7 of My Favorite Books of the Bible and Why You Should Read Them

I love the Bible.

It’s weird saying that now because I used to cringe when I heard others say it.

No, it wasn’t that I didn’t believe the Bible—I became a Christian at a young age and I always respected it—but hearing someone say they loved the Scriptures always felt too…religion-y.

How could anyone love a Book filled with so many rules?

My perspective then reflected my own struggle with the faith. I can’t say I was ever ashamed of my beliefs, but I just wanted to be Drew then, not “the Christian kid”.

It’s funny how things change though.

I still want to be myself of course, but the Bible has made me feel more like myself than anything else ever has.

I’ve experienced the truth of what the Bible says. And when you taste the goodness of God yourself, its hard to not keep reading about Him.

That’s why I’ve gathered 7 of my favorite Bible books today. I’ve learned a lot from each of these and I think you’ll learn something too.

Please don’t worry about the rankings here though. All of Scripture is God’s Word, so it’s  all important.

These 7 are just my personal favorites, and I’ll show you why right now.

#7 Job

I’ll start with the Book of Job.

Job is part of the Bible’s wisdom literature along with Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (Song of Solomon and the Book of Psalms are also part of the wisdom literature, but the other three are more commonly grouped together). These three books show us how to live wisely in our world.

Now I’ll go ahead and admit, Job is a tough read.

Most of the book covers the discussion between Job and his friends after Job suffers horribly in the early chapters, and this dialogue is very dense material. But while the Book of Job doesn’t have the greatest readability, it contains crucial lessons to understand.

From Job we learn that even “good” people aren’t immune to suffering, that it’s okay to lament bad experiences, and that seeking God in the midst of those is a healthy thing to do.

We also see the danger of misunderstanding God’s character and how He operates—a lesson shown when God chastised Job’s friends for speaking wrongly about Him. And we get a glimpse of God’s sovereignty and power over all creation.

Job is an interesting story that relates the troubles of life to the bigger world around us. And it shows how even the hardest trials can strengthen the faith of believers.

Notable passages:

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. (Job 1:1)

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” (Job 1:8-11)

And a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:14-15)

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:16)

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:17)

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:18-19)

In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:22)

So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. (Job 2:7)

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”
But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2: 9-10)

“I cry out to You, but You do not answer me;
I stand up, and You regard me.
But You have become cruel to me;
With the strength of Your hand You oppose me.
You lift me up to the wind and cause me to ride on it;
You spoil my success.
For I know that You will bring me to death,
And to the house appointed for all living. (Job 30:20-23)

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:
“Who is this who darkens counsel
By words without knowledge?
Now prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding. (Job 38:1-4)

Then Job answered the LORD and said:
“I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. (Job 42:1-3)

Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. (Job 42:12-13)

#6 James

As you’ll see with some other books on this list, I love the aforementioned wisdom literature. Those books are all about spiritual maturity and learning, and they’re great for lifestyle application.

All of those books are in the Old Testament, and I just covered one of them in Job, but James is a book in the New Testament that follows with a similar style.

In it, James, the brother of Jesus, explains how faith in Christ leads to practical lifestyle changes. This fact even leads him to proclaim that “faith without works is dead.”

Considering the poor, forming peaceful relationships, and treating all people fairly are simple actions James says are proof of genuine belief. And these are the type of actions he encourages throughout the letter.

Overall, the Book of James is a thoughtful read that I sometimes wish was longer, but I always come away with something new each time I read it.

Notable passages:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. (James 1:12-14)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:20)

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. (James 3:13-14)

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)

#5 John

The Gospel of John is my favorite of the four Gospels.

While the other Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke focus more on Jesus’ life and teachings, John paints the best picture of who He actually is.

One of my favorite scenes from the book occurs when Jesus has His last supper with His disciples. It’s an intimate moment where Jesus shares heartfelt dialogue with his followers, and I’ll be honest, I can’t read through it all without tearing up.

You can just feel the goodness of Christ’s words as He speaks. And that moment with His disciples is one that still touches the hearts of readers today.

Notable passages:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14)

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:6-7)

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. (John 15:11-14)

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:20-21)

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. (John 21:25)

#4 Romans

If I had to name a book that served as Christianity 101, it would be the Book of Romans.

In it, the apostle Paul explains the significance of what Jesus did in the Gospels, and he connects those actions to events described in the other books of the Bible.

It’s like reading the text at the end of a movie that summarizes what just happened. And if you want to learn more about Christian doctrine, this is the first book you should study.

You’ll learn all about sin and it’s effect on humanity, the importance of God’s plan of redemption, and the fruition of that plan in Jesus Christ.

Notable passages:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:22-24)

But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness (Romans 4:5)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:12-13)

Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. (Romans 7:20-21)

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:2-3)

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:28-29)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. (Romans 12:14-16)

For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Romans 13:9)

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. (Romans 14:19)

#3 Genesis

The book that starts it all.

