The Message New Testament: The New Testament in Contemporary Language

by Eugene H. Peterson (Translator)

Overview

Born a King. Bearing a Kingdom.
When Jesus is born in a small town outside a minor provincial capital, few suspect the destiny awaiting him. But tremors felt among shepherds, kings, and angels foreshadow a seismic shift that will one day ripple across the globe.

Thirty years later, he emerges a dynamic preacher claiming to be the Son of God. In town after town, many attack his audacious claim and conspire to kill him. And when he falls under the harsh glare of one of history’s greatest empires, death will stand between him and his destiny.

In the aftermath, a small group bands together—loyalists following his example and spreading his teaching. As they do, his flesh-and-blood life begins to transform them into a Kingdom that will have no end.

“The story of Jesus and the movement he started is one that we all think we know. The Message brings us back to this story in all its wonderful strangeness.”
—Ian Cron, coauthor of The Road Back to You

"Peterson shines in his breathtaking translation of the cadence and eloquence of Biblical poetry in particular, bringing it alive with vitality, wisdom, and hope."
—Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author

“A fabulous resource for teaching busy young people in contemporary terms and bringing scripture into a modern age.”
—Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

“It returns us to the humble language of ordinary people. It invites us to stumble not over language but over Jesus, that he might become the capstone of our lives.”
—Amy Julia Becker, author of A Good and Perfect Gift and White Picket Fences

“Both poetic and prophetic, penetrating the spirit in a powerful way.”
—Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781576834305
Publisher:	Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date:	03/01/2017
Series:	Experiencing God
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	544
Sales rank:	1,033,660
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

EUGENE H. PETERSON is a writer, poet, and retired pastor. He has authored more than thirty-four books (not including The Message). He is Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. Eugene also founded Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland, where he ministered for twenty-nine years. After teaching at a seminary, he created The Message, a vibrant Bible paraphrase that connects with today's readers like no other.

It took Peterson ten years to complete. He worked not from any English text but from the original Hebrew and Greek texts to guarantee authenticity. At the same time, his ear was always tuned to the cadence and energy of the English spoken every day on the streets. He lives with his wife, Jan, in Montana.

Read an Excerpt

The Message New Testament-MS

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By Eugene H. Peterson

Navpress Publishing Group

Copyright © 2003 Eugene H. Peterson
All right reserved.
ISBN: 1576834301

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Chapter One

Psalms

1

How well God must like you- you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.

Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.

You're not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust- Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people.

God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row.

2

Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples? Earth-leaders push for position, Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks, The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers: "Let's get free of God!

Cast loose from Messiah!" Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing. At first he's amused at their presumption; Then he gets good and angry. Furiously, he shuts them up: "Don't you know there's a King in Zion? A coronation banquet Is spread for him on the holy summit."

Let me tell you what God said next. He said, "You're my son, And today is your birthday. What do you want? Name it: Nations as a present? continents as a prize? You can command them all to dance for you, Or throw them out with tomorrow's trash."

So, rebel-kings, use your heads; Upstart-judges, learn your lesson: Worship God in adoring embrace, Celebrate in trembling awe. Kiss Messiah! Your very lives are in danger, you know; His anger is about to explode, But if you make a run for God-you won't regret it!

3

A David psalm, when he escaped for his life from Absalom, his son.

God! Look! Enemies past counting! Enemies sprouting like mushrooms, Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery: "Hah! No help for him from God!"

But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high; With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain.

I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I'm up again-rested, tall and steady, Fearless before the enemy mobs Coming at me from all sides.

Up, God! My God, help me! Slap their faces, First this cheek, then the other, Your fist hard in their teeth!

Real help comes from God. Your blessing clothes your people!

4

A David psalm

When I call, give me answers. God, take my side! Once, in a tight place, you gave me room; Now I'm in trouble again: grace me! hear me!

You rabble-how long do I put up with your scorn? How long will you lust after lies? How long will you live crazed by illusion?

Look at this: look Who got picked by God! He listens the split second I call to him.

Complain if you must, but don't lash out. Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking. Build your case before God and wait for his verdict.

Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day

Than they get in all their shopping sprees. At day's end I'm ready for sound sleep, For you, God, have put my life back together.

5

A David psalm

Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help. Every morning you'll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend.

You don't socialize with Wicked, or invite Evil over as your houseguest. Hot-Air-Boaster collapses in front of you; you shake your head over Mischief-Maker. God destroys Lie-Speaker; Blood-Thirsty and Truth-Bender disgust you.

And here I am, your invited guest- it's incredible! I enter your house; here I am, prostrate in your inner sanctum, Waiting for directions to get me safely through enemy lines.

Every word they speak is a land mine; their lungs breathe out poison gas. Their throats are gaping graves, their tongues slick as mud slides. Pile on the guilt, God! Let their so-called wisdom wreck them. Kick them out! They've had their chance.

But you'll welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration. You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers, for decking us out in delight.

Continues...

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Excerpted from The Message New Testament-MS by Eugene H. Peterson Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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