverence has more to do with wise use than with mere preservation. But, there are things which you can do, and which you probably should consider doing which may prolong the life and looks of your Bible:
Your Bible should be protected from extreme heat, extreme cold, and from moisture. Extreme heat may dry out the paper, covers, and glue and make them brittle. Opening a very cold Bible may place a very great strain on the binding. Moisture may affect whatever gold imprinting may be on the Bible, as well as the gold or color on the page edges. Prolonged exposure to dampness may promote the growth of mold.
For these reasons, we recommend that you consider keeping your Bible in a case or cover when it is not in use. In recent years, ‘zipper” cases or covers have become the standard form of Bible protection. They are good investments —particularly when the value of the Bible exceeds the cost of the case.
A word of caution: Most zipper cases are designed with inside pockets into which the Bible covers may be slipped so that the Bible may be opened as the case is opened. We do not recommend this use of these pockets. Inserting the Bible covers in these pockets will put excess strain on the Bible hinges and hasten the breaking of the Bible Binding. Instead, we recommend that these pockets be used for papers, etc., and that the Bible be simply laid in the case before it is zipped shut. This will require more care in opening the case, but such care will prolong the life of your Bible. Beware of storing papers etc. in your Bible. A sheet or two is ok, but the more papers that are kept in the Bible, the more strain they put on the binding and thereby shorten its life.
Vinyl and Vivella Bible covers may be cleaned with a damp cloth and a few drops of mild detergent. Leather Bible covers are kept supple by use—by the natural oils from clean hands. Should the leather need cleaning, you may gently use saddle soap or a good commercial leather cleaner.
Many people mark or write in their Bibles. Be aware that pencil and dry highlighter markings may smear. Wet highlighter and cheap pen markings may smear or bleed. Fine art pens (such as Sakura Micron) generally work best.
Enjoy your Bible. Thank God for it when you use it, and always ask His help to understand it. John Bunyan said, “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.”