« | Genesis 11 | » |
1 At one time, the whole Earth spoke the same language.
2 It so happened that as they moved out of the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled down.
3 They said to one another, "Come, let's make bricks and fire them well." They used brick for stone and tar for mortar.
4 Then they said, "Come, let's build ourselves a city and a tower that reaches Heaven. Let's make ourselves famous so we won't be scattered here and there across the Earth."
5 GOD came down to look over the city and the tower those people had built.
6 GOD took one look and said, "One people, one language; why, this is only a first step. No telling what they'll come up with next--they'll stop at nothing!
7 Come, we'll go down and garble their speech so they won't understand each other."
8 Then GOD scattered them from there all over the world. And they had to quit building the city.
9 That's how it came to be called Babel, because there GOD turned their language into "babble." From there GOD scattered them all over the world.
10 This is the story of Shem. When Shem was 100 years old, he had Arphaxad. It was two years after the flood.
11 After he had Arphaxad, he lived 600 more years and had other sons and daughters.
12 When Arphaxad was thirty-five years old, he had Shelah.
13 After Arphaxad had Shelah, he lived 403 more years and had other sons and daughters.
14 When Shelah was thirty years old, he had Eber.
15 After Shelah had Eber, he lived 403 more years and had other sons and daughters.
16 When Eber was thirty-four years old, he had Peleg.
17 After Eber had Peleg, he lived 403 more years and had other sons and daughters.
18 When Peleg was thirty years old, he had Reu.
19 After he had Reu, he lived 209 more years and had other sons and daughters.
20 When Reu was thirty-two years old, he had Serug.
21 After Reu had Serug, he lived 207 more years and had other sons and daughters.
22 When Serug was thirty years old, he had Nahor.
23 After Serug had Nahor, he lived 200 more years and had other sons and daughters.
24 When Nahor was twenty-nine years old, he had Terah.
25 After Nahor had Terah, he lived 119 more years and had other sons and daughters.
26 When Terah was seventy years old, he had Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
27 This is the story of Terah. Terah had Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran had Lot.
28 Haran died before his father, Terah, in the country of his family, Ur of the Chaldees.
29 Abram and Nahor each got married. Abram's wife was Sarai; Nahor's wife was Milcah, the daughter of his brother Haran. Haran had two daughters, Milcah and Iscah.
30 Sarai was barren; she had no children.
31 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (Haran's son), and Sarai his daughter-in-law (his son Abram's wife) and set out with them from Ur of the Chaldees for the land of Canaan. But when they got as far as Haran, they settled down there.
32 Terah lived 205 years. He died in Haran.
The Message (MSG)
The Message (MSG) is a contemporary, paraphrased translation of the Bible, crafted to bring the scriptures to life in modern, conversational English. Developed by pastor and scholar Eugene H. Peterson, The Message was published in segments starting in 1993, with the complete Bible released in 2002. Peterson’s aim was to make the Bible accessible and engaging for today’s readers, breaking down the barriers posed by traditional, formal language. His work sought to capture the original tone, rhythm, and intent of the biblical texts, presenting them in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences.
One of the defining characteristics of The Message is its use of dynamic equivalence, focusing on conveying the thoughts and meanings behind the original texts rather than adhering to a word-for-word translation. This approach allows for the use of idiomatic expressions and modern phrasing, making the scriptures feel more relatable and immediate. Peterson, who had a deep understanding of both the biblical languages and modern culture, aimed to bridge the gap between the ancient world of the Bible and the everyday experiences of today’s readers.
The Message has been praised for its readability and ability to convey the emotional and narrative elements of the Bible in a fresh, vivid manner. Its accessible language makes it particularly appealing to those who might find traditional translations difficult to understand or intimidating. Many readers appreciate The Message for its ability to make familiar passages feel new and impactful, often shedding light on the scriptures in ways that resonate on a personal level. It is frequently used in personal devotions, group studies, and church services where clarity and relatability are paramount.
Despite its popularity, The Message has faced criticism from some scholars and traditionalists who argue that its paraphrased nature can lead to oversimplification and loss of nuance. Critics contend that in striving for contemporary relevance, The Message sometimes departs too far from the original texts, potentially altering the intended meanings. However, supporters of The Message appreciate its ability to engage modern readers and spark interest in the Bible, seeing it as a valuable tool for evangelism and discipleship. Overall, The Message stands out as a bold and innovative translation that has made a significant impact on how many people experience and understand the Bible.