Each word and phrase in the ESV has been carefully weighed against the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, to ensure the fullest accuracy and clarity

Approved by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, and Scotland, as the basis for the new Lectionary (2022) and all future liturgical texts used by Catholics.

Beloved by millions around the world, the English Standard Version of the Bible is ideal for anyone looking for a contemporary and readable translation that is also accurate and consistent in its rendering of key words and phrases. This edition of the ESV is completely Anglicized and features the full Apocrypha. Presented in a double-column format, with explanatory footnotes providing alternative renderings of particular words and phrases, the ESV Bible with Apocrypha offers a clear, easy-to-read text that is perfect for everyday use. The ESV Bible is an excellent version for detailed Bible study, but one that also possesses a beauty, clarity and dignity of style that makes it superbly suitable for private devotion or for reading aloud during public worship. This Deluxe edition is presented in a stunning midnight blue leatherette binding, inlaid with bronze foil, with two ribbon markers to bookmark your favourite verses and keep track of your Bible study. A premium quality Bible, it will be loved by collectors and first-time buyers alike, and is a Bible you will delight in for years. It also makes a truly special gift for loved ones that they will treasure. Other features include: 9.5 pt font size An award-winning typeface Inline chapter headings Inline chapter numbers 12 maps White paper from sustainable sources

This is a short book focussing on the relationship between theology and prayer, and their effects on a Christian's life. It sets the reader tasks of self-examination and reflection in the light of Christian teaching.

Meister Eckhart, the fourteenth-century German mystic and theologian, is one of the most enigmatic and controversial figures in the history of the Church, and few have played so diverse and fertile a role in the cultural imagination. He has been seen as both heretic and 'the man from whom God nothing hid'; Christian mystic and Buddhist sage; Catholic and Protestant; feminist and ecologist; he is both medieval schoolman and inspirer of contemporary philosophers such as Heidegger, Bloch and Derrida. Oliver Davies's masterly evaluation of Eckhart is based on an unrivalled knowledge of the original texts, their historical and theological context, and their place in the Christian mystical tradition. The portrait of St Dominic on the cover (of the book) illustrates one of Davies's main themes: Eckhart's position in the mainstream Dominican tradition of grounding theology in spiritual experience. Both a stimulating scholarly study and an ideal introduction for the non-specialist, Meister Eckhart: Mystical Theologian explores the enduring fascination of Meister Eckhart, 'a mystic for our age'.

With his usual consummate clarity of thought and style, Michael Ramsey sets out to establish what the Spirit meant in the experience and the language of the early Christians. 'There are none from whom we can learn more about a theme so intimately linked with the coming of Jesus Christ.'

There are a great many Christians involved in politics today, both in and around parliament and at a local level. This book offers some serious resources to help them understand what the role of government should be.

As a minister or pastoral worker it is highly likely that, at some stage in your ministry, you will find yourself caring for people with psychiatric problems and their families. "The Pastoral Care of People with Mental Health Problems" provides an invaluable resource to help you provide the best care for those suffering from the most common problems, such as: depression, Alzheimer's disease, anorexia, addiction to drugs or alcohol, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anti-social personality disorder.As well as outlining the main psychiatric conditions and their treatments, the particular issues facing pastoral workers are examined and some of the ethical issues involved are discussed. Using a wealth of pastoral illustrations, the book offers practical advice and guidance for the care of individuals and families who find their lives turned upside down by psychiatric illness. It addresses questions such as: How can I help the family of a young girl who cuts herself? What is the difference between depression and an abnormal grief reaction? And how can I distinguish between a symptom of mental illness and genuine religious revelation? In cases of severe mental illness it will be necessary to work alongside medical, nursing and social work staff, and guidance on how to do this effectively is given.

John Eaton compares reading the Psalms to walking in the mountains: 'Time and time again you see a new crest to climb, but the summit remains beyond.' In "Psalms for Life", he explores the poetry as a never failing source of challenge, comfort and encouragement. Beginning with Psalm 1 and continuing through to Psalm 150, he provides a short reflection on each psalm, explaining the poet's essential message, and ending with a brief meditative prayer. Readers are helped to identify with the wide range of emotions expressed in the Psalms and to pray for God's loving guidance in dealing with them from day to day. As a distinguished biblical scholar who has studied the Psalms all of his life, John Eaton writes with warmth, clarity and authority. As a Christian, he sees the Psalms as prophetic of Christ, revealing vital and often little-known facts of his life and character. As a sensitive and skilful teacher, he draws out the full significance of these ancient songs as a source of wisdom and insight for all who live the Christian life today.

