« | Matthew 18 | » |
1 At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?"
2 For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room,
3 and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in.
4 Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom.
5 What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me.
6 "But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you'll soon wish you hadn't. You'd be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck.
7 Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don't have to make it worse--and it's doomsday to you if you do.
8 "If your hand or your foot gets in the way of God, chop it off and throw it away. You're better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owners of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire.
9 And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away. You're better off one-eyed and alive than exercising your twenty-twenty vision from inside the fire of hell.
10 "Watch that you don't treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don't you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?
11 (OMITTED TEXT)
12 "Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one?
13 And if he finds it, doesn't he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put?
14 Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn't want to lose even one of these simple believers.
15 "If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him--work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend.
16 If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again.
17 If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love.
18 "Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this.
19 When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action.
20 And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."
21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?"
22 Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.
23 "The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants.
24 As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars.
25 He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
26 "The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.'
27 Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
28 "The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!'
29 "The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.'
30 But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid.
31 When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
32 "The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy.
33 Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?'
34 The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt.
35 And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."
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.