The Holy Bible
Read The whole Bible in the King James Version. Choose a book from the contents; every chapter opens to read, and every verse opens to its context.
Good places to start
The story in order Each book where it fits, from creation to the new creation.
Creation to about 1800 BC
Beginnings Creation, the fall, the flood, and God's promise to Abraham.
About 1450 to 1400 BC
Out of Egypt God rescues Israel, gives the law at Sinai, and leads them through the wilderness.
About 1400 to 1050 BC
Into the land Israel takes Canaan, and judges rise in a time without a king.
About 1050 to 930 BC
The kingdom Saul, David and Solomon; the psalms and the wisdom books.
About 930 to 586 BC
Divided kingdom and the prophets Israel and Judah split; prophets call both back before Assyria and Babylon.
605 to 538 BC
Exile in Babylon Judah carried away; God is still ruling over the kingdoms of men.
538 to about 430 BC
Return and rebuilding The exiles come home, rebuild the temple and the walls, and wait.
About 5 BC to AD 30
Jesus The promised one comes: his life, death and resurrection.
AD 30 to about 95
The church The Spirit is given, the gospel spreads, and the apostles write to the churches.
Written about AD 95
The end and the new beginning Jesus' revelation of what must come, and the new heaven and new earth.
Dates are approximate and follow the Bible's own chronology; for some prophets, such as Joel and Obadiah, the time is uncertain. Letters are placed in roughly the order they were written.
Old Testament · Law
Genesis Beginnings: the creation, the fall, the flood, and God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
50 chaptersIn the story: Beginnings, creation to about 1800 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 About Genesis: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Law
Exodus God brings Israel out of slavery in Egypt, gives the law at Sinai, and dwells among them in the tabernacle.
40 chaptersIn the story: Out of Egypt, about 1450 to 1400 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 About Exodus: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Law
Leviticus The offerings, priesthood and feasts by which a holy God lives among his people: "Ye shall be holy; for I am holy."
27 chaptersIn the story: Out of Egypt, about 1450 to 1400 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 About Leviticus: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Law
Numbers Israel's forty years in the wilderness, from Sinai to the edge of Canaan, and the generation that would not believe.
36 chaptersIn the story: Out of Egypt, about 1450 to 1400 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 About Numbers: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Law
Deuteronomy Moses retells the law to the new generation on the plains of Moab before they enter the land.
34 chaptersIn the story: Out of Egypt, about 1450 to 1400 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 About Deuteronomy: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
Joshua Under Joshua, Israel crosses the Jordan, takes Canaan and divides the land among the tribes.
24 chaptersIn the story: Into the land, about 1400 to 1050 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 About Joshua: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
Judges A cycle of sin, oppression and rescue in the days when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
21 chaptersIn the story: Into the land, about 1400 to 1050 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 About Judges: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
Ruth A Moabite widow's loyalty to Naomi and to Israel's God, and her place in the line of King David.
4 chaptersIn the story: Into the land, about 1400 to 1050 BC
1 2 3 4 About Ruth: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
1 Samuel Samuel the prophet, the rise and fall of King Saul, and the anointing of David.
31 chaptersIn the story: The kingdom, about 1050 to 930 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 About 1 Samuel: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
2 Samuel David's reign over Israel, God's covenant to establish his house for ever, and his sin and its cost.
24 chaptersIn the story: The kingdom, about 1050 to 930 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 About 2 Samuel: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
1 Kings Solomon's wisdom and temple, the kingdom split in two, and Elijah's stand against Baal.
22 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 About 1 Kings: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
2 Kings The kings of Israel and Judah until Assyria takes Israel and Babylon carries Judah away.
25 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 About 2 Kings: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
1 Chronicles Israel's history from Adam to David, retold for those back from exile, centred on David and the temple's preparation.
29 chaptersIn the story: The kingdom, about 1050 to 930 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 About 1 Chronicles: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
2 Chronicles Solomon's temple and the kings of Judah to the exile, ending with Cyrus' decree to rebuild.
36 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 About 2 Chronicles: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
Ezra The exiles return from Babylon, rebuild the temple, and are called back to the law under Ezra.
