How about an update from everyone who is still working on hand writing the Bible. I started on Psalms about 6 months ago and I am up to Chapter 80. I have noticed several benefits from this exercise. First, I am reading the bible with real concentration. I am having to look carefully at the words and puncuation in order to carefully transcribe it and I am noticing things that I never saw before. Second, for me this is a really relaxing exercise. I work on it at night and no matter how stressful the day, an hour or so of writing seems to bring a real calmness and peace to my soul. Third, my handwriting has improved substantially.
How about everyone else?

An excellent idea. Do you use a caligraphy font? You can upload some sample pictures for viewing.
I wish you all the best in your effort.
Regards,
Denny

I have just finished The Gospel of Mark for the FPN Bible project. It took about 50 days. I, as well, found it very relaxing and noticed many things I had not noticed before. Like the bread and fishes story told twice. Too much punctuation! Very redundant at times. I thought to myself about half way through it that if I have to write "And he said to them..."one more time I'm gonna lose it! But I indeed wrote it many more times!! Each book is different, I think, so what I said about the text will not always apply. My writing has also gotten much better, but I noticed that if I wrote for too long a period it would start to deteriorate.
Next will be The Book of Ruth. I'm going to use the Jewish Publication Society translation. I look forward to it because it is a very short book and I can try Illuminated Capitals and such. It will be fun.

I'm taking a Bible study course and one of the assignments was to write a particular chapter in Romans. I too was amazing at how much more I got out of this chapter through the exercise of copying it. I know what you mean about "noticing things that I never saw before."

Judybug

Off Topic: Robert Alter has a new translation of the Book of Psalms with Commentary. I have read a few Psalms from it; his commentary notes alone are worth it. His translation and commentary of the Book of Genesis was revelatory.

I'm making slow progress on the second half of Proverbs. I've completed 3 chapters.

Andy

Neat idea! I wouldn't mind seeing some scans of your work as well! I read a Proverb each day (two on 30 day months) I may start writing the Proverbs in December.

Thanks for the post!

Would somebody please tell me what size paper we are to use. I want to get started on the part of Romans that I committed to, but I don't know whether to use 8 1/2" x 11" paper or 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" or some other size. Also are we doing two columns on each page? Maybe this information is in that other 10 page thread, but I don't want to wade through all that. So those of you who have already started and are working like Trojans, please help me! I want to play, too.

Judybug

This is how I understand it. A5 is going to be the final size no matter what. If you choose to write on A4 paper, that is fine but it is going to be reduced to fit in the final scanned edition. That is if we live long enough to see it! I did the Gospel of Mark on A5 and found it rather cramped. I wanted to do two columns but found it impossible. I think I am going to do the Book of Ruth on A4 with 2 columns and try to write large enough that the reduction will not look too strange.

blue suede - MANY THANKS! Maybe I'll get started now.

Judybug