If you're looking for something to read, go to the only book of which these promises are made:

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55).

Some people really enjoy study Bibles. I've thought they were okay, but have never gotten into them. Some time before it was published last October, I was asked to look over the ESV Study Bible, Hardcover, with the possibility of endorsing it. If you haven't seen this incredible work, for a limited time you can check out its contents online, at no cost at www.esvstudybible.org).

I don't believe in endorsing books unless I can really stand behind them. I love Crossway, the publisher, and I knew and trusted people involved in the project. Still, I wasn't sure how good the ESV study Bible would be. When I saw it and put it to the test, it blew me away. Endorsing it was a no-brainer. Because it's still new, and a lot of you probably haven't checked it out, I thought I'd devote a blog to it.

After I spent my first hours examining the ESV study Bible, one word came to mind: Wow! This is an amazing project of vast scope and detail. The comments are concise, lucid and enlightening. The layout and design is pleasing, and the visual aids are beautiful and helpful. The theological components are clear and compelling, presenting doctrine that emerges from the biblical text, not that’s superimposed on it.

The list of contributors includes many accomplished biblical scholars who love God’s Word more than their own. They are skilled communicators, who stay true to the biblical text. This is a highly usable study Bible with textual fidelity, doctrinal substance and artistic beauty.

The study aids don’t push you away from the text, but pull you into it. The comments frequently cite other Scriptures, making the Bible its own interpreter.

The ESV Study Bible will prove an immense help to those hungry for God-breathed Scripture, and who desire to handle accurately the Word of Truth. I congratulate the team that put this together.

Here's what the ESV Study Bible features:

• 2,752 pages—equivalent to a 20-volume Bible resource library all in one volume.
• 1.3 million words—written by 95 leading evangelical scholars and teachers.
• 20,000 notes—focusing especially on understanding the Bible text and providing answers to frequently raised issues.
• Over 50 articles—including articles on the Bible’s authority, reliability, and interpretation; on biblical archaeology, theology, worship, prayer, and personal application.
• Over 200 full-color maps—created with the latest digital technology, satellite images, and archaeological research; printed in full color throughout the Bible.
• 200-plus charts—offering key insights and in-depth analysis in clear, concise outline form; located throughout the Bible.
• 80,000 cross-references—to encourage easy location of important words, passages, and biblical themes.
• 40 all-new illustrations—including full-color renderings and architectural diagrams of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, Solomon’s temple, Herod’s temple, the city of Jerusalem in Jesus’ time and throughout the history of Israel, and many more.

So if you haven't checked it out yet, go to http://www.esvstudybible.org/ and have fun exploring God's Word!

If you want to hear what others are saying about it, go here.