| Book |
Description
|
| Old Testament — The Pentateuch (Torah)
|
| Genesis |
The creation of the world, the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), and the Israelites' descent into Egypt.
|
| Exodus |
The Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and the construction of the Tabernacle.
|
| Leviticus |
Laws and regulations concerning sacrifices, ritual purity, and holiness.
|
| Numbers |
The Israelites' wilderness wanderings, census data, and further laws.
|
| Deuteronomy |
Moses' farewell speeches restating the Law before the Israelites enter the Promised Land.
|
| Old Testament — Historical Books
|
| Joshua |
The Israelite conquest and settlement of Canaan under Joshua's leadership.
|
| Judges |
A cycle of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance under various tribal leaders (judges) before the monarchy.
|
| Ruth |
The story of a Moabite woman's loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law, and her marriage to Boaz.
|
| 1 Samuel |
The transition from the judges to the monarchy, covering Samuel, Saul, and the rise of David.
|
| 2 Samuel |
The reign of King David, including his triumphs and failures.
|
| 1 Kings |
Solomon's reign, the building of the Temple, and the division of the kingdom.
|
| 2 Kings |
The history of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah through to the Babylonian exile.
|
| 1 Chronicles |
Genealogies and a retelling of David's reign with emphasis on worship and the Temple.
|
| 2 Chronicles |
A retelling of the history of Judah from Solomon to the exile, focused on the Temple and faithful kings.
|
| Ezra |
The return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple.
|
| Nehemiah |
The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the restoration of communal religious life.
|
| Esther |
A Jewish woman becomes queen of Persia and saves her people from a plot to destroy them.
|
| Old Testament — Wisdom and Poetry
|
| Job |
A righteous man's suffering and his dialogues with friends about the nature of divine justice.
|
| Psalms |
A collection of 150 hymns, prayers, and poems used in Israelite worship.
|
| Proverbs |
A collection of wise sayings and instructions on virtuous and prudent living.
|
| Ecclesiastes |
A philosophical meditation on the meaning of life, the limits of wisdom, and the inevitability of death.
|
| Song of Songs |
A series of love poems celebrating romantic and physical love.
|
| Old Testament — Major Prophets
|
| Isaiah |
Prophecies of judgment and salvation, including visions of a future messianic age.
|
| Jeremiah |
Warnings of coming destruction of Jerusalem and promises of a new covenant.
|
| Lamentations |
Poetic laments mourning the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
|
| Ezekiel |
Visions and prophecies from a priest in Babylonian exile, including the valley of dry bones and a future restored Temple.
|
| Daniel |
Stories of faithfulness in the Babylonian court and apocalyptic visions of future kingdoms.
|
| Old Testament — Minor Prophets
|
| Hosea |
God's faithful love for Israel portrayed through Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful wife.
|
| Joel |
A locust plague as a sign of the coming Day of the Lord, and a promise of the outpouring of God's spirit.
|
| Amos |
Denunciations of social injustice in Israel and warnings of divine judgment.
|
| Obadiah |
A short prophecy against Edom for its betrayal of Judah.
|
| Jonah |
A prophet sent to Nineveh who tries to flee from God, is swallowed by a great fish, and ultimately delivers his message.
|
| Micah |
Prophecies of judgment and hope, including the promise of a ruler from Bethlehem.
|
| Nahum |
A prophecy announcing the fall of Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire.
|
| Habakkuk |
A dialogue with God about why the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer.
|
| Zephaniah |
Warnings of the Day of the Lord and a promise of restoration for a faithful remnant.
|
| Haggai |
Exhortations to the returned exiles to rebuild the Temple.
|
| Zechariah |
Apocalyptic visions and messianic prophecies encouraging the post-exilic community.
|
| Malachi |
Rebukes of Israel's unfaithfulness and a promise of a coming messenger to prepare the way of the Lord.
|
| New Testament — Gospels
|
| Matthew |
The life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus, with emphasis on his role as the Jewish Messiah.
|
| Mark |
The earliest and shortest Gospel, presenting Jesus as a man of action and the suffering Son of God.
|
| Luke |
A detailed account of Jesus' life with emphasis on compassion for the poor, outcasts, and Gentiles.
|
| John |
A theological portrayal of Jesus as the divine Word made flesh, with extended discourses and unique miracle accounts.
|
| New Testament — History
|
| Acts of the Apostles |
The spread of the early Church from Jerusalem to Rome, focusing on Peter and Paul.
|
| New Testament — Pauline Epistles
|
| Romans |
Paul's systematic presentation of the gospel: sin, justification by faith, and life in the Spirit.
|
| 1 Corinthians |
Paul addresses divisions, moral issues, and questions about worship in the Corinthian church.
|
| 2 Corinthians |
Paul defends his apostleship and reflects on suffering, generosity, and the power of God in weakness.
|
| Galatians |
Paul argues that justification comes through faith in Christ, not through the Jewish Law.
|
| Ephesians |
A letter on the unity of the Church as the body of Christ and practical instructions for Christian living.
|
| Philippians |
A warm letter of joy and encouragement written from prison, including a hymn on Christ's humility.
|
| Colossians |
Paul affirms the supremacy of Christ over all creation and warns against false teachings.
|
| 1 Thessalonians |
Encouragement to a young church, with teaching on Christ's return and the resurrection of the dead.
|
| 2 Thessalonians |
Further teaching on the Day of the Lord and exhortations to steadfastness.
|
| 1 Timothy |
Instructions to a young church leader on doctrine, worship, and church organization.
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| 2 Timothy |
Paul's final letter, urging Timothy to remain faithful in the face of suffering and false teaching.
|
| Titus |
Instructions on appointing church leaders and living godly lives in Crete.
|
| Philemon |
A personal appeal to Philemon to receive back his runaway slave Onesimus as a brother in Christ.
|
| New Testament — General Epistles
|
| Hebrews |
An argument for the superiority of Christ and the new covenant over the old, with exhortations to persevere in faith.
|
| James |
A practical letter on living out faith through good works, controlling the tongue, and caring for the poor.
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| 1 Peter |
Encouragement to Christians suffering persecution to remain hopeful and holy.
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| 2 Peter |
Warnings against false teachers and a reminder of Christ's promised return.
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| 1 John |
A meditation on God's love, the test of true fellowship, and assurance of eternal life.
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| 2 John |
A brief letter warning against false teachers and urging love and obedience.
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| 3 John |
A personal note commending hospitality and condemning a domineering church leader.
|
| Jude |
A short letter warning against false teachers who have infiltrated the community.
|
| New Testament — Apocalyptic
|
| Revelation |
Apocalyptic visions of the end times, the final triumph of God over evil, and the new heaven and new earth.
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