My formal education stopped with Hi School graduation so certainly do not consider myself an authority Any progress that may have come my way has been via the "home school" route, but personally I almost detest the Message. I love the ESV and have bought at least 10 and given them as gifts. One gift was to a pastor who loves the Message, and my referring to it as "just a paraphrase" did not make me any points. It may be ok for children (for awhile), but to assume adults must stay at that level, I believe is an insult. When I am studying the ESV I sense the presence of God in what I read. Psychological? Maybe so, but it is a great feeling.

gil