The New King James Version (NKJV) is a word-for-word style translation that keeps close to the wording of the original Hebrew and Greek, updated from the older King James tradition. The Message (MSG) is not a translation in the strict sense but a paraphrase by Eugene Peterson, who restated the biblical text in everyday American English to capture its mood and meaning. Readers who want to study the exact wording and phrasing of Scripture usually lean toward the NKJV, while readers who want a fresh, plain-speaking read that feels like a conversation tend to prefer the MSG.
Background
The NKJV was produced by a large committee of Protestant scholars and published by Thomas Nelson in 1982, completing the New Testament in that year and the full Bible a few years later. It was designed to preserve the familiar cadences of the King James Version while replacing older words and grammatical forms that had become hard for modern readers to follow. For many churches, especially those with a traditional worship style, it feels like a natural bridge between the old and the new.
The MSG began as a personal project. Eugene Peterson, a pastor and author, wrote it section by section over roughly two decades and first appeared in full in 2002, published by NavPress. Peterson described his goal as helping people hear the biblical stories as if they were happening now, which is why his language is so direct, colloquial and sometimes surprising. Because it came from one author’s hand rather than a committee, it has a distinct voice that readers either find refreshing or find too personal.
Translation Method
The NKJV follows a formal equivalence approach, meaning it tries to render each original word with a corresponding English word and to keep the sentence structure close to the source where possible. The result is a text that reads more slowly and sometimes formally, but it lets you see the repeated terms, the grammar and the word choices that a study Bible or commentary might discuss. Many pastors and small-group leaders use it precisely because a phrase in the English can be traced back to a phrase in the original.
The MSG takes the opposite path. Peterson worked from the sense of each passage and then wrote it out in fresh English, often collapsing several phrases into one idea and adding vivid images from modern life. This makes passages easier to picture and remember, but it also means that a single English sentence in the MSG may not map neatly onto the Greek or Hebrew words beneath it. It is best read alongside a more literal version when precise study is the goal.
Reading Level and Style
The NKJV reads in an elevated but understandable register. Its sentences are often long and its vocabulary is more traditional than a contemporary speech pattern, so most adult readers find it manageable though not effortless. Its rhythm will feel familiar to anyone raised on older English Bibles, and it suits reading aloud in worship or family devotions.
The MSG is written in casual, present-day American English with short sentences, contractions, slang and idioms. Readers generally find it very easy to move through quickly, which is part of its appeal for people who have never read the Bible before or who have found older translations hard to follow. The same informality can make some readers feel that weighty passages are being spoken too lightly, so its tone is a matter of personal taste.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
(WEB)
The NKJV renders this line in a formal way that keeps the familiar shepherd image and the traditional phrasing of the King James tradition, so the sentence feels stately and old in its rhythm. The MSG restates the same idea in a warm, personal way, turning the statement of trust into a more intimate, conversational sentence. Both keep the image of a shepherd and the sense of provision, but one favors the cadence of the original wording while the other favors an immediate, everyday feel.
Who Should Use It
Choose the NKJV if you want a text that stays close to the original wording, if you plan to study word choices or follow a sermon that quotes it, or if you value a traditional sound. Its limits are that the older sentence patterns can slow new readers and that it does not explain the background of its phrases the way a study Bible might.
Choose the MSG if you want to feel the force of a familiar passage in fresh language, if you are introducing a friend or child to Scripture, or if you read best with plain modern speech. Its limits are that it is a paraphrase by one author, so it should not be the only Bible you rely on for careful study or doctrinal questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MSG an actual Bible translation?
Strictly speaking, the MSG is a paraphrase rather than a translation, since Eugene Peterson restated the meaning in his own contemporary English. Many readers still use it for devotional reading. It works best alongside a word-for-word version for close study.
Why do people still choose the NKJV over newer versions?
Many people value its close connection to the King James tradition and its attention to the wording of the original languages. It is often the version used in churches that prefer a traditional style of worship. Its familiar sound also makes it easy to memorize.
Can I use both together for reading?
Yes, many readers use the NKJV for study and the MSG for fresh devotional reading. Comparing the two on the same passage can help you notice details that either one alone might suggest. Just keep in mind that the MSG reflects one author’s interpretation.
