The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Plain English · paraphraseYou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Plain English · paraphraseThe second is like this: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." No commandment is greater than these.

And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the scribe said to him, "Well, Teacher, you have spoken the truth. For there is one God, and there is no one else besides him."

And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd to love him with all the heart, with all the mind, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love the neighbor as oneself, is more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.

And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. And no one after that dared to ask him any question.

And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, "Why do the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?"

For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Plain English · paraphraseDavid said, inspired by the Holy Spirit, "The Lord said to my master, 'Sit at my right side until I place your enemies under your feet.'"

David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

Plain English · paraphraseDavid himself calls him Lord. Then how can he be his son? The common people heard this gladly.

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to them in his teaching, "Be careful of the scribes, who like to wear long robes and enjoy greetings in the marketplaces,

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus sat near the treasury and watched as people put money into it. Many rich people put in large amounts.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd a poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he called to his disciples and said to them, I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who have put money into the treasury:

For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Plain English · paraphraseFor all of them gave from their abundance, but she, from her need, gave everything she had, even all her living.

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

Plain English · paraphraseAs he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Teacher, look at these stones and this building!"

And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered him, "Do you see these large buildings? Not one stone will be left on top of another. They will all be thrown down."

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd as he sat on the Mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Plain English · paraphraseTell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that all these things have been fulfilled?

And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Plain English · paraphraseMany will come in my name, saying, "I am the Messiah," and they will deceive many.

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen you hear about wars and reports of wars, don’t be upset. These things must happen, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Plain English · paraphraseBut be careful for yourselves. They will hand you over to councils, and in the synagogues you will be beaten. You will be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, as a testimony against them.

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when they lead you and hand you over, don’t worry beforehand about what you will say, and don’t plan it out. Instead, say whatever is given to you in that hour, because it is not you who speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Plain English · paraphraseNow a brother will betray his brother to be killed, and a father will betray his son. Children will rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Plain English · paraphraseYou will be hated by all people because of my name. But whoever holds out until the end will be saved.

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd let the person who is on the roof not go down into the house, and let them not enter the house to take anything out of their house:

And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd let the one who is in the field not turn back to pick up his garment.

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Plain English · paraphraseBut woe to those who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing in those days!

And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd pray that your escape does not happen in the winter.

For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

Plain English · paraphraseIn those days, there will be suffering such as there has never been since God created the world, and never will be again.

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if the Lord had not shortened those days, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he has chosen, he shortened the days.

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if anyone tells you, "Look, here is the Christ," or "Look, he is there," do not believe them.

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Plain English · paraphraseFalse Christs and false prophets will rise up and show signs and wonders to deceive, if it were possible, even the chosen ones.

But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Plain English · paraphraseBut be careful. Look, I have told you everything that will happen.

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the stars in the sky will fall, and the forces in heaven will be shaken.

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd then he will send his angels, and they will gather his chosen people from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

Plain English · paraphraseNow learn a parable from the fig tree: when its branch is still tender and starts to sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.

So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

Plain English · paraphraseSo you also, when you see these things happen, know that it is near, right at the door.

Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Plain English · paraphraseHeaven and earth will disappear. But my words will not disappear.

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Son of Man is like a man going on a long journey. He left his house and gave authority to his servants, assigning each of them their work. He told the doorkeeper to watch.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

Plain English · paraphraseTwo days later was the Passover feast and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest him by trickery and kill him.

But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

Plain English · paraphraseBut they said, "Not on the feast day, because it might cause an uproar among the people."

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd while he was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, sitting at the meal, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive spikenard ointment. She broke the jar and poured the ointment on his head.

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

Plain English · paraphraseSome people were upset inside and said, "Why was this ointment wasted?"

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jesus said, Let her alone. Why are you troubling her? She has done a good thing for me.

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

Plain English · paraphraseFor you have the poor with you always, and whenever you want, you may do them good. But me you have not always.

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Plain English · paraphraseShe did what she could. She came ahead of time to anoint my body for burial.

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you the truth, wherever this good news is preached in the whole world, what she has done will also be told as a memory of her.

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen they heard this, they were happy and promised to give him money. He then looked for a good way to betray him.

And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

Plain English · paraphraseOn the first day of the Unleavened Bread, when they were sacrificing the Passover, his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go to prepare so that you can eat the Passover?"

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he sent out two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him."

And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd wherever he goes, say to the householder, "The Master asks, 'Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?'"

And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready: there, prepare for us.

And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd his disciples went out and entered the city. They found things just as he had told them. They prepared the Passover.

And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

Plain English · paraphraseAs they were sitting and eating, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, one of you who is eating with me will betray me."

And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they began to be sad, and one by one they said to him, "Is it me?" And another said, "Is it me?"

And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

Plain English · paraphraseHe answered them, "One of the twelve who eats with me."

The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Son of Man is going, just as it was written about him. But woe to the man who betrays the Son of Man! It would have been better for that man if he had never been born.

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd as they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them. He said, "Take and eat. This is my body."

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

Plain English · paraphraseHe took the cup, said thanks, and gave it to them. They all drank from it.

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to them, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many."

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you the truth, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd after they sang a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them, "All of you will be shocked because of me tonight. It is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'"

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

Plain English · paraphraseBut after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

Plain English · paraphraseBut Peter said to him, "Even if everyone is offended, I will not."

And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."

But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

Plain English · paraphraseBut he spoke more strongly, "If I die with you, I will not deny you in any way." They all said the same.

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they came to a place called Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be very frightened and deeply troubled;

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he went a little forward and fell to the ground, praying that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said, "Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup away from me. But not what I want, but what you want."

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch for one hour?"

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he comes to them for the third time. He says, "Rest now and sleep. It is enough. The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is being handed over to sinners."

Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Plain English · paraphraseGet up, let us go. Look, the one who will betray me is nearby.

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd right away, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came with a large crowd carrying swords and sticks, sent by the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.

And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the one who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, "Whoever I kiss, that is the one. Take him and lead him away safely."

And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd as soon as he arrived, he went straight to him and said, "Master, master," and kissed him.