The Message

For my birthday, my lovely wife gave me The Message. It’s a translation of the Bible into today’s language. I absolutely love it. Here’s a comparison:

Psalm 23 (NIV)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 (The Message)

God, my shepherd!

  I don’t need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

  you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word,

  you let me catch my breath

  and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through

  Death Valley,

I’m not afraid

  when you walk at my side.

Your trusty shepherd’s crook

  makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner

  right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head;

  my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me

  every day of my life.

I’m back home in the house of God

  for the rest of my life.

I highly recommend The Message for anyone that has read the Bible and gave up because it was hard to read. I also like it because it takes the poetic passages and translates them poetically.