The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they were extremely amazed, saying, "He has done everything well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

Plain English · paraphraseIn those days, the crowd was very large, and they had nothing to eat. Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them,

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

Plain English · paraphraseI feel pity for the crowd, because they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat.

And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd his disciples answered him, "How can one man feed all these people here in the wilderness?"

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven."

And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he told the people to sit on the ground. He took the seven loaves, gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. They set them before the people.

And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they had a few small fish. He blessed them and told them to set them before the people as well.

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

Plain English · paraphraseSo they ate and were full. They gathered up the leftover pieces and filled seven baskets.

And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd those who had eaten were about four thousand. He sent them away.

And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd immediately he went into a boat with his disciples and arrived in the area of Dalmanutha.

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Pharisees came out and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, testing him.

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he sighed deeply in his spirit. He said, "Why does this generation look for a sign? I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation."

And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he left them, and went into the boat again and crossed to the other side.

Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.

Plain English · paraphraseNow the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they had in the ship with them no more than one loaf.

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he warned them, saying, Be careful, watch out for the influence of the Pharisees, and for the influence of Herod.

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

And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when Jesus knew it, he said to them, "Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don't you see yet, and don't you understand? Is your heart still hardened?"

Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

Plain English · paraphraseHaving eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?

When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.

Plain English · paraphrase"When I broke the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you gather up? They said to him, Twelve."

And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Why don't you understand?"

And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.

Plain English · paraphraseHe came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and asked him to touch him.

And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he sent him away to his house, saying, "Do not go into the town, and do not tell anyone in the town."

And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

Plain English · paraphraseJesus and his disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked his disciples, "What do people say I am?"

And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to them, "But who do you say I am?" And Peter answered and said to him, "You are the Christ."

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he told them not to tell anyone about him.

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when he turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind me, Satan. You are not thinking about the things that belong to God, but the things that belong to people."

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he had called the people to him, along with his disciples, he said to them, "Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

Plain English · paraphraseFor whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same will save it.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Plain English · paraphraseWhat will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever is ashamed of me and my words in this unfaithful and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of them when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to them, I tell you the truth, there are some of you standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come with power.

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

Plain English · paraphraseAfter six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up to a high mountain by themselves. He was transformed in front of them.

And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus.

And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd there was a cloud that covered them. A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."

And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd suddenly, when they looked around, there was no one else to be seen, only Jesus with them.

And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

Plain English · paraphraseAs they came down from the mountain, he told them not to say anything about what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they kept that saying in their minds, asking each other what the rising from the dead could mean.

And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

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

And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

Plain English · paraphraseBut I say to you, Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wanted, as it was written about him.

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

Plain English · paraphraseAt once, the whole crowd, when they saw him, was very surprised. They ran to him and greeted him.

And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he asked the scribes, "What question do you have with them?"

And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

Plain English · paraphraseA man from the crowd stepped forward and said, "Teacher, I brought my son to you. He is possessed by a mute spirit."

And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd wherever he goes, he tears people: he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and wastes away. I told your disciples to cast him out, but they could not.

He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they brought him to him. When he saw him, the spirit attacked him at once, and he fell to the ground, rolling around and foaming at the mouth.

And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he asked his father, "How long ago did this happen to him?" And he said, "Since he was a child."

And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd often it has thrown him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to the one who believes."

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Jesus saw the people running together, he told the evil spirit, "You spirit that cannot speak or hear, I command you to come out of him. Do not enter him again."

And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he came into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could we not cast him out?

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "This kind of thing can come out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."

And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they left from there and went through Galilee. But he did not want anyone to know about it.

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

Plain English · paraphraseHe taught his disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is handed over to human hands, and they will kill him. But after he is killed, he will rise on the third day."

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Plain English · paraphraseBut they did not understand that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he came to Capernaum. While he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?"

But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

Plain English · paraphraseBut they stayed quiet, because along the way they had argued among themselves about who would be the greatest.

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Plain English · paraphraseHe sat down and called the twelve to him. He said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, they will be last of all and servant of all."

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he took a child and placed him in the middle of them. Then, holding the child in his arms, he said to them,

Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but the one who sent me.

And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

Plain English · paraphraseJohn answered him, saying, "Master, we saw someone casting out devils in your name, and he does not follow us. We stopped him because he does not follow us."

But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

For he that is not against us is on our part.

Plain English · paraphraseFor whoever is not against us is on our side.

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, I say the truth: that person will not lose their reward.

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them if a millstone were tied around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go into hell, into the fire that will never be put out.

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Plain English · paraphraseWhere their worm does not die, and the fire is not put out.

And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life with a limp than to have both feet and be thrown into hell, into the fire that will never be put out.

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Plain English · paraphraseWhere their worm does not die, and the fire is not put out.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if your eye causes you trouble, remove it. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire.

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Plain English · paraphraseWhere their worm does not die, and the fire is not put out.

For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Plain English · paraphraseSalt is good. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Be salty yourselves. Be at peace with each other.

And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

Plain English · paraphraseHe got up from there and went to the region of Judaea, across the other side of the Jordan. The people gathered to him again, and as was his habit, he taught them again.

And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they said, Moses allowed a man to write a divorce paper and send her away.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered them, "Because your hearts are hard, he gave you this command."

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

Plain English · paraphraseFor this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and join closely with his wife;

And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

Plain English · paraphraseThey two will become one body. So they are no longer two, but one body.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Plain English · paraphraseWhat, then, God has joined together, let no one separate.

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her."