The Message Bible MSG
The Latin Vulgate VUL
1 And don't tell me that I have no authority to write like this. I'm perfectly free to do this - isn't that obvious? Haven't I been given a job to do? Wasn't I commissioned to this work in a face-to-face meeting with Jesus, our Master? Aren't you yourselves proof of the good work that I've done for the Master?
1
non sum liber non sum apostolus nonne Iesum Dominum nostrum vidi non opus meum vos estis in Domino
2 Even if no one else admits the authority of my commission, you can't deny it. Why, my work with you is living proof of my authority!
2
si aliis non sum apostolus sed tamen vobis sum nam signaculum apostolatus mei vos estis in Domino
3 I'm not shy in standing up to my critics.
3
mea defensio apud eos qui me interrogant haec est
4 We who are on missionary assignments for God have a right to decent accommodations,
4
numquid non habemus potestatem manducandi et bibendi
5 and we have a right to support for us and our families. You don't seem to have raised questions with the other apostles and our Master's brothers and Peter in these matters.
5
numquid non habemus potestatem sororem mulierem circumducendi sicut et ceteri apostoli et fratres Domini et Cephas
6 So, why me? Is it just Barnabas and I who have to go it alone and pay our own way?
6
aut solus ego et Barnabas non habemus potestatem hoc operandi
7 Are soldiers self-employed? Are gardeners forbidden to eat vegetables from their own gardens? Don't milkmaids get to drink their fill from the pail?
7
quis militat suis stipendiis umquam quis plantat vineam et fructum eius non edit quis pascit gregem et de lacte gregis non manducat
8 I'm not just sounding off because I'm irritated. This is all written in the scriptural law.
8
numquid secundum hominem haec dico an et lex haec non dicit
9 Moses wrote, "Don't muzzle an ox to keep it from eating the grain when it's threshing." Do you think Moses' primary concern was the care of farm animals?
9
scriptum est enim in lege Mosi non alligabis os bovi trituranti numquid de bubus cura est Deo
10 Don't you think his concern extends to us? Of course. Farmers plow and thresh expecting something when the crop comes in.
10
an propter nos utique dicit nam propter nos scripta sunt quoniam debet in spe qui arat arare et qui triturat in spe fructus percipiendi
11 So if we have planted spiritual seed among you, is it out of line to expect a meal or two from you?
11
si nos vobis spiritalia seminavimus magnum est si nos carnalia vestra metamus
12 Others demand plenty from you in these ways. Don't we who have never demanded deserve even more?
12
si alii potestatis vestrae participes sunt non potius nos sed non usi sumus hac potestate sed omnia sustinemus ne quod offendiculum demus evangelio Christi
13 All I'm concerned with right now is that you not use our decision to take advantage of others, depriving them of what is rightly theirs. You know, don't you, that it's always been taken for granted that those who work in the Temple live off the proceeds of the Temple, and that those who offer sacrifices at the altar eat their meals from what has been sacrificed?
13
nescitis quoniam qui in sacrario operantur quae de sacrario sunt edunt qui altario deserviunt cum altario participantur
14 Along the same lines, the Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message.
14
ita et Dominus ordinavit his qui evangelium adnuntiant de evangelio vivere
15 Still, I want it made clear that I've never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I'm not writing now to get something. I'd rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or impugn my motives.
15
ego autem nullo horum usus sum non scripsi autem haec ut ita fiant in me bonum est enim mihi magis mori quam ut gloriam meam quis evacuet
16 If I proclaim the Message, it's not to get something out of it for myself. I'm compelled to do it, and doomed if I don't!
16
nam si evangelizavero non est mihi gloria necessitas enim mihi incumbit vae enim mihi est si non evangelizavero
17 If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I'd expect some pay. But since it's not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid?
17
si enim volens hoc ago mercedem habeo si autem invitus dispensatio mihi credita est
18 So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don't even have to pay my expenses!
18
quae est ergo merces mea ut evangelium praedicans sine sumptu ponam evangelium ut non abutar potestate mea in evangelio
19 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people:
19
nam cum liber essem ex omnibus omnium me servum feci ut plures lucri facerem
20 religious, nonreligious,
20
et factus sum Iudaeis tamquam Iudaeus ut Iudaeos lucrarer
21 meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists,
21
his qui sub lege sunt quasi sub lege essem cum ipse non essem sub lege ut eos qui sub lege erant lucri facerem his qui sine lege erant tamquam sine lege essem cum sine lege Dei non essem sed in lege essem Christi ut lucri facerem eos qui sine lege erant
22 the defeated, the demoralized - whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ - but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life.
22
factus sum infirmis infirmus ut infirmos lucri facerem omnibus omnia factus sum ut omnes facerem salvos
23 I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
23
omnia autem facio propter evangelium ut particeps eius efficiar
24 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.
24
nescitis quod hii qui in stadio currunt omnes quidem currunt sed unus accipit bravium sic currite ut conprehendatis
25 All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
25
omnis autem qui in agone contendit ab omnibus se abstinet et illi quidem ut corruptibilem coronam accipiant nos autem incorruptam
26 I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me!
26
ego igitur sic curro non quasi in incertum sic pugno non quasi aerem verberans
27 I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
27
sed castigo corpus meum et in servitutem redigo ne forte cum aliis praedicaverim ipse reprobus efficiar
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.