« | Genesis 39 | » |
1 After Joseph had been taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelites, Potiphar an Egyptian, one of Pharaoh's officials and the manager of his household, bought him from them.
2 As it turned out, GOD was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master.
3 His master recognized that GOD was with him, saw that GOD was working for good in everything he did.
4 He became very fond of Joseph and made him his personal aide. He put him in charge of all his personal affairs, turning everything over to him.
5 From that moment on, GOD blessed the home of the Egyptian--all because of Joseph. The blessing of GOD spread over everything he owned, at home and in the fields,
6 and all Potiphar had to concern himself with was eating three meals a day. Joseph was a strikingly handsome man.
7 As time went on, his master's wife became infatuated with Joseph and one day said, "Sleep with me."
8 He wouldn't do it. He said to his master's wife, "Look, with me here, my master doesn't give a second thought to anything that goes on here--he's put me in charge of everything he owns.
9 He treats me as an equal. The only thing he hasn't turned over to me is you. You're his wife, after all! How could I violate his trust and sin against God?"
10 She pestered him day after day after day, but he stood his ground. He refused to go to bed with her.
11 On one of these days he came to the house to do his work and none of the household servants happened to be there.
12 She grabbed him by his cloak, saying, "Sleep with me!" He left his coat in her hand and ran out of the house.
13 When she realized that he had left his coat in her hand and run outside,
14 she called to her house servants: "Look--this Hebrew shows up and before you know it he's trying to seduce us. He tried to make love to me but I yelled as loud as I could.
15 With all my yelling and screaming, he left his coat beside me here and ran outside."
16 She kept his coat right there until his master came home.
17 She told him the same story. She said, "The Hebrew slave, the one you brought to us, came after me and tried to use me for his plaything.
18 When I yelled and screamed, he left his coat with me and ran outside."
19 When his master heard his wife's story, telling him, "These are the things your slave did to me," he was furious.
20 Joseph's master took him and threw him into the jail where the king's prisoners were locked up. But there in jail
21 GOD was still with Joseph: He reached out in kindness to him; he put him on good terms with the head jailer.
22 The head jailer put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners--he ended up managing the whole operation.
23 The head jailer gave Joseph free rein, never even checked on him, because GOD was with him; whatever he did GOD made sure it worked out for the best.
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.