Quick start

If you are new to The Word Alone, follow this order—the same sequence on the Start here page:

1. Read a chapter — Open the reader with parallel translations and study tools.
2. Find a passage — Try John 3:16 or search for words across translations.
3. Open commentary or word study — Matthew Henry, Strong's, and maps open from the reader Study column.
4. Save a note — Highlights and reflections stay on your device—export anytime.
5. Explore maps, timeline & library — Places, history, creeds, and classic theology works.

No account is required. Notes and highlights stay in your browser unless you export them. Theme (light / dark / system) is in the header on every page.

Do I need an account to use The Word?

No. You can read Scripture, search, use timelines, maps, Strong's, creeds, and theology works without signing in.

Where are my Bible notes and highlights stored?

Notes and highlights are stored locally in your browser on this device. Use Notes to create and export; Reflect opens a chapter to review notes beside Scripture. Nothing is uploaded unless you export it yourself.

Is The Word free?

Yes. The site is free to use and ad-free. Some Library texts have their own copyright terms; see Legal for sources and notices.

How do I share a Bible passage?

Open Read, go to the chapter or verse you want, and use Share or Copy passage link in the reader toolbar. The URL includes book, chapter, and verse when set.

How do I look up a passage like John 3:16?

Use Search or the passage field on the home page. Enter references such as Jn 3:16 or search for words and phrases across translations available on this site.

Which Bible translations are available?

The reader lists every translation currently available on this site (often dozens from the Bible SuperSearch corpus). If a translation is missing, it may not be offered here yet.

What is the scarlet thread graph?

Scarlet thread is an interactive overview of messianic and thematic links between the 66 books—useful for seeing how themes run through Scripture.

Can I use The Word offline?

You need a network connection to load Scripture text and most reference content. Notes already saved in your browser remain on the device; full offline reading is not supported yet.

The home page is a calm entry point. Use Resume (when shown) to continue where you left off in the reader, or open Read, Plan, Notes, and other shortcuts. Maps, creeds, theology, and classic texts live in the Library and open from the reader Study column when you need them. Full texts such as On the Bondage of the Will are linked from the debate overview and this help page—not every title appears in the menu.

Theme (light / dark / system) is available in the header on every page. No account is required to use the site.

Search Scripture opens passages (e.g. Jn 3:16, comma-separated verses like Bible Gateway) or searches for words and phrases across translations available on this site. The home page passage field is a shortcut to the same passage lookup.

Popular passages: John 3:16, Psalm 23, Genesis 1, Romans 8:28, Philippians 4:13, Proverbs 3:5, Matthew 5, Isaiah 53.

Read is the chapter reader. Choose book and chapter from the controls, pick a translation from the list (only translations currently available on this site appear as selectable). The URL stores your place (book, chapter, translation, optional verse) so you can bookmark or share a passage.

Keyboard: N / P or [ / ] previous and next chapter; F focus reading; S toggle Study; / search this passage; Ctrl+K focus the book menu—when focus is not in a text field.

Verse: when a chapter is loaded, use the small Verse field next to the chapter controls: type a verse number and press Enter to jump (or use the next/previous controls at the bottom of the passage).

Canon & order: the reader uses the standard sixty-six-book Protestant canon in the usual book order. Deuterocanonical books are not included in Read.

Parallel reading: set Compare with to a second translation. Two columns appear for the same chapter; verse numbers align by position.

Study column: choose Study in the header to open Matthew Henry commentary, book context, Strong's, meditation, notes, and the on-device assistant. On wide screens, drag the divider to resize. On phones, commentary and context also appear in collapsible panels under the passage. Focus reading hides study tools until you turn it off or open Study again.

Turn on Study, then pick a category: Background (commentary and context), Reference (Strong's), or Notes & Reflect (meditation, notes, assistant). Phone: press and hold a verse number for notes and marker colors. Desktop: long-press cycles the marker; right-click picks a color (and notes). Double-click for notes. Phrase highlights: select text, then color, Notes, or cancel.

Verse numbers support notes, bookmarks, highlights, and phrase selection (see Notes & backup). Preferences (type size, reader typeface, focus reading, advanced display) live in the reader Display menu.

Plan lists structured reading schedules. Open a plan to see day-by-day (or segment) assignments and links into the reader. Plans help pace reading; your progress is saved in this browser.

If today's readings don't appear, check your connection and reload the page once.