A guide to the books of the Bible

All 66 books, grouped the way they sit in the Bible, each with a one-line description and a short heading for every chapter.

Old Testament

The Law

• GenesisBeginnings: creation, the flood, Abraham to Joseph
• ExodusRescue from Egypt, the Ten Commandments, the tabernacle
• LeviticusOfferings, purity, holy living, and the feasts
• NumbersForty years in the wilderness, from Sinai toward Canaan
• DeuteronomyMoses’ farewell words before Israel enters the land

History

• JoshuaCrossing the Jordan, conquering the land, dividing it among the tribes
• JudgesIsrael’s cycle of failure and rescue: Deborah, Gideon, Samson
• RuthLoyalty and kindness: Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz
• 1 SamuelSamuel, Saul’s kingship, and David’s rise
• 2 SamuelDavid’s reign: his triumphs, his sin, and his troubles
• 1 KingsSolomon’s temple, the divided kingdom, Elijah
• 2 KingsElisha, the fall of Israel and then Judah
• 1 ChroniclesFamily lines and David’s reign, told with the temple in view
• 2 ChroniclesSolomon’s temple and the kings of Judah to the exile
• EzraThe exiles return and rebuild the temple
• NehemiahRebuilding Jerusalem’s wall and renewing the people
• EstherA Jewish queen in Persia and the rescue of her people

Poetry & Wisdom

• JobA good man suffers; his friends and God speak
• PsalmsSongs of praise, prayer, lament, and trust
• ProverbsShort sayings on wisdom, work, words, and daily life
• EcclesiastesA teacher asks what is worth doing under the sun
• Song of SolomonA love poem between a bride and her beloved

Major Prophets

• IsaiahJudgment, comfort, and the coming servant and king
• JeremiahA prophet’s warnings before Jerusalem falls, and the promise of a new covenant
• LamentationsPoems of grief over Jerusalem, with hope in God’s mercy
• EzekielVisions among the exiles: judgment, then renewal
• DanielFaithful exiles in Babylon, and visions of what is to come

Minor Prophets

• HoseaGod’s faithful love for an unfaithful people
• JoelA locust plague, the day of the Lord, and the Spirit poured out
• AmosA herdsman’s call for justice
• ObadiahA short word against Edom
• JonahA reluctant prophet and a merciful God
• MicahJustice, mercy, and a ruler from Bethlehem
• NahumThe fall of Nineveh
• HabakkukA prophet questions God and learns to trust
• ZephaniahThe day of the Lord, and a remnant restored
• HaggaiRebuild the temple
• ZechariahNight visions, the coming king, and the day of the Lord
• MalachiA final word: faithfulness, and the messenger who prepares the way

New Testament

Gospels & Acts

• MatthewThe Gospel of Jesus the Messiah, teacher and king
• MarkThe fast-moving story of Jesus the servant and Son of God
• LukeThe Gospel of Jesus for all people, with many parables
• JohnJesus the Word made flesh: signs, “I am” sayings, and the cross
• ActsThe early church spreads from Jerusalem to Rome

Paul's Letters

• RomansPaul’s fullest account of the gospel: sin, grace, faith, and living it out
• 1 CorinthiansPaul answers a divided church: unity, conduct, gifts, love, resurrection
• 2 CorinthiansPaul defends his ministry: comfort, weakness, and generosity
• GalatiansFreedom in Christ, not by works of the law
• EphesiansGod’s grace, one new people in Christ, and how to live it
• PhilippiansJoy and humility in Christ, written from prison
• ColossiansThe supremacy of Christ and the new life in him
• 1 ThessaloniansEncouragement to a young church, and hope at Christ’s return
• 2 ThessaloniansSteadiness while waiting for the day of the Lord
• 1 TimothyPaul’s guidance to Timothy for leading a church
• 2 TimothyPaul’s last letter: be faithful and pass the faith on
• TitusLeading and living well in the churches of Crete
• PhilemonA personal appeal for a runaway slave, Onesimus

Other Letters

• HebrewsJesus is greater: a better priest, covenant, and sacrifice
• JamesPractical wisdom: faith shown in how we live
• 1 PeterHope and holy living for believers who suffer
• 2 PeterGrow in knowledge, and watch for false teachers
• 1 JohnWalking in the light: truth, love, and assurance
• 2 JohnA short letter on truth and love
• 3 JohnA short letter praising hospitality
• JudeA short warning to contend for the faith

Prophecy

• RevelationVisions of Christ, judgment, and the new creation