NIV, The Message, Parallel Study Bible, Personal Size, Imitation Leather, Pink: Updated Numbered Edition Imitation Leather – November 27, 2008

Since I started to hear text from The Message version of the Bible, I was excited to get a copy of my own. The Message is a great way to understand the Bible in more contemporary language and is what I've decided to read daily for the next year. I however didn't want to completely give up the NIV version that is most often used in my church (and a more accurate translation) or some of the study notes that I'm used to having with my NIV Life Application Bible that I've used for the last few years.When I started to look for something that would work for these three needs (The Message, NIV & Study Notes) there was nothing yet in the stores and as I searched Amazon, this book just was just set for release. I was thrilled and placed my order.Now that I have it, I'm still just as happy. The Bible is bound in a great three color leather cover that looks even better than the picture. The text is small, but is clear and works well.My only slight negative is that even though it contains study notes, it is shorter and probably fewer than in my Life Application Bible. The preface introduction notes that this book has about 10,000 notes (still a lot), but is about 50% of the Zondervan NIV Study Bible from which these are taken. I'm certain that the editors kept the most useful.I recommend this multi-purpose Bible to anyone.

I've heard rave reviews from a number of people about The Message translation and wanted to compare it to my NIV, so I got the parallel Bible. This is not a study Bible, but I already have several study Bibles so I didn't need another one. This book is quite heavy and is not really one I'd carry around with me to places, but it is good to read at at home and compare with what other translations say.Since I'm used to more poetic versions of the Bible, the Message is not one I would use to memorize verses with. But, the wording makes it easier to understand than versions like the King James or even NIV.The font size is fine and the pages are thick, compared to the rice paperlike thinness of my other Bibles. It's a very sturdy Bible.I also like the fact that the verse numbers correspond with the NIV, rather than have a huge paragraph of stuff and not know where exactly it corresponds to the NIV. The numbering is a HUGE plus and one of the reasons why I got this particular Bible. I am not disappointed.

First off let me say that I always worry some when purchasing an item online, when aesthetics is an important quality. I always find it hard to judge the quality of some materials from online pictures, but i was very pleased with the cover of this bible. The overall appearance of the book is nice, the binding is sturdy and the cover is thick enough that I don't have to worry too much about damaging, or bending it through regular use.I bought this Bible for teaching a high school Sunday school class. I have always liked the message, because it is easy for modern teens to understand, but also wanted a more traditional translation to go along with what most people generally read. The parallel bible gives you both options on a single page. The study materials in this book are of average quality, I have seen Bibles with much more material, but considering this book has two copies of the Bible in parallel, space is at a premium.A few things I don't prefer:Pages are very thin and fragile, and book is very thick and heavy. (I understand that both of these issues are due to the amount of content)Overall I have been very happy with this purchase.

I had, by mistake ordered the NIV/MESSAGE Large Print Bible,intending to order this one.The idea of notes and two versions altogether on the same page was tantalizing.I received the NIV/MESSAGE Large Print in several days and enjoyed it for several days while i reordered this Bible.When it arrived I saw immediately that The NIV/MESSAGE Study Bible is very nicely done but had two glaring (to me) problems. i am returning it for these two reasons: 1)The notes are VERY scarce if nearly non-existant on many, many pages,extremely abbreviated from the NIV Study Bible to the point that it is almost necessary to find another study Bible to use with it.2)The notes are the smallest font size i have ever seen.Micro!A magnifier would almost be mandatory except for those who are blessed with extremely good vision. I am sure that the only remedy for these problems would be to create a 3300+ pg.volumewhich would be prohibitive .Sadly,i will have to exchange this one for the NIV/MESSAGE Large Print and keep my trusty Zondervan Study Bible close by. If you would like a nice Bible,good quality paper and very limited notes then this one is for you,otherwise you might want to have a commentary close by and order the regular NIV/MESSAGE in a 'non-study' format.Hope this is helpful.Maranatha.

I purchased this Bible for myself. I had looked at similar items in stores but didn't care for the super thin pages, print or covers of the ones I found in my area. Plus, they were all more than $80. When my Bible finally arrived in the mail I had high hopes and prayed I wouldn't be disappointed. I WASN'T disappointed! It's beautiful, inside and out. The first thing I looked at was the texture of the pages. I was thrilled to find that they aren't like gift bag tissue paper as so many of the new Bibles are. Of course they are thin... but not too thin. The print is also dark enough to be readable. The cover is unique but not distracting. And the price... AWESOME!!! This is not a $40 dollar Bible but I was stoked that it was that inexpensive. I have recommended this Bible to everyone!!!

Excellent. I really love it because it helps me to understand different passages. Because I took this to Bible study, others have expressed an interest in buying a similar one. I should have bought a slightly larger print but it is still okay.

My wife for whom I bought this Bible really likes it. Just the right size text. My wife loves it.

Two great Bible translations together in one volume with a beautiful cover.

I gave it to a friend. That is why I bought it; for its conciseness in the NIV and the contemporary eloquence of The Message

I really like the study notes and it's great to have the two versions side by side, bit heavy though.