Stucco asked: .... isn't every translation a paraphrase to one degree or another?
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Hmmm........ I'm glad, for example, that Moses didn't paraphrase what God said His laws for the people were, but rather he translated them to the people.
Read the definition of the word translate and then that of paraphrase and the difference will be evident.
Not to be picking on Stucco, but I think that line of reasoning is a tool in Satan's hands every time someone chooses a paraphrase over the actual Word of God.

Cecil- who only looked at this thread because I was looking for an in-depth critique of The Message online and thought I'd find one here for sure......