The Message

An edition of the The Message offering the complete biblical text in a carefully formatted and accessible presentation for personal reading, study, and devotion.

History & Background

The Message was written by scholar and pastor Eugene Peterson over ten years and published by NavPress beginning in 1993, with the complete Bible released in 2002. Peterson translated directly from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek into contemporary American vernacular, capturing the urgency and beauty of Scripture in fresh, living language.

Canon Proximity Rating

Canon Proximity7.0 / 10 — High

Contains all 66 books; a paraphrase prioritizing the spirit and tone of Scripture over literal word-for-word rendering.

Rating Scale

9–10: Formally equivalent, 66 books

7–8: Dynamic equiv., 66 books

5–6: Includes Apocrypha

1–4: Major departures / additions