10 chaptersIn the story: Return and rebuilding, 538 to about 430 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 About Ezra: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
Nehemiah Nehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls in fifty-two days, and the people renew their covenant with God.
13 chaptersIn the story: Return and rebuilding, 538 to about 430 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 About Nehemiah: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · History
Esther A Jewish queen in the Persian court risks her life to save her people from destruction.
10 chaptersIn the story: Return and rebuilding, 538 to about 430 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 About Esther: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Poetry and Wisdom
Job A righteous man loses everything, wrestles with his friends over why, and hears God answer from the whirlwind.
42 chaptersIn the story: Beginnings, creation to about 1800 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 About Job: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Poetry and Wisdom
Psalms One hundred fifty songs and prayers of praise, lament, trust and thanksgiving, many written by David.
150 chaptersIn the story: The kingdom, about 1050 to 930 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 About Psalms: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Poetry and Wisdom
Proverbs Short sayings of wisdom for daily life; "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge."
31 chaptersIn the story: The kingdom, about 1050 to 930 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 About Proverbs: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Poetry and Wisdom
Ecclesiastes The Preacher searches for meaning under the sun and concludes: "Fear God, and keep his commandments."
12 chaptersIn the story: The kingdom, about 1050 to 930 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 About Ecclesiastes: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Poetry and Wisdom
Song of Solomon A song of love between a bride and her beloved.
8 chaptersIn the story: The kingdom, about 1050 to 930 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 About Song of Solomon: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Major Prophets
Isaiah Judgment and comfort for Judah, and promises of the coming servant and King who would bear his people's sins.
66 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 About Isaiah: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Major Prophets
Jeremiah The weeping prophet warns Judah before Babylon's conquest and promises a new covenant.
52 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 About Jeremiah: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Major Prophets
Lamentations Five poems of grief over fallen Jerusalem, with hope in God's mercies that "are new every morning."
5 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 4 5 About Lamentations: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Major Prophets
Ezekiel A priest in exile sees God's glory leave the temple, and visions of a new heart, dry bones living and a restored temple.
48 chaptersIn the story: Exile in Babylon, 605 to 538 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 About Ezekiel: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Major Prophets
Daniel Daniel and his friends stay faithful in Babylon's court, and visions show God ruling over the kingdoms of men.
12 chaptersIn the story: Exile in Babylon, 605 to 538 BC Context cards
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 About Daniel: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Hosea The prophet's marriage to an unfaithful wife pictures God's steadfast love for unfaithful Israel.
14 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 About Hosea: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Joel A locust plague calls Judah to repent, with the promise that God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh.
3 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 About Joel: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Amos A shepherd from Tekoa warns prosperous Israel of judgment for injustice: "Let judgment run down as waters."
9 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 About Amos: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Obadiah Judgment on Edom for standing against its brother Judah, and the promise that "the kingdom shall be the LORD's."
1 chapterIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 About Obadiah: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Jonah A prophet runs from God's call, is swallowed by a great fish, and sees Nineveh repent.
4 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 4 About Jonah: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Micah Judgment and hope for Israel and Judah, a ruler to come from Bethlehem, and what the LORD requires.
7 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 About Micah: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Nahum The fall of Nineveh, Assyria's proud capital, foretold.
3 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 About Nahum: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Habakkuk A prophet questions God about evil and Babylon's rise, and learns that "the just shall live by his faith."
3 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 About Habakkuk: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Zephaniah The day of the LORD comes on Judah and the nations, and a humble remnant will be saved.
3 chaptersIn the story: Divided kingdom and the prophets, about 930 to 586 BC
1 2 3 About Zephaniah: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Haggai The returned exiles are stirred to finish rebuilding the temple.
2 chaptersIn the story: Return and rebuilding, 538 to about 430 BC
1 2 About Haggai: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Zechariah Visions to encourage the temple rebuilders, and prophecies of the coming King riding on a colt.
14 chaptersIn the story: Return and rebuilding, 538 to about 430 BC Context cards
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 About Zechariah: who wrote it, when and why Old Testament · Minor Prophets
Malachi The last Old Testament prophet calls priests and people back to faithfulness and promises the messenger to come.
