To Korean readers
To the readers of 『Message』
Preface to "Message"
Old Testament Reviewer's Note
A note from the New Testament editor

Old Testament

Pentateuch
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy

history books
Joshua
Book of Judges
ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther

In the city
job
Psalter
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
baby

prophet
Isaiah
Jeremiah
lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggae
Zechariah
Malachi

New Testament

Gospel of Matthew
Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Luke
Gospel of John
Acts of the Apostles
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
hebrews
Epistle of James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation

Five Acts of the Bible Story
Bible drama
Key Bible Maps

After a 10-year journey, the complete translation of "The Message" is now published.

The complete Korean translation of The Message, which translates the original text of the Bible into everyday language, has been published.
Since the publication of the New Testament in 1993 and the complete translation in 2002 in English-speaking countries, "The Message" has been read by 10 million readers.
The Korean edition of 『The Message』 was published in 2009, starting with the New Testament, followed by the Pentateuch, historical books, prophetic books, and poetic books, and finally, all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments were published in one volume.
Considered from the very beginning, the complete translation of "The Message" is the culmination of nearly ten years of readers' consistent interest, affection, and patience.
“I have been reading The Message for many years.
"How easy and engaging it is! I highly recommend The Message as a compelling alternative for our times, one that engages with the Bible and allows you to delve deeper into it." (Lee Dong-won, Senior Pastor of Global Village Church)

The Message, which has established itself as a "readable Bible" along with the New International Version of the Bible.

"The Message" is a "Bible next to the Bible" for Christians living in this era, and is positioned as a "Bible to read" along with the public translation of the Bible for Korean Christians thirsting for the Word.
While introducing 『The Message』, some churches suggested producing 『The Message』 side gospels for ‘all church members to read the entire book of Romans’ (Jeong Ju-chae, retired pastor of Hyanghyang Church), while others actively recommended 『The Message』 and carried out a ‘New Testament reading campaign.’
“Our church intends to use two translations when reading the Bible: the Revised Standard Version and The Message.
In particular, we hope you will actively utilize 『Message』.
Those who have already read the Bible many times will be able to realize new meanings in the Bible, and those who are reading the Bible for the first time will be able to easily grasp the meaning of the Bible” (Jeong Hyeon-gu, senior pastor of Seoul Yeongdong Church).
In addition, many churches and organizations recommend The Message or use it as a Bible reading, and use it as a reference text for sermons and Bible studies.


The Significance of the Publication of the Complete Translation of "The Message"

First, the publication of the Korean version of the 『Message』 series has confirmed readers' interest and expectations for various Bible translations.
The fact that 500,000 readers chose 『Message』 proves this.
“The Message Bible’s exceptional readability is so remarkable that I sometimes find myself stopping to read, wondering if it’s okay for the Bible, the Word of God, to be read so quickly and understood so easily.
“This new version of the Bible, written in everyday language and contemporary sentences, reminds us of how intimate and close God’s word is” (Lee Seung-woo, novelist, professor of creative writing at Chosun University).
Next, it became an opportunity to directly introduce the new approach contained in 『The Message』 to Korean Christians.
“The Message does not simply encourage reading and understanding of events, but encourages reading, meditating, praying, and living out the Word in everyday life, as the tradition of lectio divina, or ‘sacred reading,’ has done” (Kang Young-an, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Sogang University).
Finally, 『The Message』 makes us look forward to translating the original text of the Bible, while preserving Korean culture, sentiment, and the unique flavor of the Korean language.
“I think the Korean edition of ‘The Message’ will play a role similar to that of John the Baptist, preparing the way for the publication of ‘The Message’ in Korea” (Jongtae Lee, translator of the Korean edition of ‘The Message’).


The Message is a readable Bible written in everyday language.

The Message began with a pastor's passion to get his congregation reading the Bible.
“How refreshing it would be if church members could read the Bible in its original text…” I thought to myself, and began translating the book of Galatians into the everyday language used by church members so that they could get closer to the Bible.
Those who read the translation, which took a year to complete, found that the Bible was a book that could be read, understood, and read without any help.
Because the Bible was written in the language we use on the streets, in the marketplace, and at the dinner table, the everyday language we use with our families, friends, and colleagues.


The Message is a Bible that faithfully translates the original text of the Bible.

"The Message" is the culmination of a lifetime of experience by Eugene Peterson, a scholar who has spent his entire life reading, studying, and teaching the Bible in its original language, and who has also served as a pastor for 35 years.
Rather than a direct translation, of which there are already many good translations, he paraphrased the original text in contemporary language to convey its meaning more vividly and impressively.
I spent 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, on this translation project for 10 years.
In this way, The Message is a personal translation based on one person's theological, pastoral, and historical background, but it has been academically verified through the review of trusted Old and New Testament scholars in North America.

The Message is a Bible that follows the tradition of Bible translation.

William Tyndale, one of the greatest Bible translators of the 16th century, said he would translate the Bible so that “a boy who plows the field may read it.”
Following the tradition of translation that requires everyone to read it in the language of the time, the Bible has been constantly retranslated to suit new times and readers.
It was because of this precious tradition that everyone could access the gospel message through the Bible, which everyone could read.
The Message also follows the long history and tradition of Bible translation.

The Message is the Bible chosen by 10 million readers.

Since the publication of the New Testament in 1993 and the complete translation in 2002, 10 million readers in the English-speaking world alone have chosen to read The Message.
As a "Bible beside the Bible," not only supporting and superbly complementing the existing Bible, but also bringing the meaning of the text to life, The Message is the most widely read and cited of all the Semantic Bibles.


The Message is the Bible for you.

Whether you are a first-time Bible reader or someone who has been reading for so long that it feels so familiar that it feels unfamiliar, someone who wants to study the Bible or someone who wants to meditate deeply on the Word alone, a preacher or Sunday school teacher who teaches the Bible, a seeker or non-believer who feels the need to read the Bible… The Message is the Bible for you.

Original editor of 『Message』

Old Testament

Robert L.
Hubbard Jr., Professor of Old Testament, North Park Theological Seminary
Richard E.
Eberbeck, Professor of Old Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Peter E.
Enz, Professor of Old Testament Studies at Eastern University
Duane A.
Garrett, Professor of Old Testament, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Prescott H.
Williams Jr., former professor of Old Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Brian E.
Bayer, Professor of Humanities, Columbia International University
Raymer E.
Cooper, Professor of Old Testament at Criswell College
Donald R.
Glenn, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Dallas Theological Seminary
Paul R.
House, Professor of Old Testament, Beeson Theological Seminary
V.
Phillips Long, Professor of Old Testament, Regent College
Tremper Longman III, Professor of Old Testament, Westmont College
John N.
Oswalt, Professor of Old Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary
Richard L.
Pratt Jr., Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary
John H.
Walton, Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College
Marvin R.
Wilson, Professor of Old Testament at Gordon College

New Testament

William W.
Klein, Professor of New Testament, Denver Theological Seminary
Darrell L.
Bock, Professor of New Testament, Dallas Theological Seminary
Donald A.
Hagner, Professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary
Moises Silva, former Professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Rodney A.
Whitaker, Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Trinity Episcopal Divinity School

English proofreading

Lee Jong-tae, Ph.
D. (GTU, USA), translator (The Message, Mere Christianity, David: Spirituality Rooted in Reality, etc.)
Hong Jong-rak, professional translator (The Message, All That Bible, God in the Dock, The Weight of Glory, etc.)

Theological review

Kim Gu-won, Professor of Old Testament Studies at Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary
Kim Geun-ju, Senior Research Fellow at the Nehemiah Institute for Christian Studies
Kim Seong-su, Professor of Old Testament Studies at Korea Theological Seminary
Ryu Ho-jun, Professor of Old Testament Studies at Baekseok University
Bae Jeong-hun, Professor of Old Testament at Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary
Wang Dae-il, Professor of Old Testament at Methodist Theological University
Jeon Seong-min, Professor of Worldview and Old Testament Studies at Vancouver Christian Worldview Graduate School
Cha Jun-hee, Professor of Old Testament Studies at Hansei University
Kwon Yeon-kyung, Professor of New Testament Studies at Soongsil University
Kim Cheol-hong, Professor of New Testament at Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary
Sim Sang-beop, Professor of New Testament Studies at Chongshin University
Yoon Cheol-won, Professor of New Testament Studies at Seoul Theological University
Heo Ju, Professor of New Testament Studies at Asia United Theological University