What I love about Genesis is that it’s full of diverse stories of the earliest believers, and it contains some of the most important parts of Christian doctrine.

Genesis covers the story of creation, the first human beings, original sin, human depravity, God’s plan of redemption, the early patriarchs, and the life of one of my favorite characters, Joseph.

I won’t explain why I love Joseph’s story here—that’s a topic for another post—but the character and faithfulness he displayed despite his circumstance is a great example for us all.

Notable passages:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31)

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)

And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2:18)

And Adam said:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:23-24)

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:4-6)

So the LORD God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15)

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:8)

And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. (Genesis 6:13-14)

Now the LORD had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3)

Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”
And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:5-6)

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:1-2)

And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (Genesis 22:12)

And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.” (Genesis 35:10-12)

Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” (Genesis 37:5-7)

Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened. Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. (Genesis 37:27-28)

And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. (Genesis 45:4-5)

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Genesis 50:20)

#2 Proverbs

The Book of Proverbs is what I call the textbook to life. It’s practical wisdom should be required reading for 18-year-olds around the globe.

When I was a kid, my favorite teacher told me how helpful Proverbs was and why I should read it. So it was the first book I studied when I got back into the Word years later.

Proverbs was written thousands of years ago, yet it’s wisdom is still applicable today. The book covers every aspect of life including finance, work ethic, communication, sex, discipline, and much more.

Proverbs shows us how God’s wisdom should shape our whole lives and worldview, not just our behavior on Sunday. There are even a few verses in it that the casual reader would never expect to find.

All of this is why I have a hard time putting the book down. I’ve seen the truth of its words hundreds of times over. So please don’t wait as long as I did to listen to my teacher’s advice.

Notable passages:

To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;
To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion (Proverbs 1:2-4)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
She cries out in the chief concourses,
At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning,
And fools hate knowledge. (Proverbs 1:20-22)

When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,
To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things,
From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness; (Proverbs 2:10-13)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. (Proverbs 3:13-15)

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength. (Proverbs 8:12-14)

He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
He who gathers in summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. (Proverbs 10:4-5)

When pride comes, then comes shame;
But with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20)

Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. (Proverbs 14:4)

The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps. (Proverbs 14:15)

A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. (Proverbs 15:1-2)

Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Proverbs 16:18-19)

To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)

Do you see a man who excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before unknown men. (Proverbs 22:29)

For a harlot is a deep pit,
And a seductress is a narrow well.
She also lies in wait as for a victim,
And increases the unfaithful among men. (Proverbs 23:27-28)

Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine. (Proverbs 23:29-30)

Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking. (Proverbs 24:1-2)

He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart; (Proverbs 26:24-25)

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2)

The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12)

#1 Ecclesiastes

If Proverbs is the textbook to life, then Ecclesiastes is on-the-job experience.

The speaker in Ecclesiastes praises the godly wisdom of Proverbs, but he also explains how general wisdom doesn’t guarantee anything in life.

The book shows us the need for a wise foundation, but it also explains the complexity of applying it in a sinful world.

Without that understanding, injustice will consume you, you’ll take everything too seriously, and you’ll think life is more predictable than it is. But the truth is that bad things happen to “good” people, competent workers go unrewarded, and injustice will always exist.

Ecclesiastes is great at this: acknowledging exceptions.

It’s a pragmatic take on life “under the sun”, yet it still concludes that following God is the right course of action—even when our world tries to prove otherwise.

Notable passages:

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
What profit has a man from all his labor
In which he toils under the sun?
One generation passes away, and another generation comes;
But the earth abides forever. (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4)

There is no remembrance of former things,
Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come
By those who will come after. (Ecclesiastes 1:11)

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. (Ecclesiastes 1:18)

Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 2:18-19)

Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. (Ecclesiastes 2:24)

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.
Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field. (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9)

Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart.
Sorrow is better than laughter,
For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. (Ecclesiastes 7:2-3)

For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense,
But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. (Ecclesiastes 7:12)

I have seen everything in my days of vanity:
There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness,
And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness. (Ecclesiastes 7:15)

And I find more bitter than death
The woman whose heart is snares and nets,
Whose hands are fetters.
He who pleases God shall escape from her,
But the sinner shall be trapped by her. (Ecclesiastes 7:26)

Who is like a wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
A man’s wisdom makes his face shine,
And the sternness of his face is changed. (Ecclesiastes 8:1)

Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. (Ecclesiastes 8:12)

I returned and saw under the sun that—
The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

Do not curse the king, even in your thought;
Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom;
For a bird of the air may carry your voice,
And a bird in flight may tell the matter. (Ecclesiastes 10:20)

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them”: (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

What Are Your Favorites?

So those are 7 of my favorites.

I’m obviously a fan of the wisdom books of the Bible, but this list is varied with Old and New Testament texts, diverse forms of literature, and differing text lengths.

If you’re reading the Bible for the first time, let me know which books here peak your interest. And if you’ve been reading for years, I’d like to know your favorites too.

-Drew