The Message: The New Testament Psalms and Proverbs in Contemporary Language

Exactly what I needed!!
By sally tarbox on 9 March 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
I'm not a Greek or Hebrew scholar, but am going with my gut feeling that if you're studying theology this is NOT what you want, as it's quite a free, modern version of the Scriptures.
HOWEVER I'm reading this as a tired, easily-stumbled Christian who looks at her normal Bibles, the formal English, the sometimes unclear phrasing, the formulaic passages that we intone without even thinking ("Our Father, who art in heaven...) At the end of the day, it's so easy to protest "I can't face reading that tonight" and leave Bible standing while I pick up a novel instead.
I acquired this by total chance from charity shop I work at (liberated from box of 'unsaleable' works show more awaiting recycling!) And it's totally ALIVE, like reading any 21st century work.
Thus the Lord's prayer moves from a tired, stilted drone to the (I think) more inspirational (if free translation) of:
"Our Father in heaven
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right,
Do what's best-
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals,
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others,
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes."

So to me a work for everyday reading; the 'proper' translations for deeper study. Have ordered the whole Bible in this version. show less

I love this contemporary Bible! It’s not the most accurate translation—it’s really not fair to even call it a translation, but rather a paraphrase betraying Peterson’s religious convictions—but I just find it enjoyable to read. It’s poetic and beautiful. Do not use it as a study Bible, but as an inspiring read.

I chose the book of John to highlight some of the translations, so you can get a feel for the wording. These aren’t my favorite passages, but they do highlight what I mean by a “paraphrasing.”

KJV: John 1:12-13, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but show more of God.

Message: But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves. These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten.

KJV: John 1:31, And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

Message: I knew nothing about who he was—only this: that my task has been to get Israel ready to recognize him as the God-Revealer. That is why I came here baptizing with water, giving you a good bath and scrubbing sins from your life so you can get a fresh start with God.

KJV: John 3:29-30, He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.

Message: The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom’s friend, his ‘best man’—that’s me—in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start? That’s why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.

KJV: John 6:43-44, Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except he Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Message: Jesus said, “Don’t bicker among yourselves over me. You’re not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me—that’s the only way you’ll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End. show less

A horrid modern paraphrase that might give you the "gist" of the Bible, but in effect obscures and makes opaque the true meaning of the Bible. Stick to the KJV and a good literal translation if you don't know Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek.

I love the easy rendering of this paraphrase.

The Message brings the life-changing power of the New Testament, the vibrant passion of the Psalms, and the rich, practical wisdom of Proverbs into easy-to-read modern language that echoes the rhythm and idioms of the original Greek and Hebrew. Written in the same kind of language you'd use to talk to friends, write a letter, or discuss politics, The Message preserves the authentic, earthy flavor and the expressive character of the Bible's best-loved books. - from the publisher