English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
1
The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God,
2 He was in the beginning with God.
2
in readiness for God from day one.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
3
Everything was created through him; nothing - not one thing! - came into being without him.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
4
What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
5
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.