NIV/The Message Parallel Bible (New International Version) [Hardcover]

Zondervan (Author)

Book Description

Series: New International Version | Publication Date: August 31, 2004

The Message Designed to read like a letter from God, The Message presents Scripture the way it originally appeared, as a naturally flowing narrative. Using only the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts, The Message's creator, Eugene Peterson, began by setting the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs in contemporary English, free of distracting verse numbers and stiff, formal language. The result has been a warm, highly readable paraphrase that reveals the richly personal nature of God's Word. The Old Testament followed, and the complete Message Bible was released in 2002. Used in both public preaching and private devotions, The Message has captured the hearts of millions of readers, enriching their understanding of Scripture and deepening their faith. The New International Version (NIV) The New International Version (NIV) is today's most read, most trusted English Bible translation. Since its release in 1973, the NIV has sold over 160 million copies. The goal of the NIV translation team was to produce a contemporary translation whose accuracy, clarity and literary quality would make it ideal for public and private reading, teaching, preaching, memorizing and liturgical use. Today the NIV is accepted by more denominations than any other translation and is supported by a library of reference resources unmatched by any other translation. The most read, most trusted translation and bestselling paraphrase together in one volume * The NIV and The Message side by side * Instant comparison deepens your grasp of Scripture * Double-column format If your translation of choice is the New International Version (NIV) and if you appreciate The Message for the freshness and clarity it brings to your reading of the Bible then you'll love The Message/NIV Parallel Bible. Setting The Message and the NIV together for the first time ever, this Bible allows you to instantly compare Eugene Peterson's bestselling paraphrase and today's most read, most trusted modern translation. NIV/The Message Parallel Bible features: * The clarity, accuracy and trustworthiness of the NIV. A careful union of word-for-word and thought-for-thought translational approaches, the NIV is today's foremost modern translation, used by scholars, pastors, students and Bible readers across the world. * The story-like flow and penetrating insights of The Message. Emphasizing a narrative reading of the Bible, The Message is treasured by countless Christians for the way its contemporary language illuminates ageless truths. * Double-column format. * Ribbon marker (leather edition only).

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Message Designed to read like a letter from God, The Message presents Scripture the way it originally appeared, as a naturally flowing narrative. Using only the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts, The Message’s creator, Eugene Peterson, began by setting the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs in contemporary English, free of distracting verse numbers and stiff, formal language. The result has been a warm, highly readable paraphrase that reveals the richly personal nature of God’s Word. The Old Testament followed, and the complete Message Bible was released in 2002. Used in both public preaching and private devotions, The Message has captured the hearts of millions of readers, enriching their understanding of Scripture and deepening their faith.

The New International Version (NIV) The New International Version (NIV) is today’s most read, most trusted English Bible translation. Since its release in 1973, the NIV has sold over 160 million copies. The goal of the NIV translation team was to produce a contemporary translation whose accuracy, clarity and literary quality would make it ideal for public and private reading, teaching, preaching, memorizing and liturgical use. Today the NIV is accepted by more denominations than any other translation and is supported by a library of reference resources unmatched by any other translation.

The most read, most trusted translation and bestselling paraphrase together in one volume • The NIV and The Message side by side • Instant comparison deepens your grasp of Scripture • Double-column format

If your translation of choice is the New International Version (NIV)

and if you appreciate The Message for the freshness and clarity it brings to your reading of the Bible

then you’ll love The Message/NIV Parallel Bible.

Setting The Message and the NIV together for the first time ever, this Bible allows you to instantly compare Eugene Peterson’s bestselling paraphrase and today’s most read, most trusted modern translation.

NIV/The Message Parallel Bible features:

• The clarity, accuracy and trustworthiness of the NIV. A careful union of word-for-word and thought-for-thought translational approaches, the NIV is today’s foremost modern translation, used by scholars, pastors, students and Bible readers across the world. • The story-like flow and penetrating insights of The Message. Emphasizing a narrative reading of the Bible, The Message is treasured by countless Christians for the way its contemporary language illuminates ageless truths. • Double-column format. • Ribbon marker (leather edition only).

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 2176 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (August 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310928893
• ISBN-13: 978-0310928898
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Version to Have, September 8, 2005

By 

Susan (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: NIV/The Message Parallel Bible (New International Version) (Hardcover)

This parallel version of both Bibles is helpful. The NIV side has chapter and verse notation while The Message side does not. The Message version is very easy to read and understand. I like having them side by side because I can easily compare how one relates to the other. Reading The Message has helped me understand the meaning of some verses that have been tricky in the past.
However, it can be bit easy to get confused with which side you are reading when you turn the page and then you have to back track to get in the correct spot. The pages are very thin and it can be visually distracting to see backwards letters through the page.

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Must realize the Message's purpose, March 15, 2006

By 

B. Rihner (Denison, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NIV/The Message Parallel Bible (New International Version) (Hardcover)

For the bad reviewers here - the purpose of the Message is to get people reading the Bible who normally would not. It is not intended to be a stand alone Bible, or a Bible for intense study - although The Message is a great companion translation to study with. I find that it makes me think about a passage in more depth instead of assuming I already know what it means.
Also, for the reviewer who believes we should learn English better and use the KJV and RSV - who's English? That of King James in the 17th century or the English we actually speak today? If you want to seriously study the Bible you should learn Greek and Hebrew - the languages that the Bible was originally written in. That's what Eugene Peterson did, and anyone who takes issue with his translation should not simply compare The Message to other English translations, but compare the message with the Greek and Hebrew Bible.
The Message is getting people into the Bible more than before - and that is good.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good resource, as long as studied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, March 8, 2007

By 

D. Mills "dmills1555" (Anchorage, AK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NIV/The Message Parallel Bible (New International Version) (Hardcover)

T Bauer suggested doing a comparative reading of Psalm 63 in order to see the "danger" of the Message Bible. I took him up on the challenge and would encourage others to do the same. I read Psalm 63 in the KJV, ESV, NIV, and Message. Each of the "translations" was slightly different, but held true to the text. To be honest, the Message was the worst. It remained true to the text, although a couple of the interpretations were fairly loose. However, I need to point out that the Message is a "paraphrase," not a word-for-word or even thought for thought translation. Also, as others have pointed out, the Message Bible's weakness appears to be in its rendering of the Psalms, which are much more poetic.

We must remember that Jesus said that when he left, he would send the Comforter, who would guide us into ALL truth. No matter which Bible we use, it is the Spirit that brings the Word to life and uses it to perform spiritual surgery on our hearts. In fact, he rebuked the religious leaders who studied the scripture, thinking that in them they would find eternal life. The Bible, no matter what version you use, simply points you to the life giver. We must not become so smug as to think that having the "most accurate" translation (whichever one that might be), somehow increases our spiritual stature even one iota. I remember when I was so arrogant as to think that if it wasn't the KJV, then you weren't really reading the Bible--until I realized that the KJV was only a translation itself.

So, having said all of that, I have no problem with the Message Bible, because I have an unswerving trust in the promised Holy Spirit to teach me what I need to know. As someone said once, "the best version of the Bible is the one that you will read."

Lastly, I will say that this Bible is a parallel Bible. The text of the NIV and the Message are laid out side-by-side so that a reader can do an easy comparison. This method is a valuable aide to Bible study. I would defintely recommend this Bible both as your primary study Bible (since it contains an actual translation) or as a study aid to add to your library.