31 Days to Get The Message: Psalms and Proverbs

Written by Eugene Peterson

Narrated by Kelly Ryan Dolan

Read the Psalms & Proverbs again. . . for the very first time. Experience the most often-read books of the Bible in a fresh, eye-opening way. The books of Psalms and Proverbs are presented in a thirty-one day devotional format. Each daily devotional includes readings from both Psalms and Proverbs that are selected to inspire and instruct. The Psalms pull every scrap and dimension of human expeience into the presence of God, and the Proverbs sharpen our insights into every day life. Peterson's version will challenge you to see God's Word in a whole new light.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oasis Audio
• Release date: Oct 1, 2003
• ISBN: 9781608140695

Eugene Peterson

Eugene H. Peterson, translator of The Message Bible (17 million sold), authored more than 30 books, including the spiritual classics A Long Obedience in the Same Direction and Run with the Horses. He earned his BA in Philosophy from Seattle Pacific University, his STB from New York Theological Seminary, and his MA in Semitic Languages from John Hopkins University. He also held several honorary doctoral degrees. In 1962, Peterson was founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Bel Air, Maryland, where he and his wife, Jan, served for 29 years before retiring in 1991. Peterson held the title of professor emeritus of spiritual theology at Regent College, British Columbia, from 1998 until his death in 2018.

Reviews for 31 Days to Get The Message

[Esther Hoole · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very useful arrangement and clearly read. Some emotional outbursts may interrupt attention.

[starbox_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Exactly what I needed!!By sally tarbox on 9 March 2018Format: Kindle EditionI'm not a Greek or Hebrew scholar, but am going with my gut feeling that if you're studying theology this is NOT what you want, as it's quite a free, modern version of the Scriptures.HOWEVER I'm reading this as a tired, easily-stumbled Christian who looks at her normal Bibles, the formal English, the sometimes unclear phrasing, the formulaic passages that we intone without even thinking ("Our Father, who art in heaven...) At the end of the day, it's so easy to protest "I can't face reading that tonight" and leave Bible standing while I pick up a novel instead.I acquired this by total chance from charity shop I work at (liberated from box of 'unsaleable' works awaiting recycling!) And it's totally ALIVE, like reading any 21st century work.Thus the Lord's prayer moves from a tired, stilted drone to the (I think) more inspirational (if free translation) of:"Our Father in heavenReveal who you are.Set the world right,Do what's best-as above, so below.Keep us alive with three square meals,Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others,Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.You're in charge!You can do anything you want!You're ablaze in beauty!Yes. Yes. Yes."So to me a work for everyday reading; the 'proper' translations for deeper study. Have ordered the whole Bible in this version.

[dubiousdisciple · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this contemporary Bible! It’s not the most accurate translation—it’s really not fair to even call it a translation, but rather a paraphrase betraying Peterson’s religious convictions—but I just find it enjoyable to read. It’s poetic and beautiful. Do not use it as a study Bible, but as an inspiring read.I chose the book of John to highlight some of the translations, so you can get a feel for the wording. These aren’t my favorite passages, but they do highlight what I mean by a “paraphrasing.”KJV: John 1:12-13, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.Message: But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves. These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten.KJV: John 1:31, And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.Message: I knew nothing about who he was—only this: that my task has been to get Israel ready to recognize him as the God-Revealer. That is why I came here baptizing with water, giving you a good bath and scrubbing sins from your life so you can get a fresh start with God.KJV: John 3:29-30, He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.Message: The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom’s friend, his ‘best man’—that’s me—in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start? That’s why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.KJV: John 6:43-44, Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except he Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.Message: Jesus said, “Don’t bicker among yourselves over me. You’re not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me—that’s the only way you’ll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End.