ESV Digital Scripture Journal FAQ

This article is part of the ESV Digital Scripture Journal series.

What is the ESV Digital Scripture Journal?

The ESV Digital Scripture Journal was created specifically for use with a digital tablet and stylus. Every purchase of the ESV Digital Scripture Journal includes four PDFs, each containing the full text of the ESV Bible. Each PDF features the ESV Bible text in a different page orientation and color style, including:

  • Portrait orientation, light mode
  • Portrait orientation, dark mode
  • Landscape orientation, light mode
  • Landscape orientation, dark mode

Upon purchase, your order-confirmation email will include a direct link to your digital library, where you can download the files. To try out the ESV Digital Scripture Journal for yourself, download a free sample of the book of Romans.

Will the ESV Digital Scripture Journal work on my device?

The ESV Digital Scripture Journal is compatible with any digital device that can open a PDF file, including digital tablets, smart phones, laptop computers, and desktop computers. However, the ESV Digital Scripture Journal was optimized for use with a digital tablet and stylus.

Can I download the ESV Digital Scripture Journal on all of my devices?

Yes, you are welcome to download and use the ESV Digital Scripture Journal on all of your personal devices. However, you are not permitted to distribute any portion of the PDFs to anyone else.

What apps would you recommend I use with my ESV Digital Scripture Journal?

Virtually every digital tablet device offers native support for reading PDFs (annotation features may vary from device to device). However, third party apps are available that may allow you to get more out of your ESV Digital Scripture Journal.

When choosing an app to use with your ESV Digital Scripture Journal, features that may be important include changing the color and size of the digital pen; highlighting text; tapping on internal links within the PDF; copying, pasting, moving, and resizing your annotations; duplicating pages; inserting images or photos; and inserting text copied from a website or ebook.

For more information, see 10 Apps to Use with Your ESV Digital Scripture Journal.

How do I use the interactive table of contents?

The interactive table of contents was designed to make navigating to a specific passage in your ESV Digital Scripture Journal as fast and intuitive as possible. To get to the interactive table of contents, simply tap on the small table of contents icon in the top left corner of every page of Bible text. From there, you will see a comprehensive list of every book of the Bible. Tapping a specific book will take you to that book’s comprehensive chapter list. Tapping on a specific chapter will take you to that particular chapter of Scripture.

How do I use the blank notes page?

Your ESV Digital Scripture Journal includes a blank notes page (accessible via a link in the introduction and the table of contents) which can be duplicated and then inserted wherever you need more space within the pages of the Bible text. To use the blank notes page in this way, your app must support duplicating/inserting pages within the PDF file.

Can I print my ESV Digital Scripture Journal?

Yes, you are permitted to print your ESV Digital Scripture Journal for personal use. However, you are not permitted to share or distribute copies of any pages with others.

Visit crossway.org/DigitalScriptureJournal for more tips, ideas, and tutorials related to using the ESV Digital Scripture Journal.


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Introducing the ESV Digital Scripture Journal

Designed from the ground up for use with a digital tablet and stylus, the ESV Digital Scripture Journal is an innovative resource created to maximize the best of the digital Bible and print Bible experience.


Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel through publishing gospel-centered, Bible-centered content. Learn more or donate today at crossway.org/about.