4 chaptersIn the story: Return and rebuilding, 538 to about 430 BC
1 2 3 4 About Malachi: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Gospels
Matthew Jesus the promised King, son of David, in his life, teaching, death and resurrection.
28 chaptersIn the story: Jesus, about 5 BC to AD 30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 About Matthew: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Gospels
Mark A fast-moving account of Jesus the servant, who "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister."
16 chaptersIn the story: Jesus, about 5 BC to AD 30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 About Mark: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Gospels
Luke An orderly account of Jesus' life, written to Theophilus, showing the Saviour who seeks the lost.
24 chaptersIn the story: Jesus, about 5 BC to AD 30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 About Luke: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Gospels
John Signs and words of Jesus, "written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God."
21 chaptersIn the story: Jesus, about 5 BC to AD 30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 About John: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · History
Acts The Spirit comes at Pentecost and the gospel spreads from Jerusalem to Rome.
28 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 About Acts: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
Romans Paul sets out the gospel: all have sinned, and all who believe are made righteous by God's grace.
16 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 About Romans: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
1 Corinthians Paul corrects a divided church on unity, purity, worship, love and the resurrection.
16 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 About 1 Corinthians: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
2 Corinthians Paul defends his ministry and writes of God's comfort, generosity, and strength made perfect in weakness.
13 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 About 2 Corinthians: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
Galatians Paul insists that a person is justified by faith in Christ, not by the works of the law.
6 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 6 About Galatians: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
Ephesians God's plan to unite all things in Christ, and how a church made one in him should live.
6 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 6 About Ephesians: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
Philippians A letter of joy from prison, urging the mind of Christ and contentment in all things.
4 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 About Philippians: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
Colossians Christ is supreme over all, and believers are complete in him.
4 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 About Colossians: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
1 Thessalonians Encouragement for a young church on holy living and the Lord's coming.
5 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 About 1 Thessalonians: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
2 Thessalonians Steadiness under persecution, what must come before the day of the Lord, and a call to work quietly.
3 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95 Context cards
1 2 3 About 2 Thessalonians: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
1 Timothy Paul instructs Timothy on sound teaching, prayer, church leaders and godly living in Ephesus.
6 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95 Context cards
1 2 3 4 5 6 About 1 Timothy: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
2 Timothy Paul's last letter: hold fast to Scripture, endure hardship, and preach the word.
4 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 About 2 Timothy: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
Titus Paul tells Titus to appoint elders in Crete and teach the good works that fit sound doctrine.
3 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95 Context cards
1 2 3 About Titus: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Paul's letters
Philemon Paul asks Philemon to receive his runaway servant Onesimus back "as a brother beloved."
1 chapterIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95 Context cards
1 About Philemon: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Other letters
Hebrews Jesus is greater than the angels, Moses and the priesthood; hold fast and do not turn back.
13 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 About Hebrews: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Other letters
James Faith that works: trials, the tongue, the poor, and "faith without works is dead."
5 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 About James: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Other letters
1 Peter Hope and holy living for believers suffering as strangers in the world.
5 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 About 1 Peter: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Other letters
2 Peter Grow in grace, hold to Scripture, beware false teachers, and look for the day of the Lord.
3 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95 Context cards
1 2 3 About 2 Peter: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Other letters
1 John Walk in the light, love one another, and know that you have eternal life.
5 chaptersIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95
1 2 3 4 5 About 1 John: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Other letters
2 John Walk in truth and love, and do not welcome those who deny Christ came in the flesh.
1 chapterIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95 Context cards
1 About 2 John: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Other letters
3 John Praise for Gaius' hospitality to travelling preachers and a warning about Diotrephes.
1 chapterIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95 Context cards
1 About 3 John: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Other letters
Jude Contend for the faith once delivered to the saints against ungodly men who crept in.
1 chapterIn the story: The church, AD 30 to about 95 Context cards
1 About Jude: who wrote it, when and why New Testament · Prophecy
Revelation Jesus' revelation to John: letters to seven churches, visions of judgment, and the new heaven and new earth.
22 chaptersIn the story: The end and the new beginning, written about AD 95
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 About Revelation: who wrote it, when and why