The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Biblia.com)

An Asaph Psalm

1–3 50 The God of gods—it’s God!—speaks out, shouts, “Earth!”

welcomes the sun in the east,

farewells the disappearing sun in the west.

From the dazzle of Zion,

God blazes into view.

Our God makes his entrance,

he’s not shy in his coming.

Starbursts of fireworks precede him.

4–5 He summons heaven and earth as a jury,

he’s taking his people to court:

“Round up my saints who swore

on the Bible their loyalty to me.”

6 The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court,

that here God is judge.

7–15 “Are you listening, dear people? I’m getting ready to speak;

Israel, I’m about ready to bring you to trial.

This is God, your God,

speaking to you.

I don’t find fault with your acts of worship,

the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.

But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,

or more and more goats from your herds?

Every creature in the forest is mine,

the wild animals on all the mountains.

I know every mountain bird by name;

the scampering field mice are my friends.

If I get hungry, do you think I’d tell you?

All creation and its bounty are mine.

Do you think I feast on venison?

or drink draughts of goats’ blood?

Spread for me a banquet of praise,

serve High God a feast of kept promises,

And call for help when you’re in trouble—

I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.”

16–21 Next, God calls up the wicked:

“What are you up to, quoting my laws,

talking like we are good friends?

You never answer the door when I call;

you treat my words like garbage.

If you find a thief, you make him your buddy;

adulterers are your friends of choice.

Your mouth drools filth;

lying is a serious art form with you.

You stab your own brother in the back,

rip off your little sister.

I kept a quiet patience while you did these things;

you thought I went along with your game.

I’m calling you on the carpet, now,

laying your wickedness out in plain sight.

22–23 “Time’s up for playing fast and

loose with me.

I’m ready to pass sentence,

and there’s no help in sight!

It’s the praising life that honors me.

As soon as you set your foot on the Way,

I’ll show you my salvation.”

	About The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language Many people assume that a book about a holy God should sound elevated, stately, and ceremonial. If this is how you’ve always viewed the Bible, you’re about to make a surprising discovery. The Message brings the life-changing power of the New Testament, the vibrant passion of the Psalms, and the rich, practical wisdom of Proverbs into easy-to-read modern language that echoes the rhythm and idioms of the original Greek and Hebrew. Written in the same kind of language you’d use to talk with friends, write a letter, or discuss politics, The Message preserves the authentic, earthy flavor and the expressive character of the Bible’s best-loved books. Whether you’ve been reading the Bible for years or are exploring it for the first time, The Message will startle and surprise you. And it will allow you to experience firsthand the same power and directness that motivated its original readers to change the course of history so many centuries ago.
Copyright	Copyright 2005 Eugene H. Peterson. THE MESSAGE text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic, or audio), up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses, without express written permission of the publisher, NavPress Publishing Group, providing the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible and do not account for 25 percent or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted. Notice of copyright must appear as follows on either the title page or the copyright page of the work in which THE MESSAGE is quoted: “Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.” When quotations from THE MESSAGE text are used in nonsaleable media, such as church bulletins, orders of service, posters, transparencies, or similar media, a complete copyright notice is not required, but “The Message” must appear at the end of each quotation. Permission requests for commercial and noncommercial use that exceed the above guidelines must be directed to and approved in writing by NavPress Publishing Group, Permissions, P.O. Box 35001, Colorado Springs, CO 80935.
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About The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language