Bibliotheca
Bibliotheca
The Biblical Library Anew
Bibliotheca is an elegant, meticulously crafted edition of the Bible designed to invite the reader to a pure, literary experience of its vast and varied contents.
The text is treated in classic typographic style, free of all added conventions such as chapter and verse numbers, section headers, cross-references, and marginalia.
Watch the video to hear designer Adam Lewis Greene describe his vision & process
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An elegant edition of the entire biblical library, founded on the time-tested principles of the well-made book and fine typography.
Proudly made in Germany by the skilled craftspeople at Spinner Buchbinderei, a family company in the third generation.
Smyth-sewn binding for durable books that open flat and last generations.
Bespoke, pure cotton bookcloth, made in the Netherlands.
Acid-free mineral paper—made with limestone chalk instead of wood pulp—made in Austria.
A REFINED TYPEFACE
Introducing Katharos — a custom-designed typeface created specifically for Bibliotheca, blending timeless elegance with optimal readability. Its clean, open forms and carefully balanced proportions are tailored to support immersive, effortless reading.
AN EXCEPTIONAL TRANSLATION
Presenting The American Literary Version — a thoughtfully refined edition of the 1901 American Standard Version, reviewed by Ph.D. scholars from renowned institutions like Oxford and Duke. Archaic language has been modernized with care (e.g., “thou” to “you”), while preserving the original translation’s remarkable accuracy and literary richness.
The ALV isn’t about making the text simpler; it’s about drawing the reader into the literary artistry and nuanced depth of the biblical texts. By carefully balancing modernization with a commitment to literal translation, it provides unique access to the raw beauty, complexity, and power of this ancient library.
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By presenting an unfamiliar translation in an unfamiliar format, Bibliotheca delivers an experience that is especially revelatory … Both the design and the translation frame the ancient in a way similar to how a museum might, balancing accessibility with awe.
J. Mark Bertrand
Lectio.org
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The translation, slightly modified from the revered American Standard Version (which traces back to the King James Version of 1611) invites even hyper-familiar Bible readers into a new experience: one that can disorient, in the best of ways, allowing them to hear the Bible afresh and anew.
Brent A. Strawn, Ph.D.
Consulting Scholar for Bibliotheca
D. Moody Smith Distinguished Professor of Old Testament,
Duke University
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[T]he reader receives a beautiful re-setting of the classic English version, helpfully revised, Americanized, and now refreshed once again ... Bibliotheca indeed achieves what so many nineteenth-century commentators sought to bring about: it makes the Bible “readable.” That reading, moreover, feels fuller.
Richard H. Gibson, Ph.D.
From “Religion and the Arts,” Vol. 26, 2022
Professor of English,
Wheaton College
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Finished Isaiah yesterday! Best read-through of that book I have ever had — and it's one of my favorite books of the Bible. Simply superb reading experience from all angles … it just sings to me … The updated ASV communicates the message clearly to me and is easy for me to read.
Mandy M.
Bibliotheca reader
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While many modern translations…claim a high degree of literalness…[t]he ALV more consistently provides a truly literal rendering of the Greek and Hebrew source text.
Adam B.
Bibliotheca reader
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This began as a design project, and it is certainly magnificent in that regard alone. But the greatest feat here is the exquisitely poetic new translation.
Matt S.
Bibliotheca reader
