The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

Plain English · paraphraseHe loves our people and has built a synagogue for us.

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

Plain English · paraphraseThen Jesus went with them. And when he was near the house, the centurion sent friends to him. They said, "Sir, don't trouble yourself. I am not worthy of you coming into my home."

Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore, I did not think I was worthy to come to you. But say a word, and my servant will be healed.

For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

Plain English · paraphraseFor I am also a man under authority, with soldiers under me. When I say to one, "Go," he goes. When I say to another, "Come," he comes. And when I tell my servant, "Do this," he does it.

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Jesus heard these things, he was amazed. He turned and said to the people following him, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel."

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the ones who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant who had been sick completely healed.

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

Plain English · paraphraseThe next day, he went to a city named Nain. Many of his disciples went with him, along with a large crowd.

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen he came near the city gate, he saw a dead man being carried out. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people from the city were with her.

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when the Lord saw her, he felt pity for her and said to her, "Don't weep."

And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he came and touched the coffin. Those carrying it stopped. He said, "Young man, I tell you, get up."

And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the one who had been dead sat up and began to speak. And he gave him back to his mother.

And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd fear came over all of them. They praised God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us," and "God has come to help his people."

And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd this news about him spread throughout all Judaea and the surrounding regions.

And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the disciples of John showed him about all these things.

And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd John called to Jesus two of his disciples and sent them to him with a message: "Are you the one who is coming, or should we be waiting for someone else?"

When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

Plain English · paraphraseWhen the men came to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you. Are you the one who is coming, or should we expect someone else?"

And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd in that same hour he healed many of their sicknesses and diseases, and of evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd blessed is the one who is not offended by me.

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Plain English · paraphraseWhen John's messengers had left, he began to speak to the people about John. "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?"

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.

Plain English · paraphraseBut what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothes and live in luxury are in the palaces of kings.

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

Plain English · paraphraseBut what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Plain English · paraphraseThis is the one about whom it was written: "Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way before you."

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you that among those born of women, there is no one greater than John the Baptist. But the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd all the people who heard him, and the tax collectors, praised God, having been baptized with John's baptism.

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the Pharisees and lawyers rejected God's counsel for themselves, since they were not baptized by him.

And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Lord said, "To what then shall I compare the people of this generation? And to what are they like?"

They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

Plain English · paraphraseJohn the Baptist did not eat bread or drink wine; and you say he has a demon.

The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

Plain English · paraphraseThe Son of Man has come to eat and drink, and you say, "Look, a man who is a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"

But wisdom is justified of all her children.

Plain English · paraphraseBut wisdom is proven right by all her children.

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.

Plain English · paraphraseA Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him, and Jesus went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down to eat.

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd a woman in the city who was a sinner heard that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of ointment.

And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

Plain English · paraphraseNow when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who this woman is and what kind of person she is, because she is a sinner."

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." He said, "Teacher, speak."

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

Plain English · paraphraseThere was a moneylender who had two people who owed him money. One owed five hundred coins, and the other owed fifty.

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

Plain English · paraphraseHe turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head."

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

Plain English · paraphraseYou never gave me a kiss, but this woman has kept kissing my feet ever since I came in.

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Plain English · paraphraseYou did not anoint my head with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with ointment.

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore, I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, because she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd those who were eating with him began to think among themselves, "Who is this who also forgives sins?"

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to the woman, Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.

And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,

Plain English · paraphraseAfter that, he went from city to city and village to village, preaching and sharing the good news about the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him.

And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for him from their own resources.

And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when a large crowd had gathered, coming to him from every city, he told a parable:

A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd others fell on good soil and sprang up, producing fruit a hundred times what was sown. And when he had said these things, he cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said, "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. But to others, I speak in parables, so that seeing, they may not see, and hearing, they may not understand."

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Plain English · paraphraseThe story means this: The seed is God's message.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Plain English · paraphraseThey are like plants on rocky ground. When they hear the message, they receive it with joy. But these plants have no roots. For a little while they believe, but when times of testing come, they fall away.

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Plain English · paraphraseBut those on the good ground are the ones who, with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it and produce fruit with patience.

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

Plain English · paraphraseNo one who has lit a candle covers it with a container or puts it under a bed. Instead, they place it on a candlestick so that people entering can see the light.

For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

Plain English · paraphraseNothing is secret that will not be made clear; nothing is hidden that will not be known and come to light.

Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Plain English · paraphraseSo pay close attention to how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to them. And whoever does not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them.

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

Plain English · paraphraseThen his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.

And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

Plain English · paraphraseHe answered them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

Plain English · paraphraseOne day, he got into a boat with his disciples and told them, "Let’s go to the other side of the lake." So they set out.

But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

Plain English · paraphraseBut while they were sailing, he fell asleep. A storm wind came down on the lake, and they took in water and were in danger.

And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

Plain English · paraphraseThey came to him and woke him, saying, "Master, master, we are going to die." He stood up and told the wind and the wild waves to be quiet. They stopped, and the sea became calm.

And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Plain English · paraphraseHe asked them, "Where is your faith?" They were afraid and in awe, speaking to one another, "What kind of man is this? He commands even the wind and the sea, and they obey him."

And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen he went to the land, a man came out of the city to meet him. The man had been tormented by devils for a long time. He wore no clothes and lived not in any house, but in the tombs.

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen he saw Jesus, he shouted, fell down in front of him, and in a loud voice said, "What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torment me."

(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

Plain English · paraphrase(For he had told the unclean spirit to leave the man. For many times it had seized him, and he was kept tied with chains and in fetters; but he broke the bonds, and the devil drove him into the wilderness.)

And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus asked him, "What is your name?" He answered, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.

And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they begged him not to tell them to go out into the deep.

And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd there was a large herd of pigs feeding on the mountain. They asked him to let them enter the pigs. He allowed them.

Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the devils left the man and entered the pigs. The herd rushed down a steep slope into the lake and drowned.

When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen the ones who were feeding them saw what had happened, they ran away and went to tell it in the city and in the countryside.

Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Plain English · paraphraseThen they went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind. They were afraid.

They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.

Plain English · paraphraseThose who saw it told them how the man who had the devils was healed.

Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the whole crowd from the area of the Gadarenes begged him to leave them, because they were filled with great fear. He got into the boat and went back.

Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

Plain English · paraphraseGo back to your home and tell everyone how much God has done for you. He went and told the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Jesus returned, the people welcomed him happily. They had all been waiting for him.

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd look, a man named Jairus came. He was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come into his house.

For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

Plain English · paraphraseHe had one only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as he went, the crowd pressed around him.

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd a woman who had had a bleeding condition for twelve years, who had spent all her money on doctors, and had not been healed by any of them,

Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jesus said, "Someone has touched me, because I feel power leaving me."

And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling and fell down before him. She told him in front of all the people why she had touched him and how she was healed at once.

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to her, "Daughter, be comforted. Your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

Plain English · paraphraseWhile he was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue ruler and said to him, "Your daughter is dead. Don't bother the Master."

But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when Jesus heard this, he answered, "Don't be afraid. Just believe, and she will be healed."

And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he came into the house, he did not let anyone go in except Peter, James, John, and the girl's father and mother.

And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd all wept, and mourned for her. But he said, Don't weep. She is not dead. She is sleeping.

And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.

And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he sent them all away, took her by the hand, and said, "Girl, get up."