The Message Bible

Latest publication: 2002
Publisher: NavPress

Sample Old Testament Verse (Isaiah 53:5)
But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him – our sins! He took the punishment and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. (formatted as poetry)

Sample New Testament Verse (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned.

Study Bibles with the MSG text

• The Message/Remix
• The Message Study Bible Capturing the Notes and Reflections of Eugene H. Peterson

Devotional Bible Options

• Women of Faith The Message Bible

Format Information

The text is in paragraph format and the poetry sections are formatted as poetry. There are section headings, but some of them cover several chapters. The Old and New Testament each have their own introduction pages. And each book has its own introduction page. But in the Old Testament there are also introduction pages for groupings of books. There is an introduction to the Books of Moses, the History Books, Wisdom Books, and the Prophets.

The Message Bible comes with a topic index. A concordance is not available for this translation.

Translation Information

By its nature The Message would be considered a dynamic equivalent translation. Peterson states, “The Message is a reading Bible. It is not intended to replace the excellent study Bibles that are available. My intent here is simply to get people reading it who don’t know that the Bible is readable. . . . At some point along the way, soon or late, it will be important to get a standard study Bible to facilitate further study.”

Description by the Publisher

The Message Bible translation was shaped by the hand of a working pastor, Eugene Peterson. Where most translations are made by a committee, Dr. Peterson is the sole translator of the The Message Bible. It is written in ‘the language of Today, the language we use to gossip and tell stories, give directions and do business, sing songs and talk to our children.”