The Message: The New Testament in Contemporary Language

Great condition for the price. Easy to read translation for beginners starting to read the Bible. I use it as a back up to get a better translation. If something in the new King James, or one of the other translations, I’m still a little bit perplexed on.

I enjoy The Message translation as a study supplement to my KJV. I find it especially helpful when reading Romans or the other Epistles, as it helps clarify some meanings for me and puts things in language I can understand. And studies have proven that when things are worded in a simple, clear way, then the information is more easily remembered and assimilated. So, the wording in "The Message" is often more effective for me for remembering continually important commands and doctrinal points.For example, the KJV version of Romans 2:5-6 says: "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds.The Message version of Romans 2:5-6 says, "You're not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it's going to blaze hot and high, God's fiery and righteous judgment."To me, that words it in a way that hits home--because I can instantly be convicted of areas where I "refuse and avoid God." After reading this paraphrase in The Message, I actually have had to change my actions, because I so fully understand the implications of them.Another good example in Romans is 2:12-13. The KJV says, "For as many as have sinned without laws shall also perish without law: and as manay as have sinned in the law shall be judge by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doiers of the law shall be justified."The Message paraphrases it to say this: "If you sin without knowing what you're doing, God takes that into account. But if you sin knowing full well what you're doing, that's a different story entirely. Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God."Again, I read the KJV first--because I do believe the KJV is actual God-breathed scripture in its best form. But then I read The Message version, and it hit home hard, and I was instantly convicted about doing things wrong that I knew better.This paraphrase of scripture is truly helpful to someone who longs to grow in faith and obedience. The wording is relevant, accurate, and hits home. It has truly helped me grow in obedience, which should be every sincere Christian's continual desire.

This review is not on the content but only of the Audible format. Navigating to a particular Bible book and chapter is not easy on Audible since the index will just show an uninformative chapter number which does not include the name of the book or its particular chapter. For example, "Chapter 2" covers Matthew chapter 13 through 25. How would you possibly find Matthew chapter 19? Here is a workaround. Get the Kindle format and also the Audible format which has Whispersync. Look up the passage you wish to listen to on Kindle and press play. Unfortunately, Whispersync is only available for the New Testament edition of The Message.The Message - Old Testament on Audible is only available on the "The Daily Message" which navigating to a particular book or chapter is virtually impossible since it mixes a daily OT passage with a NT passage and then combines several of those into each "chapter" heading. Odd marketing decision not to offer an OT Kindle format with Whispersync (like the NT edition) since the recordings are already available.Also, I hesitated to purchase this since the "Sample" recording sounds like it was recorded holding a cheap microphone to an old telephone handset; it sounds really bad. Fortunately, the audio sounds fine on the downloaded file. The only exception is the female narrator announcing the individual book titles with introduction is rather distorted and poorly mixed. Not pleasant to listen too.

My Pastor recommended this for a easy way to understand the BibleIt’s very comfortable reading . I enjoy it. If you want to read the Bible ... and find it difficult, Try this book.

I really like this book , very helpful for me when reading scripture to understand what I am reading.

If you don't like the Olde English speak of thee and thou in the average bible, this New Testament bible is for you. It speaks in language that people use today and in terms that are easily understood. One drawback I have encountered is that the scriptures are not numbered. There is a number at the top of the page; for example (John 4:26-44) but no line reference throughout the page.This would make an excellent entrance-level bible, however, I like it for everyday use. I have ordered four for relatives and friends.

Saying the same thing in different ways. allows one to look at the sentence in s completely different perspective. The Message takes normal terminology and causes us to consider the bible further in the subject matter. Many a time I have had to go back and consider these new perspective/ Well worth being part of your library, for the price of a coffee.

Purchased this to listen to on my commute I like the simple language and the orator has a very pleasant voice

I had this book before but lost in it transit when moving, so I just had to purchase a new one. It is such an easy read, very understandable for those like me that are literary challenged with the King James Versions and the like. This is in MY language and I recommend this to anyone. The scripture references are on the top of the page so there's no numbers before the passages within the text. You'll need a comparison bible if you need to find specific parts of scriptureI just wished there was one of these for the Old Testament though.

So far as the book itself is concerned, it is brand new, cost only £1-50 and was delivered about three days after ordering. You can't ask for much better than that. But it's the content of any book that is important. This is a rewrite of the "boreing, can't understand it" Bible in the English language of today, well American English anyway. Read it like a book and understand it first time through. At last the Bible has got into the 21st century. It makes all the difference. It's time it was used by every Church.

I was looking forward to reading this version of the bible and it didn't disappoint. A great interpretation in plain English that is easy to read, comprehend and understand. Very impressed. Ordering the Old Testament version soon...and looking forward to another wonderful readingexperience of such an important BookIf you have ever read or skimmed through the Bible and been unable to really grasp the "Message" of what was being conveyed this will definitely help you

Read this version of the bible and understand it in the way that it would have been understood at the time.This is not another wooden, two-dimensional "translation", but an accurate updating of the Bible as it was originally meant to be read. Hear the "street language" of spoken Greek transposed by a brilliant scholar into vivid, modern, and often amusing idiom.Enjoy!

Makes you think twice about the Bible and its contents. Colourful language to today.