The Message (Bible)


The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language is a highly idiomatic translation of the Bible by Eugene H. Peterson published in segments from 1993 to 2002. It is a simplistic translation of the Bible's original languages. The Message is a personal paraphrase of the Bible in English by Peterson from the original languages. The contemporary American slang used in the translation deviates from a more neutral International English, and it falls on the extreme dynamic end of the dynamic and formal equivalence spectrum.

Features

According to the Introduction to the New Testament of The Message, its "contemporary idiom keeps the language of the Message current and fresh and understandable". Peterson notes that in the course of the project, he realized this was exactly what he had been doing in his thirty-five years as a pastor, "always looking for an English way to make the biblical text relevant to the conditions of the people".

Translation Consultants

The publisher states: "Peterson's work has been thoroughly reviewed by a team of recognized Old and New Testament scholars to ensure that it is accurate and faithful to the original languages."
Old Testament team:
New Testament team:
The Message was published piecemeal over a nine-year period. The New Testament was published in 1993. The Old Testament Wisdom Books were published in 1998. The Old Testament Prophets were published in 2000. The Old Testament Pentateuch were released in 2001. The Books of History came out in 2002. The entire Bible was released the same year and follows the traditional Protestant Biblical canon.

Comparison to other translations

The Message was translated by Peterson from the original languages. It is a highly idiomatic translation, using contemporary slang from the US rather than a more neutral International English, and it falls on the extreme dynamic end of the dynamic and formal equivalence spectrum. Some scholars, like Michael J. Gorman, consider some of Peterson's idiomatic renderings unconventional.

Psalm 23:1-4

King James Version:
The Living Bible:
The Message:

Lord's Prayer">History of the Lord's Prayer in English">Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

King James Version:
The Living Bible:
The Message:

Editions

Old Testament:
New Testament:
Entire Bible: