« | Genesis 9 | » |
1 God blessed Noah and his sons: He said, "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill the Earth!
2 Every living creature--birds, animals, fish--will fall under your spell and be afraid of you. You're responsible for them.
3 All living creatures are yours for food; just as I gave you the plants, now I give you everything else.
4 Except for meat with its lifeblood still in it--don't eat that.
5 "But your own lifeblood I will avenge; I will avenge it against both animals and other humans.
6 Whoever sheds human blood, by humans let his blood be shed, Because God made humans in his image reflecting God's very nature.
7 You're here to bear fruit, reproduce, lavish life on the Earth, live bountifully!"
8 Then God spoke to Noah and his sons:
9 "I'm setting up my covenant with you including your children who will come after you,
10 along with everything alive around you--birds, farm animals, wild animals--that came out of the ship with you.
11 I'm setting up my covenant with you that never again will everything living be destroyed by floodwaters; no, never again will a flood destroy the Earth."
12 God continued, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and everything living around you and everyone living after you.
13 I'm putting my rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between me and the Earth.
14 From now on, when I form a cloud over the Earth and the rainbow appears in the cloud,
15 I'll remember my covenant between me and you and everything living, that never again will floodwaters destroy all life.
16 When the rainbow appears in the cloud, I'll see it and remember the eternal covenant between God and everything living, every last living creature on Earth."
17 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I've set up between me and everything living on the Earth."
18 The sons of Noah who came out of the ship were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan.
19 These are the three sons of Noah; from these three the whole Earth was populated.
20 Noah, a farmer, was the first to plant a vineyard.
21 He drank from its wine, got drunk and passed out, naked in his tent.
22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and told his two brothers who were outside the tent.
23 Shem and Japheth took a cloak, held it between them from their shoulders, walked backwards and covered their father's nakedness, keeping their faces turned away so they did not see their father's exposed body.
24 When Noah woke up with his hangover, he learned what his youngest son had done.
25 He said, Cursed be Canaan! A slave of slaves, a slave to his brothers!
26 Blessed be GOD, the God of Shem, but Canaan shall be his slave.
27 God prosper Japheth, living spaciously in the tents of Shem. But Canaan shall be his slave.
28 Noah lived another 350 years following the flood.
29 He lived a total of 950 years. And he died.
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.