The Message Large Print (Leather-Look, Dusty Rose Floral): The Bible in Contemporary Language

Translation is both an art and a science. There are two ways to approach translation of the Bible. One can translate word-for-word in hopes of rendering the original into a new language. This might seem to be the best way to get an accurate translation. The problem is that one can translate the words and miss the meaning entirely. Clarence Jordan offered this example: “We had hot dogs for lunch and fried fish with hush puppies for supper.” A literal translation would lead the reader to believe we ate dogs.The other approach is to read the text in the original then express the meaning in the new language. This is called “paraphrasing.” “The Message“ is a paraphrase. It is done by a preeminent scholar who was also a pastor. He worked directly from the Greek text of the New Testament and the Hebrew (and Aramaic) of the Old Testament. Sometimes text of The Message seems to diverge wildly from the text of more conventional translations like NIV or NRSV. An example is Romans ch 3. I happen to have the education needed to read the Scriptures in the original tongues. Every time I’ve compared The Message to the original text it has proven to render the meaning accurately. More accurately, in fact, than NIV or NRSV. The drawback to a paraphrase is that the sentences do not correspond to the conventional verse structure. Detailed Bible study can be difficult.We are not supposed to criticize other reviews but I can’t help commented on one-star reviews that say the Message is not a good translation of the King James Version. Actually the critics are correct, since Peterson is translating from the original text and not paraphrasing someone else’s translation, such as KJV. If you want a paraphrase of KJV see the Living Bible.

First of all, I just love The Message. My Bible reading has been from RSV, NASB, NIV and NLT. I like them all for different reasons, but The Message is just so helpful. For instance, I have found Romans to be challenging to understand...Paul does seem to talk in circles sometimes. So I went to The Message, and it read so easily that I wondered how it was ever hard for me to "get" Romans. A friend has recorded herself reading from the Message and I especially like listening to that because it is just so conversational. Each book is introduced with a Narrative from Eugene Peterson, and I have often read parts of those narratives to my small groups as we study a book because they are so helpful.Now, for this particular Bible, the large print is just that, large and easy on the eyes. The text is layed out in normal book format, not two column like most Bibles, and the verses are numbered, although more in groups rather than individual verse numbers. Even so, it is quite simple to find a passage. The cover is soft and pliable, feels great in my hands, is attractive, and best of all, lays flat open. There is no gilding, which I prefer, and it comes with one ribbon marker. I would have preferred two or three, but that's a very minor issue. There are some maps and chronology things in the back that are useful. I'm very particular about my Bibles, and this one is a definite keeper.

Jesus is the reason for every season!

Love this Bible. It is a big version and the print is a nice large print and easy to ready. Very nice quality!

I love this Bible! It has been at least 20 years since I bought myself a new Bible." The Message" makes it so fresh, new, and relatable! Eugene Peterson did an amazing and accurate job!I sent my mother the link and she is going to buy the exact dusty rose version that I have. I am so happy with it! I wondered if the semi-transparent pages would annoy me, but I haven't even noticed it because the words on the page are so engaging!

This is definitely worth the money! I’ve always been someone who jumps from different versions of the Bible, back and forth, to get a better understanding of what the verses are saying and I finally decided to just buy the message version and I’ve never been more happier with a purchase! It’s a huge Bible but everything written in there is needed and it’s printed in large print #happyreading!!

Beautiful bible. A masterpiece of literature paraphrasing the bible. I read this whole bible cover to cover and listened to it on CD in it's entirety. I went through this bible twice word for word. I did this not out of some spiritual obligation, out of interest. After I read the first few lines of the copy my sister gave me. I was hooked on what was so formal before. To entertainment. Was this a sin to be entertained while worshipping? No, it is the word of God coming to life in everyday language of today.When the author rewrote this bible. Taking over ten years as I understand it. He wrote this version for the ordinary person like you and me. This is the most up to date modern version of the paraphrased bible one could get. Now you can too. This is a perfect size bible both in fonts and format. It's well worth the money.Now if you choose. You can read the bible not out of obligation. Out of wanting to understand the Father. In this paraphrased version of the bible of this blessed book. The Message.

Great content (that gets 5 stars). This copy of the book: print size is nice, although not "large" ... but easier to read than other Bibles. The paper is really thin, and has bleed through... but I have yet to find a Bible that does not. I wish someone would print a Bible with thicker paper... even if it meant a larger Bible.As far as people complaining that this Bible is "paraphrased"... EVERY Bible in English is paraphrased and interpreted. This is a great Bible if you actually want to know the meaning of the text. Of course the author made some decisions on how to translate words and meaning... just as EVERY other Bible translation has.

i have many versions of the bible Many including Message given away Treated myself at 94 to this glorious version As it arrived a few days ago i have only dipped in The words even when known to me jump out and startle me as if spoken aloud What an experience ahead for me and for you if you read this amazing translation jane

Excellent Bible. Very good quality. Very Well made. The print is larger and clearer than the regular version.

Large print and easy to read. Imitation leather which makes the bible long lasting. Very good being paraphrased which makes me wanting to read the Bible.Highly recommended to read this version of the bible and get spiritual enlightenment each reading.

Diese Bibel wurde des öfteren in engl. Predigten zitiert, das hat mich neugierig gemacht, mir diese Bibel zu kaufen. Sie ist eine Bereicherung für den, der mal ganz andere Begriffe und neue Elemente zum Verständnis bekommen möchte.

From several reviews complaining about pages being too thin and words being too small, my 60+ year old mother was thrilled when she got this and did not find either of these to jump out as issues. I was so happy and relieved. Perhaps if you are not too used to thumbing through Bibles the pages may seem thin - compared to say a regular novel in a bookstore - but it is pretty standard for a Bible in my opinion. Mom uses this as an easy everyday read and cross references when she wants with other more traditional versions. Although some subtle meanings are lost (eg referring to a fig tree as an apple tree instead) it is a delightful read and a refreshing take especially with drier scripture.