Bible translation taxonomy: word-for-word and thought-for-thought are both valuable; paraphrases (Amplified, The Message) are tools, not translations, and are misused when read as straight Bible

Mike limits his comment to the Amplified Bible (insufficient familiarity with NCV and CEV). The Amplified includes multiple possible renderings of phrases in the running text — useful as a study tool showing translation options, but problematic if read as a single authoritative translation (since multiple options can't all be simultaneously true). Mike's taxonomy: (1) word-for-word (ESV, NASB), (2) thought-for-thought (NIV) — both legitimate, (3) paraphrase/expansive (Message, Amplified, NLT) — useful as tools but not meant to be read as primary Bible text. His concern: most Christians don't realize The Message is a paraphrase and read it as a translation.