NIV/The Message® Parallel Bible [Hardcover]

Zondervan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 26, 2006

If your translation of choice is the New International Version (NIV), and if you appreciate The Message for the freshness and insight it brings to your reading of the Bible, then you'll love the NIV/The Message Parallel Bible. Setting the NIV and the new Numbered Edition of The Message together for the first time ever, this Bible allows you to instantly compare today's most read, most trusted modern translation and Eugene Peterson's bestselling paraphrase verse by verse. 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. Now in the Numbered Edition, including all chapter and verse numbers, The Message is treasured by countless Christians for the way its contemporary language illuminates ageless truths. * Double-column format

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

If your translation of choice is the New International Version (NIV), and if you appreciate The Message for the freshness and insight it brings to your reading of the Bible, then you’ll love the NIV/The Message Parallel Bible. Setting the NIV and the new Numbered Edition of The Message together for the first time ever, this Bible allows you to instantly compare today’s most read, most trusted modern translation and Eugene Peterson’s bestselling paraphrase verse by verse.

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. Now in the Numbered Edition, including all chapter and verse numbers, The Message is treasured by countless Christians for the way its contemporary language illuminates ageless truths.
• Double-column format --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 2048 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310937132
• ISBN-13: 978-0310937135
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful Bible, December 2, 2007

By 

John (South Dakota, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: NIV/The Message® Parallel Bible (Hardcover)

I tend to use the NIV due to its good and accurate translation overall, and I like The Message paraphrase because it is written by a working pastor for the everyday person who does not talk like someone writing a dissertation or government regulation. Up to now, if I saw a passage in the NIV and wanted to see Eugene Peterson's translation of that passage in The Message, I had to look that up in The Message Bible which took a lot of time that made the task less than efficient. Not any more. With this Bible, you can look at either the NIV or The Message verse or passage, and then look in the other column to see how the other version reads. Often I look at the NIV column to get the faithful and accurate but not always simple translation, and then at The Message translation to see how the verse or passage might likely read in today's conversational wording.

And for everyday Bible reading where you are reading for enjoyment and enlightenment, it is hard to beat The Message for its contemporary and "street-wise" use of the English language, even if it is not a word-for-word translation of the ancient languages. It is almost as if you are reading the NIV for its accurate and faithful translation of the ancient texts, and are using The Message column to act as a kind of commentary or contemporary view of each passage.

Each Bible translation has its own merits and qualities, as well as drawbacks. Having both translations right there on the same page defintely makes understanding the concept or thought being expressed on each page much easier and more enjoyable than either translation alone. It truly is like two Bibles in one.

The layout of the pages and format is clean and crisp, the typefaces are easy to read (though typically sized for a work of this magnitude), and the parallel aspect of the verses is excellent. For me personally, this Bible is a winner, and will be among the first I consult when looking up a verse or just reading God's Word for enjoyment and inspiration. Folks who are fans of both the NIV and The Message versions will find this book essential and exciting, as well as a huge time and frustration saver!

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you'll never want to go back to a single translation bible again, March 23, 2007

By 

Vanessa - See all my reviews

This review is from: NIV/The Message® Parallel Bible (Hardcover)

I didn't think I really needed a parallel bible. I thought if I want to see what another translation says, I will just pick up my other bible. However, now that I have a parallel I love it! I quickly scan between the two translations when normally I would think it was too much effort to dig through my other bible. Now I have both translations at my fingertips. I would encourage you to get a parallel if you are thinking about it. you don't realize how useful it can be until you get one.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great buy, April 10, 2007

By 

Linda G. Brumfield - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NIV/The Message Parallel Bible (Bonded Leather)

I love the product...this version of the Bible is simple to follow and makes reading the Bible so much more enjoyable. I encourage every person that is "testing the waters" in searching for the Bible that is right for them to search no further... THIS is the Bible for you.