7 Best One-Year and Chronological Bibles

Every January, someone in my church would tell me, “This is the year I read the whole Bible.” By Leviticus, half of them had stopped. The ones who made it usually had a plan built into their Bible, so they never had to wonder where to read next.

A one-year Bible splits Scripture into 365 daily readings. Some follow the order of the books with a little from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs each day. Chronological Bibles arrange the readings in the order events happened. Both make a wonderful Christmas gift for someone who wants to start fresh on January 1. If you only have a minute, start with my top three.

One-year Bibles compared

How I chose: I looked at how each Bible divides the reading, how readable the translation is for daily use, and what extra help it gives so readers don’t quit in March.

Best one-year Bibles in canonical order

1. Best Overall: The One Year Bible NLT

The One Year Bible is one of the most popular ways to read the whole Bible in a year. Each day mixes a portion of the Old Testament with the New Testament, a psalm and a few verses of Proverbs, so even on a slow day in Leviticus you’re also reading the Gospels. That variety is what keeps many first-timers going past February. The NLT keeps it easy to understand, and because every reading is dated, there’s no planning or bookmark juggling: just open to today and read. Most days take about 15 minutes, which fits before work or at lunch.

2. Best ESV One Year Bible: ESV One Year Bible

If your church preaches from the ESV, this edition lets you follow the same one-year pattern in the translation you hear on Sunday. Each day you get a portion of the Old Testament, the New Testament, a psalm and a proverb, so you’re never stuck in one book too long. The readings are dated, which makes it easy to pick up after a missed day and keep going. It’s a sturdy hardcover, so it holds up to a full year of daily use, and it makes a great January gift for a friend who has wanted to read the whole Bible for years.

Best chronological Bibles

3. Best Chronological: ESV Chronological Bible

For many readers, a chronological year is when the Bible finally clicks. You read the prophets alongside the kings they spoke to and Paul’s letters within the story of Acts. Crossway’s edition, arranged by scholar Andrew Steinmann, adds summaries and timelines so you always know where you are. The Bible is divided into eight eras, and the fold-out master timeline helps you see the big picture at a glance. The single-column text reads like a book, which makes long stretches of history easier to follow. It’s big, so plan on reading it at a desk or kitchen table.

4. Best NLT Chronological: The One Year Chronological Bible NLT

The same chronological approach in the NLT. It’s a great pick for someone reading through the Bible for the first time. The New Living Translation reads smoothly, so the story moves forward instead of bogging down in older wording. Reading events in the order they happened helps the whole thing make sense: Job sits near Genesis, the Psalms appear alongside David’s life, and the prophets show up as Israel and Judah fall. The softcover is light enough to carry to work or on a trip, so you don’t have to miss a day.

5. Best with Commentary: The Daily Bible (NIV)

LaGard Smith’s brief notes set the scene before each reading, so you know who’s speaking and why it matters. Readers have loved this one for decades. It’s arranged chronologically in 365 readings, and the short introductions work like a guide walking beside you, explaining what’s happening before you dive in. That makes it a strong pick for someone who has tried to read through the Bible before and gotten lost. A large print edition is also available for tired eyes.

Best companions for reading the Bible in a year

6. Best Companion: The Bible Recap

The Bible Recap follows a chronological plan and gives a short daily summary that ties the reading together and points out what it shows about God. Tara-Leigh Cobble’s key phrase is “He’s where the joy is,” and every recap comes back to that idea, so the year becomes about knowing God, not just checking boxes. The recaps take only a few minutes, and many readers use the free podcast alongside the book. It’s especially helpful for groups reading together. There’s also a Bible Recap ESV Chronological Study Bible that puts the recaps and the Bible in one volume:

7. Best for Men and Women: The One Year Bible for Men and for Women

These editions add a brief devotional to each day’s reading. A matching pair makes a thoughtful Christmas gift for a couple who want to start the year in the Word together. The daily readings are the same in both, so a husband and wife can read the same passages and then compare what stood out over dinner, while each devotional speaks to their own season of life. Both use the New Living Translation, which keeps the reading clear and approachable.

Tips for actually finishing

• Pick a time and a place. Same chair, same time, every day.
• Don’t quit when you miss a day. Skip ahead to today’s date and keep going.
• Read with someone. A spouse, a friend or a small group keeps you going.
• Want a structured study instead? See The Bible in 52 Weeks for Men and The Bible in 52 Weeks for Women, or try a Bible study app.

My final picks

Giving one for Christmas? See the best Bibles to give as gifts and my full Christian gift guide.