PRAISE GOD FOR "THE MESSAGE" AND FOR PETERSEN. He's working on a Chinese version.
THE MESSAGE has deepened my walk with God considerably. God the Father has become much more Biblically vivid and alive as HE IS in the original languages, on reading THE MESSAGE.
I love many of the ORIGNIAL LANGUAGE headings used in THE MESSAGE such as:
GOD OF THE ANGEL ARMIES.
Wonderful translation. VERY BIBLICALLY HEAVENLY/EARTHY somehow. Very anointed. Very full of Holy Spirit's imprint.
Of course, that tends to engender rock throwing from certain types.
I love the Message too. I gave a copy in English to my Chinese friend when she was looking for English reading material. If she decides to read the Bible, I wanted her to find one easy to understand. I prefer the NASB myself, but I really love The Message.