The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Plain English · paraphraseAs soon as Jesus heard what was said, he told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid. Just believe."

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he allowed no one to follow him, except Peter, and James, and John, the brother of James.

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the crowd, and those who were weeping and crying loudly.

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he came in, he said to them, "Why are you making such a commotion and weeping? The girl is not dead, but sleeping."

And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

Plain English · paraphraseThey laughed at him. But when he had driven them all out, he took the girl's father and mother and those with him and went into the room where the girl was lying.

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he took the girl by the hand and said to her, "Talitha, get up." That means, "Damsel, I tell you, arise."

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

Plain English · paraphraseAt once the girl stood up and walked. She was twelve years old. They were amazed in a great way.

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he strongly ordered them that no one should know about it. He told them to give her something to eat.

And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when the Sabbath day came, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were astonished. They said, "Where did this man get these things? What wisdom has been given to him, that even such mighty works are done by his hands?"

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

Plain English · paraphraseBut Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own home."

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

Plain English · paraphraseHe was surprised by their lack of faith. He traveled from village to village, teaching.

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he called the twelve to him and began to send them out in pairs. He gave them authority over unclean spirits.

And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he told them not to take anything for their journey, only a staff. No bag, no bread, no money in their pockets:

But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

Plain English · paraphraseBut wear sandals and do not wear two coats.

And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Wherever you go into a house, stay there until you leave that place."

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd whoever will not welcome you or listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust from your feet as a testimony against them. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that city.

And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Plain English · paraphraseKing Herod heard about him, for his name had spread widely. He said, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miracles are happening through him."

Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

Plain English · paraphraseOthers said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, or someone like one of the prophets."

But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.

Plain English · paraphraseHerod had sent men to arrest John and locked him in prison because of Herodias, who was the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her.

For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

Plain English · paraphraseJohn had told Herod, "It is not right for you to have your brother's wife."

Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Plain English · paraphraseHerod feared John, because he knew John was a just and holy man. He watched him carefully. When he listened to him, he did many things and was glad to hear him.

And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when a convenient day came, Herod held a banquet on his birthday for his lords, high captains, and leading men of Galilee.

And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those sitting with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I will give it to you."

And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he promised her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom."

And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd she went out and asked her mother, "What should I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."

And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd she came quickly to the king and asked, saying, I want you to give me right away on a plate the head of John the Baptist.

And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the king was very sorry. But because of his oath and because of those sitting with him, he would not refuse her.

And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd right away the king sent a soldier to carry out the death sentence and ordered his head to be brought. The soldier went and cut off his head in the prison.

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

And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb.

And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Come with me to a quiet place and rest for a while. Many people are coming and going, and you have no time even to eat."

And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the people saw them leaving, and many recognized him. They ran on foot from all the cities, got there before them, and gathered around him.

And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus came out and saw a large crowd. He felt compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many things.

And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when the day was nearly over, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and now the time has passed."

Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

Plain English · paraphraseSend them away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages to buy bread for themselves. They have nothing to eat.

He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

Plain English · paraphraseHe answered them, "Give them something to eat." They said to him, "Should we go and buy two hundred coins worth of bread and give it to them to eat?"

He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five, and two fish."

And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he told them to have everyone sit down in groups on the green grass.

And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they sat down in groups, in hundreds and in fifties.

And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

And they did all eat, and were filled.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they all ate and were filled.

And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they gathered up twelve baskets full of the leftover pieces and the fish.

And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

Plain English · paraphraseAbout five thousand men had eaten the loaves.

And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd immediately he told his disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he sent the crowd away.

And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

Plain English · paraphraseAfter sending them away, he went up to a mountain to pray.

And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when evening came, the ship was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land.

And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he saw them working hard at the oars, because the wind was against them. Around the fourth watch of the night, he came to them, walking on the sea, and intended to pass by them.

But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

Plain English · paraphraseBut when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and shouted out.

For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he went up to them in the boat, and the wind stopped. They were very amazed in themselves, beyond measure, and they wondered.

For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

Plain English · paraphraseThey did not consider the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were hardened.

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they came out of the boat, they recognized him right away.

And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd ran through that whole area, and began to carry out the sick on beds wherever they heard he was.

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd wherever he went, into villages, or cities, or countryside, they placed the sick in the streets and begged to touch even the edge of his clothes. And all who touched him were healed.

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the Pharisees and some scribes from Jerusalem came to him.

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Pharisees and all the Jews will not eat unless they wash their hands often, holding to the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they come from the market, unless they wash, they do not eat. And many other things there are, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, bronze vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Plain English · paraphraseThen the Pharisees and scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples follow the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Plain English · paraphraseHe answered them, "It's good that Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."

Howbeit in vain do they 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.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Plain English · paraphraseYou set aside God's commandments and follow human traditions, like washing pots and cups. You do many other things like this.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "You clearly reject God's commandment in order to keep your own traditions."

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

Plain English · paraphraseMoses said, "Honor your father and your mother. And anyone who curses their father or mother must be put to death."

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

Plain English · paraphraseBut you say, If a man says to his father or mother, "It is Corban," which means a gift, by any benefit I could give you; he is free.

And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he had called all the people to him, he said to them, "Listen to me, each of you, and understand:"

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

Plain English · paraphraseNothing from outside a man can enter him and defile him. It is the things that come out of him that defile him.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Plain English · paraphraseIf anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.

And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he went into the house from the people, his disciples asked him about the parable.

And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding? Don't you realize that whatever comes from outside cannot make a man unclean?"

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Plain English · paraphraseBecause it does not enter his heart, but into the stomach, and goes out into the sewer, cleansing all foods?

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said, What comes out of a person is what defiles a person.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Plain English · paraphraseAll these evil things come from inside, and they make the man unclean.

And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd from there he got up and went into the area of Tyre and Sidon. He went into a house and wanted no one to know about it. But he could not remain hidden.

For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

Plain English · paraphraseA woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him and came to him, falling at his feet.

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

Plain English · paraphraseThe woman was Greek, from the region of Syrophenicia. She begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

Plain English · paraphraseBut Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first. It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.

And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to her, "Because of what you said, go on your way. The devil has left your daughter."

And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen she arrived at her house, she found the demon had left, and her daughter lying on the bed.

And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd again, leaving the shores of Tyre and Sidon, he went to the Sea of Galilee, passing through the middle of the region of Decapolis.

And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they brought to him a man who was deaf and had trouble speaking. They asked him to place his hand on the man.

And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd right away his ears were opened, and the tie on his tongue was undone, and he spoke clearly.

And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he told them not to tell anyone. But the more he told them not to, the more they talked about it.