Since its first appearance in 1960 and revision in 1970, Documents of the Baptismal Liturgy has been widely praised both for its value as a source book and for the light it sheds on contemporary discussion of Christian initiation. The texts are in English, and a glossary of technical terms and a brief introduction to each document help to make them accessible to both the general and the specialist reader. This revised and expanded edition: retains all the sources previously included, many of which have been corrected and replaced with newer translations; incorporates Eastern Christian texts from the great East Syrian Church Fathers, Aphrahat and Ephrem, as well as selections from The Rite of the Assyrian Church of the East and the Maronite Rite; includes additional Western texts such as the famous Pentecost Homily attributed to Faustus of Riez, Letter 26 to Januarius from Pope Gregory 1, and the Rite of Confirmation from the Pontifical of William Durandus; Places individual councils in their respective geographic locales; lists sources and related publications in a variety of languages for each document studied or for each locale. "This is a most useful addition to liturgical study." Journal of Ecclesiastical History

Denise Inge introduces a selection from Thomas Traherne's writing in this, the third volume in this series on seventeenth century spiritual writers. This volume will contain some biographical detail and historical context, the story of the discovery of his work as well as a discussion of its literary and spiritual power. The main body of the anthology will cover both well known works such as a selection from the Centuries and also excerpts from newer discoveries, including a recent find from Lambeth Palace Library. Thomas Traherne 1636?-1674 was schooled at Brasenose College, Oxford, was ordainded and served in the village of Credenhill, Herefordshire.

Approved by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, and Scotland, as the basis for the new Lectionary (2022) and all future liturgical texts used by Catholics.

Approved by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, and Scotland, as the basis for the new Lectionary (2022) and all future liturgical texts used by Catholics.

We are all aware of problems in this world. Everyone knows what it is to be weary, to be disappointed, and to struggle. And we have a feeling that we were not meant for this. We are all searching for some solution to the problems of life. The question is, why are you unhappy? Why do things go wrong? Why is there illness and sickness? Why should there be death? Those are the questions with which the Bible deals. The Bible talks to you about your unhappiness. Some insist that the Bible, far from being practical, is really very remote from life. But nothing in the world is as practical as the teaching of the Bible. In order to answer questions about you, the Bible starts in the most extraordinary way: "In the beginning God..." It starts with God. Before I begin to ask any questions about myself and my problems, I ought to ask questions like this: Where did the world come from? Where have I come from? What is life itself? You come to me and say, "I'm unhappy. I'm in a crisis. What's the matter with me?" And the Bible says, "In the beginning God . . ." as if it has forgotten all about you. But it has not! The only way to understand yourself or your life is to start with God. And right at the very beginning, the Bible takes us there. The Bible also tells us that the world came into being because the eternal God made it. It tells us that God is the Creator, that he made everything out of nothing, by his own power, and he made it perfect. What's more, according to the Bible, man is a special creation of God. The Bible tells us, "God created man in his own image" (Genesis 1:27). It does not say that about anything else, only about human beings. Man was made by God, for God. He spoke to God, walked with God, and enjoyed God. And his life was one of perfect bliss. But into this perfect world made by God there entered another power, another force. Something came that was opposed to God and opposed to man, and it was bent upon one thing only-- wrecking God's perfect work. The Bible tells us that the Devil entered into this world, and by tempting the man and the woman, whom God had made, brought to pass everything bad that you and I know. Why are there jealousy and envy and misunderstanding? Why lust and passion? Why are homes and marriages broken? Why do little children suffer? Why all the agony and the pain of life? It is because there is this other power in the world that has dragged man down. That is the biblical explanation. You will find it in the Bible from beginning to end. And if that is true, how hopelessly and utterly inadequate are all the remedies that are being offered apart from the Bible. What's more, the Bible tells us that as the result of that original sin, all of us are in the grip of this evil power. Man, as the result of all this, is quite helpless; he has brought a curse upon himself and cannot escape it. He would like to, but he cannot. Man has been trying to get back into Eden ever since he went out of it. That is the whole history of civilization. That is the whole meaning of philosophy and all political thought and all the blueprints of utopias at all times and in all places--man trying to get back into paradise. But it is worse than merely not being in paradise. Man is under the judgment of God. He thought that he could forget God and that there would be no risk involved. He did not realize that the law of God is absolute. Both man as an individual and the whole world, according to the Bible, are under the judgment of God. You see, in the garden Adam and Eve thought they could eat the forbidden fruit and all would be well. Then they heard the voice of the Lord God, and they cowered and were frightened. Judgment had come, and they were thrust out. But, thank God, he intervenes! God, even at the moment of rebellion, tells man that he has a way to rescue him and to redeem him: "It [the seed of the woman] shall bruise thy [the serpent's] head" (Genesis 3:15). The serpent can only be mastered by one, and he has come--the seed of the woman, Jesus of Nazareth. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." JOHN 3:16 Christ, the Son of God, came into this world, took on our human nature, entered into our very situation, and defeated our enemy. He received judgment for us on the cross. God dealt with him there and pardons us, and our enemy is conquered. So the way to paradise is open, and it is open for you. All your problems, all your needs, arise from the fact of sin. That is the cause of all ill. And there is but one solution to the problem, the solution that God himself has provided in the person of his Son. ". . . that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." And that life begins here and now--a knowledge of God, assurance that you are right with God, that he will take you through death and announce in the judgment that you are already pardoned and forgiven. My dear friend, that is your problem, and that is the answer to your problem. Believe it. Accept it here and now. Go to that great God. Acknowledge your sinning against him, and thank him for his eternal love in sending his Son to rescue you and to redeem you by dying for you, and ask him to give you new life. And he will. I say that on the authority of Jesus who stated, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" ( John 6:37).

