The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.

Plain English · paraphraseHerod had arrested John, tied him up, and put him in prison because of Herodias, who was the wife of Herod’s brother Philip.

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he was about to kill him, he was afraid of the crowd, because they considered him a prophet.

But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when they celebrated Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for them, and Herod was pleased.

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

Plain English · paraphraseHe promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for.

And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd she, who had been previously instructed by her mother, said, "Give me here the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

Plain English · paraphraseThe king was sorry, but because of the oath and the people who were eating with him, he ordered it to be given to her.

And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd his head was placed in a dish and given to the girl. She brought it to her mother.

And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Jesus heard about it, he left there in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. But when the people heard where he had gone, they walked from the cities to follow him.

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus went out and saw a large crowd. He felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when evening came, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the time is already late. Send the crowd away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves."

But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

Plain English · paraphraseBut Jesus said to them, "They need not go away. Give them something to eat."

And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

Plain English · paraphraseThey said to him, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish."

He said, Bring them hither to me.

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Plain English · paraphraseHe told the crowd to sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish. He looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples. The disciples gave them to the crowd.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they all ate and were filled. They picked up the leftover pieces and filled twelve baskets.

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

Plain English · paraphraseAt once, Jesus told his disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away.

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Plain English · paraphraseAfter he sent the crowds away, he went up a mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was still there alone.

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the ship was now in the middle of the sea, being tossed by waves, because the wind was against them.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Plain English · paraphraseBut right away Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be encouraged; it is me. Do not be afraid."

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water."

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when he saw the wind was wild, he became afraid. And as he began to go under, he shouted, "Lord, save me!"

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Plain English · paraphraseAt once, Jesus reached out his hand, grabbed him, and said, "You have so little faith. Why did you doubt?"

And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they went into the boat, the wind stopped.

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the people in the boat came and worshiped him. They said, "You are truly the Son of God."

And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they had crossed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when the people of that place found out about him, they went out to all the surrounding areas and brought to him all who were sick.

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they begged him that they might only touch the edge of his clothing: and all who touched were completely healed.

Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

Plain English · paraphraseThen scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They said,

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Plain English · paraphrase"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands when they eat bread."

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Plain English · paraphraseBut he answered them, "Why do you also break God's commandments through your traditions?"

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Plain English · paraphraseGod commanded, "Honor your father and mother. Anyone who curses their father or mother must be put to death."

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if anyone does not honor their father or their mother, they are free. In this way, you have made the commandment of God ineffective through your traditions.

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

Plain English · paraphraseYou hypocrites, Isaiah was right to prophesy about you, saying,

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Plain English · paraphraseThis people draws near to me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Plain English · paraphraseBut their worship is in vain, because they teach as doctrines the commandments of men.

And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Plain English · paraphraseHe called the crowd and said to them, "Listen and understand."

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

Plain English · paraphraseThen his disciples came to him and said, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this teaching?"

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Plain English · paraphraseBut he answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots."

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

Plain English · paraphraseThen Peter answered and said to him, "Explain this parable to us."

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said, "Are you still not understanding?"

Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the things that come from the mouth come from the heart, and they make the person unclean.

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Plain English · paraphraseFrom the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies.

These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Plain English · paraphraseThese are the things that make a person unclean. But eating with unwashed hands does not make a person unclean.

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

Plain English · paraphraseThen Jesus went from there and left to the area of Tyre and Sidon.

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd a woman from Canaan came from those same areas and called out to him, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David. A demon is tormenting my daughter terribly."

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

Plain English · paraphraseBut he did not answer her a word. His disciples came and asked him, "Send her away; she keeps calling out to us."

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

Plain English · paraphraseThen she came and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, help me."

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Plain English · paraphraseThen Jesus answered and said to her, "Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus left that place and came near the Sea of Galilee. He went up onto a mountain and sat down there.

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd large crowds came to him, bringing with them people who were lame, blind, mute, injured, and many others. They laid them at Jesus’ feet, and he healed them.

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Plain English · paraphraseSo much so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the injured made whole, the crippled walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

Plain English · paraphraseThen Jesus called his disciples to him and said, I feel compassion for the crowd, because they have stayed with me for three days and have nothing to eat. I will not send them away without food, or they might collapse on the way.

And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd his disciples said to him, "Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to feed such a large crowd?"

And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish."

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he told the crowd to sit on the ground.

And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Plain English · paraphraseHe took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they all ate and were filled. They picked up the leftover pieces of food and filled seven baskets.

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

Plain English · paraphraseHe sent the crowd away, got into a boat, and went to the region of Magdala.

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Pharisees and Sadducees came to him and tested him, asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

Plain English · paraphraseHe answered them, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather,' because the sky is red.

And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd in the morning, it will be bad weather today, because the sky is red and dark. You people who pretend, you can tell what the sky looks like, but can you not see the meaning of the times?

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Plain English · paraphraseA wicked and unfaithful generation keeps looking for a sign. No sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. He left them and went away.

And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when his disciples arrived at the other side, they had forgotten to bring bread.

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they talked among themselves, saying, It is because we have not taken any bread.

Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Jesus saw this, he said to them, "You people with little faith, why are you arguing among yourselves because you brought no bread?"

Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Plain English · paraphraseDo you not yet understand, and do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up?

Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Plain English · paraphraseWhy don't you understand that I wasn't speaking about bread, but told you to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees?

Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Plain English · paraphraseThen they understood that he was not warning them about the leaven of bread, but about the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

Plain English · paraphraseJesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, "What do people say I am, the Son of Man?"

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they said, Some say you are John the Baptist. Some say Elijah. Others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "But who do you say I am?"

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered, "You are blessed, Simon Barjona. Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven."

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd I say to you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church. The gates of hell will not overcome it.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Plain English · paraphraseThen he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was Jesus the Christ.

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Plain English · paraphraseFrom that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem. There he would suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes. He would be killed and raised again on the third day.

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Plain English · paraphraseThen Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord. This will not happen to you."

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Plain English · paraphraseBut he turned and said to Peter, "Go behind me, Satan. You are a problem for me. You are thinking about human things, not God's things."

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to his disciples, "If anyone wants to follow me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me."

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever wants to save his life will lose it. Whoever is willing to lose his life for my sake will find it.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Plain English · paraphraseWhat good is it for a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul? What can a man give in exchange for his soul?

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Plain English · paraphraseFor the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to their works.