The NLT and the MSG are both modern English Bibles that read far more easily than older translations, but they arrive at that readability by different routes. The New Living Translation is a thought-for-thought translation that aims to be both accurate and clear, while The Message is a freely written paraphrase that aims to make the text feel fresh and conversational. If you want a Bible you can study closely and quote with confidence, the NLT is usually the steadier choice. If you want a vivid, personal read that sounds like someone talking to you across a kitchen table, the MSG may speak to you more directly.
Background
The New Living Translation grew out of a revision of The Living Bible, a paraphrase produced in the 1960s and 1970s. A large team of scholars from many denominations later rebuilt the text from the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, and the result was published in 1996 by Tyndale House, a Christian publisher. It has been revised since then to update wording and improve consistency, and it is widely used in churches, schools and family reading.
The Message was written by Eugene Peterson, a pastor and author, and published in stages beginning in the 1990s before appearing as a complete Bible in 2002. Peterson worked alone rather than through a committee, and he described his aim as rendering the biblical text in the idiom of everyday speech. It is published by NavPress, and it has been embraced by many readers as a devotional companion rather than a primary study Bible.
Translation Method
The NLT works on a thought-for-thought basis. Translators first worked out what each passage meant in its original setting, then expressed that meaning in natural English, which means sentences are rebuilt when the literal grammar would sound stilted. This tends to keep the reader close to the original sense while avoiding awkward phrasing, and it is why many pastors use it for preaching and small group study.
The MSG is a paraphrase in the stricter sense. Peterson did not aim to render each Greek or Hebrew clause into a matching English one. He retold the passages in contemporary language, often adding images, comparisons and idioms that do not appear word for word in the source. That freedom makes the text vivid and sometimes surprising, and it also means you should check a difficult passage against a more literal version before building a doctrinal argument on its phrasing.
Reading Level and Style
Both translations are written at a level that most adult readers find comfortable, and both avoid the archaic sentence structures found in older versions. The NLT sounds like careful, polished contemporary prose, with a tone that is calm and measured. Its sentences are generally complete and its vocabulary is familiar, which makes it a practical choice for reading aloud in a family setting.
The MSG has a looser, more colloquial rhythm. Short sentences, informal phrasing and a conversational pace are the signature here, and many readers find that the familiar tone makes long passages feel less like a text to be decoded and more like a letter being read to them. Some people find that very refreshing, while others feel the voice sometimes pulls attention toward the translator rather than the text.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 23:1-3
1 The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
(WEB)
The NLT renders this passage in plain, orderly sentences that keep the shepherd image clear while explaining the psalmist’s meaning in full. The MSG takes the same images and speaks them in a more intimate, personal voice, leaning into the idea of being cared for and guided. Both keep the central confidence of the psalm, but the NLT stays nearer to the structure of the original lines, while the MSG reads more like a warm personal reflection on those lines.
Who Should Use It
Choose the NLT if you are studying a passage closely, teaching a class, or want a version that balances readability with fidelity to the original wording. Its limit is that it is still a translation of choices, so a few phrasings may differ from what you have memorized in another version. It works well as a main Bible for many readers.
Choose the MSG if you want a devotional read that feels personal and immediate, or if you are trying to see familiar passages in a fresh way. Its limit is that its paraphrastic freedom means it is best used alongside a more literal translation when you need to examine exact wording or make careful claims about what the text says.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NLT or the MSG more accurate?
Neither is ranked as more accurate in every respect, because they are built on different goals. The NLT is generally considered more faithful to the wording and structure of the original, while the MSG prioritizes conveying the feel of the text in contemporary language.
Can I use the MSG for Bible study?
You can, especially for reflection and devotional reading. For close study of word choice or doctrine, it is wise to compare key passages with a more literal or thought-for-thought translation.
Which is easier for a new Bible reader?
Both are approachable for new readers. Many people find the NLT easier to navigate as a primary Bible, while the MSG can feel friendlier and more conversational for those who are not used to older language.