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing."8 For the family facing foreclosure... for the father diagnosed with terminal cancer... for the wife struggling to conceive... for the young girl considering abortion... for the thousands who lost jobs and life savings...there is hope. The Bible says that each of us has been created by God...that he loves us...and that he wants us to have a fulfilling life. "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly," Jesus said.1 He meant a life that goes beyond "mere existence" to a fulfilling life lived in harmony with the Creator's knowledge of us and his desires for us. But there is something that separates us from this "abundant life" that God intended. The Bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."2 It is because of this sin, this disobedience towards God, that every person is separated from him: "your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear."3 And even worse is the consequence of sin, eternal separation from God--"the wages [cost] of sin is death."4 However, in his love and mercy, God sent his sinless Son, Jesus, to pay the price of our sins' debt. Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ died on a cross, was buried, and then rose from the dead on the third day.5 It is only through the death of Jesus that we can be reconciled to God. And through his death, God offers the free gift of eternal life to all who believe in his name.6 There is no greater hope than this--the assurance of eternal life offered to us through Jesus Christ, and his promise to stay with us and sustain us in all circumstances: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ...For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.7 God offers this hope to you today. To accept his offer, begin by admitting that you are a sinner separated from God and in need of his forgiveness. Then trust only in Christ to save you from the consequences of your sins. Believe that Jesus died for your sins on the cross, and was raised from the dead in order to conquer death, bridging the gap caused by sin between you and God. Accept Jesus' offer to come into your life as your Savior. If you sincerely desire to have hope in Christ, tell God in words like these: "Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. Thank you for sending Jesus to suffer the punishment that I deserve for my sins. Please help me every day to turn from my sin and live a life that pleases you. Thank you for your gift of eternal life and for the hope I now have in you. Amen." Scripture references (ESV): 1 John 10:10, 2Romans 3:23, 3Isaiah 59:2, 4Romans 6:23, 51 Corinthians 15:3-4, 6Romans 3:23, John 3:36, 7Romans 8:35,38-39, 8Romans 15:13.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE Are you struggling with feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness? Are you feeling depressed and overwhelmed with financial problems, relationship difficulties, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one? Are you questioning whether life is even worth living anymore? Almost any unfortunate experience can make someone consider a drastic solution. Would it surprise you to learn that by this time tomorrow, an average of 117 people will have died from suicide? Beyond the deaths that are recorded as completed suicides, an estimated 2,900 people will have attempted to end their lives. In the United States, more than 42,000 people die each year by suicide*. Suicide is a whispered word--a taboo subject. Yet this may be what you are contemplating. If that's the case, the most important thing you can do is tell someone about how you're feeling. Don't become another statistic. People with failed suicide attempts relate that they tried to take their own lives because they couldn't get away from themselves and their disturbing thoughts. They weren't choosing death as much as choosing an end to their seemingly unbearable pain. The first thing you need to know is that you can't solve your problems on your own. GOD UNDERSTANDS He knows when we are losing our grip and on the brink of disaster. He is offering his hand to you this very moment. He will do for you what you cannot do for yourself. GOD LISTENS He wants you to pour out your innermost feelings to him. You think life has given you a raw deal? Tell God. You can't endure the grinding poverty, the painful illness, the distressing loneliness, the awfulness of whatever it is that has you so down? God's invitation is: "Come to me . . . and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). THE BIBLE SAYS "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31) GOD SPEAKS The Bible is the sourcebook for help and hope. When we ignore what God wants us to hear, we deprive ourselves of that which can enable us to hang on when the going gets tough. "Fear not, for I am with you," God says. "Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10). GOD SAVES The Bible assures us that God will not ignore a broken, humble heart (Psalm 41:17). If you truly want to be helped, confess to God that you've wandered from him, and acknowledge that Jesus is the only way back. Jesus died on the cross to forgive your sins, and he rose again to offer you new life. Perhaps you've never accepted the truth about Jesus, but you can trust him now. Ask him to come into your life and give you guidance, strength, wisdom, and right thinking. Turn your life over to Jesus--he will save you, forgive you, and empower you with a new and eternal life. GOD HEALS God changes people and changes situations. When you trust him as your Savior, you can become a truly new person. God keeps his promises. You'll find that the Bible is a magnificent story full of promises that God has made and fulfilled. PROMISE OF PSALM 40 "I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:1-3) GOD LOVES YOU God's love is best demonstrated through his Son, Jesus Christ. When Jesus was born to Mary, he was human in every form but without sin. By the sacrifice of Jesus's death, we are able to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. God's love is also visible in his people. Seek the help and friendship of other Christians. If you don't know any Christians, find a local Christian church--God will help to place the right people in your path. When you are suicidal, your perspective freezes and logic becomes confused. Many underlying tensions have pulled you down. But the good news is that you don't have to stay that way! Whatever has brought you this low will NOT remain forever. By placing yourself in God's care--you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, including a present, a future, and an eternity that will be better because God, and you, are in it. God can change your life if you let him. Call out to God in a prayer such as this: Dear God, I have come to the end of myself.I have nothing left, and I want to turn to you to save me. I believe your only Son, Jesus, died and rose again to pay for my sins. I receive your love and forgiveness based on what he did for me. Help me, God, to become whole, so that I may have a relationship with you and become a new person for eternity. Amen. * Suicide statistics taken from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2016: www.afsp.org.

