The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you the truth, some people standing here will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd after six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John, his brother, and led them up to a high mountain by themselves.

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes were white like the light.

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Plain English · paraphraseWhile he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them. A voice came from the cloud and said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen the disciples heard this, they fell face down and were very afraid.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Get up. Don't be afraid."

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Plain English · paraphraseAs they came down from the mountain, Jesus told them, "Do not tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd his disciples asked him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered them, "Elias will come first and restore all things."

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Plain English · paraphraseBut I say to you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.

Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they arrived at the crowd, a man came to him, knelt down before him, and said,

Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

Plain English · paraphraseLord, have mercy on my son. He is a lunatic and badly troubled. He often falls into the fire and often into the water.

And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jesus told the devil to stop. The devil left the child. The child was healed right away.

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

Plain English · paraphraseThen the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why couldn't we cast him out?"

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief. I tell you the truth: If you have faith like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to that place,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Plain English · paraphraseBut this kind of thing won't leave except through prayer and fasting.

And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

Plain English · paraphraseWhile they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man will be handed over to men."

And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised again. And they were very sad.

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

Plain English · paraphraseWhen they arrived in Capernaum, the people who collected the temple tax came to Peter and asked, "Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?"

He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Plain English · paraphraseHe said, "Yes." And when he entered the house, Jesus went ahead of him, asking, "Simon, what do you think? Do kings of the earth collect taxes from their own children or from strangers?"

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

Plain English · paraphrasePeter said to him, "Of strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the children are free."

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Plain English · paraphraseAt the same time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd whoever welcomes one such little child in my name welcomes me.

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Plain English · paraphraseBut whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them that a millstone were hung around their neck and they were drowned in the deep of the sea.

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Plain English · paraphraseWoe to the world because of offenses! It must be that offenses come, but woe to the one by whom the offense comes!

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Plain English · paraphraseIf your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut them off and throw them away. It is better for you to enter life missing a hand or foot than to have both hands or both feet and be thrown into eternal fire.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire.

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseBe careful not to look down on any of these little ones. I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Son of Man has come to save what was lost.

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

Plain English · paraphraseWhat do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one goes missing, wouldn't he leave the ninety-nine and go into the mountains to look for the one that is lost?

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is not the will of your Father in heaven that even one of these little ones should be lost.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Plain English · paraphraseIf your brother wrongs you, go to him and tell him what he did, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Plain English · paraphraseBut if he will not listen to you, then take one or two more people with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses to listen to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you the truth: Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseAgain I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Plain English · paraphraseThen Peter came to him and said, "Lord, how many times will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he had started to calculate, someone was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Plain English · paraphraseBut since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned, to make the payment.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Plain English · paraphraseThe servant fell to his knees and worshiped him. He said, "Lord, be patient with me, and I will pay you everything."

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the lord of that servant felt compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence. He grabbed him and held him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe me."

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Plain English · paraphraseSo when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very sorry. They went and told their master everything that had happened.

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Plain English · paraphraseThen his master, after calling him, said to him, "You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Plain English · paraphraseShould you not also have shown compassion to your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd his master was angry, and handed him over to the torturers, until he paid everything he owed.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Plain English · paraphraseSo my heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if you do not from your hearts forgive each one their brother's sins.

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

Plain English · paraphraseAfter Jesus finished speaking these words, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judaea across the Jordan.

And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd large crowds followed him; and he healed them there.

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

Plain English · paraphraseThe Pharisees came to him too, testing him. They said to him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he answered them, "Have you not read that the one who made them from the beginning made them male and female,

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd said, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and join with his wife, and the two will become one flesh?"

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore, they are no longer two, but one body. So what God has joined together, let no person separate.

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

Plain English · paraphraseThey said to him, "If that is the case, why did Moses command that a certificate of divorce be given and that she be sent away?"

He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

Plain English · paraphraseHe says to them, "Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because of how hard your hearts are. But it was not like that from the beginning."

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd I say to you, whoever puts away his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. And whoever marries her who has been put away commits adultery.

His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

Plain English · paraphraseBut he said to them, Not all people can accept this teaching except those to whom it is given.

For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Plain English · paraphraseSome eunuchs are born that way from their mother’s womb. Some eunuchs are made eunuchs by other people. And there are eunuchs who make themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever is able to accept this, let them accept it.

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

Plain English · paraphraseThen people brought little children to him so he could place his hands on them and pray. But his disciples scolded them.

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseBut Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and don't stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to those like these.

And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Plain English · paraphraseHe placed his hands on them and left that place.

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd someone came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing should I do to have eternal life?"

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except one, and that is God. But if you want to enter life, keep the commandments."

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Plain English · paraphraseHe asked, "Which?" Jesus said, "You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not give false testimony."

Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Plain English · paraphraseHonor your father and your mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Plain English · paraphraseThe young man said to him, "I have kept all these things from my youth. What else do I need?"

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you have, give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me."

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven."

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Plain English · paraphraseWhen his disciples heard this, they were very surprised. They said, "Then who can be saved?"

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Plain English · paraphraseBut Jesus looked at them and said, "With people, this is impossible. But with God, all things are possible."

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

Plain English · paraphraseThen Peter answered and said to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. What will we get for it?"

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd everyone who has given up houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to them, "Go into the vineyard too, and I will pay you what is fair." So they went.

Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

Plain English · paraphraseAgain he went out around the sixth and ninth hour, and did the same.

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, "Why are you standing here all day idle?"

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

Plain English · paraphraseThey said to him, "No one has hired us." He said to them, "Go into the vineyard too. You will receive what is right."