The Message

The New Testament in Contemporary Language

By: Eugene H. Peterson

Narrated by: Kelly Ryan Dolan, Carol Nix

Length: 19 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need to be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."

Those familiar with any part of the Bible will recognize John 3:16, with a mind-altering difference. The words are fresh, new, and sound like the 21st century. That's because they are from The Message, a presentation of the Word of God crafted for a modern age. Eugene Peterson, translator and editor, learned from his years of teaching and pastoring that most people, through familiarity or frustration with the Bible, were missing the whole message of Scripture: the Word that God uses to create and save us, heal and bless us, judge and rule over us. So he set out to give us that word in language we use every day, a reading Bible that would enable the Word to penetrate our hearts and minds, transforming us day by day into the person God desires us to be.

©2003 Eugene Peterson (P)2003 Oasis Audio LLC, Under Arrangement With NavPress, Publisher Of The Original Book Version

Critic reviews

"Acclaimed biblical language scholar Peterson has paraphrased the original Greek and Hebrew of these most popular books of the Bible into vibrant, easy-to-read modern English." (Ingram)

Well done

I have avoided Revelation due to not understanding it. This translation is great and the narrator is fantastic.

Delightfully Easy Listen

I truly enjoyed listening to this version of the New Testament. It was very easy to understand.

Not a phony acting sound or like Shakespeare

The Sample audio for this poorly represents. You have to get thru the intro and book of Matthew intro by a woman to finally get to the male narrator voice. I admittedly detest traditional formal readings of scripture that sound like Shakespeare or a performance. I also find background music and sound effects highly distracting -except for The Bible Experience which is a 400 cast, top professional audio delight by all African American narrators. I bought that too for when I am working around the house. The Message audio I bought for when I have quiet time like, going to sleep or waking in the middle of night. Not bc it's boring but bc it is so satisfying with the Message translation, no music and no sound effects. It's just a pure delight to feel the scriptures feel so relevant. I like the narrator's voice bc he sounds like a real person and gives different emphasis and inflection so it sounds a lot more natural. He's not Jonathan Roumie but I am very satisfied and it definitely is memorable. I also study the Bible-grew up on NIV and now read from The Voice translation. So, also having 2 unique audio options when I can't sit and ponder is such a wonderful gift. Thanks to all who work on such endeavors.I didn't purchase but there is also a teenage audio Bible with celebrity actors that has Sean Austin, (Sam of Lord of the Rings), as the Narrator and he also does a great job of sounding natural but interesting and not just a read through job. It is probably a decade old.
Like The Bible Experience, I don't see that chapters on Audible correlate with any Books and Book chapters of the Bible for The Message audio. If you look at Reviews of The Bible Experience, you will see lists of chapters and what Books and chapters correlate.
I am so grateful for The Message and that this audio version is a bonus. I don't care for the brief canned transition music when starting a new section or for the book intros done by the woman but those only last about a minute or so.
I like that I could speed up or slow the reading down to a pace I most like.
If you struggle to sit down and read the Bible, this is for you!!! Remember that the original hearers of Jesus "heard with their ears".

Bible mad

I LOVED the message it is so good and really easy to understand it basically decodes the bible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Bible that Makes You Laugh?

If you don't think of the Bible for "casual listening" or "pleasure listening", this version of "The Message" will challenge that opinion. "The Message" has to be among the best - if not the best - English version for listening. The prose is contemporary and engaging and Eugene Peterson does an exceptional job providing continuity of the text where other, more literal versions do not. He captures the spirit of the text well, unafraid to use emotional terms and colloquial phrases to express the points. I have found myself laughing and smirking on multiple occasions at his choice of words - well-capturing the emotional tone (funny, serious, sarcastic, etc.) of the original authors.

While I would never use "The Message" as my exclusive study Bible, it is exceptional for my lengthy daily commute and I find it easier to track with than the New International Version to which I have listened. And it makes the Bible very approachable to anyone who considers it intimidating or too complicated. Peterson makes it clear in the introduction that he's aiming at a thought/sense translation, not a literal one. He absolutely hits the mark.

Kelly Ryan Dolan's reading is exceptional and nearly right-on; I have found few phrases or sentences that I would have emphasized differently. (He is consistently good with his reading of John Eldredge's "Waking the Dead".)

I would recommend this version to those who have never considered the Bible approachable; this version will change your mind. I can also recommend it to those who have read the Scriptures for years as this version will give you a fresh perspective. And for those who are convinced there is only one "real" version? Please remember that God expressed them through men in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek - not English - and that same Holy Spirit works to interpret the Scriptures for people of all tongues today - even contemporary English! God bless all who seek the truth.

Not For Study, But For Illumination

Simply the best modern translation of the Bible in existence. Not for detailed study of the scripture, but the translation was written to be read like a novel, and it succeeds. Many scriptures I'd been confused over became clear with this translation. I'm eagerly awaiting the Old Testament.

The New Testament read with Passion

The intros are informative and not overwhelmingly long. The narrator has a lovely voice and reads with emotion. The translation is easy to understand.

100 x over!

I will listen to this over and over from Matthew to Revations. Hearing the Word while doing laundry, drifting to sleep, waking up, or driving.

I'm not quite worthy to give a review of the Bible

however, having said that, this translation is wonderful. it's a blessing. Don't miss it.

The Message was fantastic

Very well done. I listen to this often, great to listen to at night before bed.