With soft-touch covers, gold foil, rounded corners and ribbon marker, these hardback notebooks are ready to be filled with your creative ideas. Further features include: Graduated colour cover 90 gsm white paper Open-flat binding Lined pages Coloured endpapers Sustainably sourced

Bringing together over 1,200 prayers, both classic and contemporary, The SPCK Book of Christian Prayer is an inspiring and practical resource for Christians of all denominations. This prestigious collection encompasses a wide and varied range of Christian prayers, making it an essential handbook for all who want to deepen and enhance their prayer life, as well as for those involved in leading others in worship - whether in church, in school or in the home. The prayers are helpfully arranged under practical subject headings, and there is a comprehensive index of subjects, with cross references throughout.

I HAVE A FRIEND who is always faithful; who can meet all your needs; who will never leave you. This friend is Jesus Christ. Since I have known him, he has been faithful in all his promises. He is " . . . the same yesterday and today and forever"(Hebrews 13:8). Through my joys and sorrows he has been a "friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). I first met him when I read his invitation in the Bible: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). I came to him, and he freed me from my burden of sin and guilt and gave me hope for living. Daily he meets my needs. He promises, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. . . . Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27). When I am lonely and worried, I remember his words: "I will not leave you or forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). I know that even at the hour of death he will remain with me, and one day he will take me to heaven to live with him. How can you and I be sure of Christ's love? The Bible says, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). We can be assured of his love because he, the sinless Son of God, suffered for our sins on the Cross of Calvary. We can know that Christ's love is everlasting. Because he rose from the grave and returned to the Father in heaven, he can say, "I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore" (Revelation 1:17-18). Yes, we can trust the Lord Jesus as our eternal friend. He invites us: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). If you have never trusted Jesus as your Savior, invite him into your life today. Follow him and he will never fail you. "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life" (John 5:24).

Looking for a special card to give to your loved ones this Christmas? These cards are crafted with you in mind. Simple, special, personal and plainspoken - with their beautiful designs, these cards do all the talking. Sustainably sourced, the cards come in packs of 10 with envelopes included. Comes in two typographic designs, one featuring the word 'Silent Night' and the other containing 'Joy to the World' in tan text.

Looking for a special card to give to your loved ones this Christmas? These cards are crafted with you in mind. Simple, special, personal and plainspoken - with their beautiful designs, these cards do all the talking. Sustainably sourced, the cards come in packs of 10 with envelopes included. Comes in two typographic designs, one featuring the word 'Holy Night' in large, blue text with the other containing 'Joy to the World' in red over red. The interior message reads Happy Christmas.

With soft-touch covers, gold foil, rounded corners and a ribbon marker, these hardback notebooks are ready to be filled with your creative ideas. Further features include: Graduated colour cover 90 gsm white paper Open-flat binding Lined pages Coloured endpapers Sustainably sourced