« | Genesis 2 | » |
1 Heaven and Earth were finished, down to the last detail.
2 By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work.
3 God blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day Because on that day he rested from his work, all the creating God had done.
4 This is the story of how it all started, of Heaven and Earth when they were created.
5 At the time GOD made Earth and Heaven, before any grasses or shrubs had sprouted from the ground--GOD hadn't yet sent rain on Earth, nor was there anyone around to work the ground
6 (the whole Earth was watered by underground springs)--
7 GOD formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive--a living soul!
8 Then GOD planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the Man he had just made in it.
9 GOD made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, trees beautiful to look at and good to eat. The Tree-of-Life was in the middle of the garden, also the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil.
10 A river flows out of Eden to water the garden and from there divides into four rivers.
11 The first is named Pishon; it flows through Havilah where there is gold.
12 The gold of this land is good. The land is also known for a sweet-scented resin and the onyx stone.
13 The second river is named Gihon; it flows through the land of Cush.
14 The third river is named Hiddekel and flows east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 GOD took the Man and set him down in the Garden of Eden to work the ground and keep it in order.
16 GOD commanded the Man, "You can eat from any tree in the garden,
17 except from the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. Don't eat from it. The moment you eat from that tree, you're dead."
18 GOD said, "It's not good for the Man to be alone; I'll make him a helper, a companion."
19 So GOD formed from the dirt of the ground all the animals of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the Man to see what he would name them. Whatever the Man called each living creature, that was its name.
20 The Man named the cattle, named the birds of the air, named the wild animals; but he didn't find a suitable companion.
21 GOD put the Man into a deep sleep. As he slept he removed one of his ribs and replaced it with flesh.
22 GOD then used the rib that he had taken from the Man to make Woman and presented her to the Man.
23 The Man said, "Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man."
24 Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh.
25 The two of them, the Man and his Wife, were naked, but they felt no shame.
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.