This Bible is a paraphrase Bible. I use a different translation, but find the Message good for another resource. This would be excellent for anyone who has a hard time understanding and applying the Bible to today.

I bought TheMessage after hearing a friend read a familiar passage but given more insight thru its use of contemporary language.Don’t be fooled by the LARGE Print; seems pretty normal to me! I had checked before buying and think it is 10.Paperback. Means the cover is pliable! Very. Already using it to compare with other translations and finding it useful.

A good modern version of the Bible

Although not strictly a translation of the Bible this is a faithful inspiring paraphrase in modern English which makes reading the Bible enjoyable and easy to understand. I'm sure the Holy Spirit inspired this wonderful interpretation of God's word. A must for every disciple and follower of Jesus.

Classic version of The Message bible

The Personal Size version of The Message Numbered Edition was their best-designed line of bibles, IMO. From genuine & bonded leather to several faux Leather-Look bindings these bibles were elegant and handsome in their presentation, comfortable in the hand, and the perfect size (8-1/4" x 5-1/2" x 1-1/4) for portable reading. Highlights in the selection of bindings included: limp black genuine leather with pewter stamping and silver gilt edges, smooth burgundy bonded leather with gold gilt, and the unique and wonderfully soft faux 'distressed leather'.

Easily understood, accurate modern English version of the Bible

I've had the Message in the regular print version for years, but thanks to the ravages of age, I can no longer read it. I love the wording in the Message, Despite the fact that my dad was a minister so that I learned to love the Bible in the KJV, I appreciate the clarity of the Message. The only thing I would change is the hard cover. I'm severely disabled with spinal deformities that have lead to neuropathy due to pressure on spinal nerves. That makes it difficult for me to handle heavy hardback books. Otherwise, I love it!

Excellent modern day translation of the Bible

Makes the Bible so much easier to read and understand. Excellent for Bible Study as you can compare scripture in The Message to the actual scripture in the Bible. Content is the same as the Bible, it just makes it easier to understand. I especially love the large print, makes it easier on my eyes. I would highly recommend everyone having a copy of this book. It surely is a book everyone should read!

Good translation, print big enough to be legible

The Message Bible is a translation of the Bible into modern English and a very good one. Some call it a paraphrase, but then so is every translation. There are still some things that read better in the King James translation such as the 23rd Psalm, but overall the compressibility of the Message is very good. This large print edition has print that is big enough to read comfortably. We had previously bought an edition that was not large print and returned it. It was either that or go buy a magnifying glass. I don't know why so many bible are printed in such small print. Maybe they are for people who like to wave them rather than read them.

I like this translation

The Message Bible is certainly a different translation than what I am used to reading. First of all a bit about the construction of the Bible itself. The slimline edition makes this a very portable Bible and the flexible leatherlike cover is nice to the touch and makes it easy to hold and read oh and it's so flexible that it allows me to bend back the cover the same way I would do a paperback book. The single column style made me feel like I was reading a book instead of a Bible. There are no study notes or even foot notes that I could find but the translation is so easy to understand that I honestly didn't miss the study notes because the translation allowed me to understand what I was reading without using further reference.The pages of this Bible are thin so I ... MoreThe Message Bible is certainly a different translation than what I am used to reading. First of all a bit about the construction of the Bible itself. The slimline edition makes this a very portable Bible and the flexible leatherlike cover is nice to the touch and makes it easy to hold and read oh and it's so flexible that it allows me to bend back the cover the same way I would do a paperback book. The single column style made me feel like I was reading a book instead of a Bible. There are no study notes or even foot notes that I could find but the translation is so easy to understand that I honestly didn't miss the study notes because the translation allowed me to understand what I was reading without using further reference.The pages of this Bible are thin so I would be leery of doing a lot of marking for fear of bleed through. I think the Message translation really brings Gods word alive making for ease of understanding. With that said I wouldn't use this Bible to replace my NKJV but instead I use it to enhance my reading experience. Anyone looking for an easy to understand version of the Bible should give this one a try. The only thing that I would have liked to have seen with this Bible is a presentation page because that's something I look for whenever I give a Bible as a gift.

Small print

If youre looking for large print this isnt large print. I have library books with larger print and my previous Bible with letters much larger. I will have to use a magnifying glass to read this Bible

Without Hesitation...

This translation rejuvinated my desire to just "read the Bible" rather than read because I need to prepare a study or sermon. And this format, slightly padded hard cover, is the better format of the ones I've tried for this particular translation. In fact, it's the only one I recommend to other readers for this translation. I use this book every day to "read the Bible rather than study from it." Even though I have an advanced degree in Biblicalstudies, this translation provides a fresh and exciting perspective--it's a joy to read! Thanks for this opportunity to share.