Rating: 
Summary: Easy to read, but hard to understand
Review: Sure, the language is contemporary and nuanced. Yes, Peterson writes in a style fairly close to typical American speech patterns. But over and over as I read through The Message, I kept thinking how difficult it was to understand points that should be obvious. Read Romans 4, and compare the traditional "Abraham believed, and it was credited to him as righteousness" with the unclear string of phrases Peterson used that obfuscate the basic idea. Why all the verbiage? I'm voting for the NRSV.
Rating: 
Summary: Not pious but lifechanging
Review: The best Bible translation is the one YOU will read. The Message is readable, accurate and life changing. Sometimes we "snoot" at a freer translation and want a more "accurate" version. The Message is certainly not "snooty", it is certainly accurate and makes God's message understandable. I think even die hard KJVers would find much in this translation, even if they have to read it at night, with a flashlight under a blanket. I have emersed myself in the scriptures for most of my adult life. NO translation has spoken to me and urged me on to follow the Lord as has this one. Praise God that He gave such a gift of translation for this time.
Rating:
Summary: Eveyone should read this!
Review: I so badly wanted to learn about the Lord but had a hard time reading the King James Version and the NIV. A friend gave me this bible on loan to see how I liked it, and I tell you I found it so easy to understand, now I have a very hard time putting it down. I can finally learn about God the way I need to.Thank - you Eugene!
Rating:
Summary: God's Word, and I am awed! (this from a skeptic!)
Review: I was skeptical when I was given a copy of this book to read, that I would be terribly disappointed in the way the Word of God was re-translated into "today's language." The result of reading this book was just the opposite, I have not yet been able to put this book down! It takes some getting used to: Only the chapters are titled and highlighted with numerals, the individual verses are not numbered. Also the language is indeed different than a traditional Bible, no Thee's and Thou's, but it was much easier to understand and apply to my life. Overall, I am *very* pleased with this book. I will be purchasing copies for aquaintences, friends and family.
Rating:
Summary: Fresh, insightful, invigorating
Review: The Message is energizing in its "in your face" presentation of Scripture. The language is so straight-forward that it sometimes makes me laugh and appreciate anew the timelessness of God's Word. He is eternally current!
Rating: 
Summary: A great companion to read along with your Bible...
Review: I have found that having The Message along side my Bible helps me to really understand what the Bible is saying. Peterson's translation into contemporary English helps one fully understand the intended meaning of any passage in the Bible.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best paraphrase Bible there is!
Review: Eugene Peterson has really accomplished something in The Message. This is not only true to the language, but also puts it in terms people today can relate to. The Message is more than just a Bible. It brings it to life in a way you'll never forget.
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Summary: Cool way to tell God's truth- IN TODAY'S TALK!
Review: I got "The Message" from the Billy Graham Evangelical Association in 1995. I'm using it to further clarify my preaching points in Homilletics, at the Liberty Bible Institute, in Lynchburg, VA. I heartily reccomend this for exactly that- FURTHER CLARIFICATION!
Rating:
Summary: Questions about the translation
Review: I have enjoyed he Message and would recommend it to anyone. I have questions about the accuracy of translation. I gather that this is a paraphrase much like the Living Bible. This was not explained in my copy, and I would like to know if this "street language" was taken from original manuscripts by a knowledgable translator of hebrew and greek.
Rating:
Summary: FINALLY! LANGUAGE I CAN RELATE TO IN THE BIBLE!
Review: ROMANS AND JAMES ARE EXCEPTIONALLY EXCITING IN THE WAY THEY FINALLY TALK TO US PERSONALLY IN TODAY'S LANGUAGE! THE BEST READING I HAVE HAD IN YEARS!
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