The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

Plain English · paraphraseWhy did you run away secretly and leave without telling me? I would have sent you away with joy, with music, with tambourines and harps.

And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd you have not allowed me to kiss my sons and my daughters? You have now done foolishly by doing this.

It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Plain English · paraphraseI have the power to harm you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, "Be careful not to speak to Jacob either good or bad."

And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd now, though you must go, because you long greatly for your father’s house, why have you stolen my gods?

And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.

Plain English · paraphraseJacob answered Laban, "I was afraid. I thought you might take your daughters from me by force."

With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.

Plain English · paraphraseLaban went into Jacob’s tent. He went into Leah’s tent. He went into the two maidservants’ tents. But he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent. He entered Rachel’s tent.

Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.

Plain English · paraphraseRachel had taken the household gods and hidden them in the camel's saddle, then sat on top of them. Laban searched the whole tent but could not find them.

And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched but found not the images.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd she said to her father, Let it not upset you that I cannot stand up for you; for women are having their monthly period. And he searched but did not find the images.

And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?

Plain English · paraphraseJacob was angry and argued with Laban. Jacob replied to Laban, “What is my crime? What is my sin that you have chased me so fiercely?”

Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.

Plain English · paraphraseSince you have searched through all my belongings, what have you found of any of your household's property? Bring it here, in front of my brothers and your brothers, so they can judge between us.

This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.

Plain English · paraphraseFor twenty years I have been with you. Your female sheep and goats did not lose their young. I did not eat any of your male rams.

That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.

Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.

Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

Plain English · paraphraseI have been in your house for twenty years. For fourteen years, I served you for your two daughters, and for six years, I took care of your cattle. And you have changed my wages ten times.

Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

Plain English · paraphraseIf it were not for the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed now. God has seen my suffering and the work of my hands, and he rebuked you last night.

And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?

Plain English · paraphraseLaban answered Jacob, “These daughters are my daughters, these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle. Everything you see belongs to me. What can I do today for my daughters or for the children they have had?”

Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

Plain English · paraphraseCome now, let us make a covenant, I and you. Let it be a witness between me and you.

And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.

And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jacob said to his brothers, Gather stones. And they took stones and made a pile. And they ate there on the pile.

And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.

And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and you today. That is why its name was called Galeed;

And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and you, when we are apart from each other.

If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.

Plain English · paraphraseIf you mistreat my daughters or marry other women in addition to my daughters, no one is with us. God is the witness between me and you.

And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Laban said to Jacob, "Look at this heap, and look at this pillar, which I have placed between me and you:

This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.

The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.

Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

Plain English · paraphraseThen Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and called his brothers to eat bread. They ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.

And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Plain English · paraphraseEarly in the morning, Laban got up, kissed his sons and daughters, and blessed them. Then Laban left and went back to his place.

And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

Plain English · paraphraseJacob kept going on his journey, and the angels of God met him.

And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

Plain English · paraphraseJacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau, to the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he gave them orders, saying, "Say this to my master Esau: Your servant Jacob says, I have lived with Laban and stayed there until now:"

And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent word to my lord so that I may find favor in your eyes.

And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the messengers returned to Jacob. They said, "We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you. He has four hundred men with him."

Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;

Plain English · paraphraseThen Jacob was very afraid and upset. He divided the people with him, along with the flocks, herds, and camels, into two groups.

And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd said, "If Esau comes to one group and attacks it, then the other group that remains will escape."

And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, LORD who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you':

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

Plain English · paraphraseI am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and the truth you have shown to your servant. I crossed this Jordan with only my staff, and now I have become two bands.

Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.

Plain English · paraphraseDeliver me, I pray you, from my brother's hand, from Esau's hand. I fear him, because he may come and strike me, and the mother with the children.

And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd you said, "I will certainly do good to you and make your descendants as numerous as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because there is so much of it."

And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he stayed there that same night. He took some of what he had with him and made a present for Esau his brother;

Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,

Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.

Plain English · paraphraseThirty milking camels and their young, forty cows, ten oxen, twenty female donkeys, and ten donkey foals.

And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he handed them over to his servants, each group separately. He told his servants, "Go ahead of me and make space between each group."

And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he commanded the foremost, saying, "When Esau my brother meets you, and asks you, 'Whose are you?' and 'Where are you going?' and 'Whose are these people with you?'"

Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob’s; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.

Plain English · paraphraseThen you will say, They belong to your servant Jacob; it is a gift sent to my lord Esau. And look, he is also coming behind us.

And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he commanded the second, and the third, and all who followed the group, saying, "Speak to Esau in this way when you meet him."

And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd say also, "Look, your servant Jacob is behind us." For he said, "I will please him with the gift that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me."

So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.

Plain English · paraphraseSo the offering was presented before him, and he stayed that night with the company.

And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he rose up that night and took his two wives, his two servant-women, and his eleven sons and crossed over the ford Jabbok.

And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he took them and sent them across the brook, and sent across all that he had.

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jacob was left alone. A man wrestled with him until dawn.

And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen he saw that he could not overcome him, he touched the hollow of his thigh. The hollow of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated as he wrestled with him.

And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." He replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

Plain English · paraphraseHe asked him, "What is your name?" He answered, "Jacob."

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said, Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel. You have power like a prince with God and with men, and you have prevailed.

And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

Plain English · paraphraseJacob asked him and said, "Tell me, please, your name." He replied, "Why are you asking for my name?" And he blessed him there.

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, for he had seen God face to face, and his life was preserved.

And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore, the children of Israel do not eat the sinew that shrinks, which is on the hollow of the thigh, to this day, because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.

And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.

Plain English · paraphraseJacob looked up and saw Esau coming with four hundred men. He separated the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maids.

And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he put the handmaids and their children in front, and Leah and her children after them, and Rachel and Joseph at the back.

And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he lifted up his eyes and saw the women and the children. He asked, "Who are those with you?" And he replied, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.

And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Leah also came with her children, and they bowed down. Then Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed themselves.

And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.

And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Esau said, I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.

And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.

Plain English · paraphrasePlease take my blessing that is given to you. God has been kind to me, and I have more than enough. He kept urging him, and he accepted it.

And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said, Let us begin our journey, and let us go. I will go ahead of you.

And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to him, "My lord knows that the children are young, and the flocks and herds are nursing. If men push them too hard for even one day, the whole flock will die."

Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.

Plain English · paraphraseLet my lord pass over before his servant. I will go slowly, as the cattle and children with me can manage, until I come to my lord in Seir.

And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord.

Plain English · paraphraseEsau said, "Let me now leave with you some of the people with me." He replied, "What need is there for that? Let me find favor in your eyes."

So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.

Plain English · paraphraseSo Esau went back that day on his way to Seir.

And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jacob traveled to Succoth. He built a house for himself and made shelters for his animals. That is why the place is called Succoth.

And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.

Plain English · paraphraseJacob arrived at Shalem, a city in Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan. This was after he had come from Padanaram. He set up his tent outside the city.

And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money.

Plain English · paraphraseHe bought a piece of land where he had set up his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of money.

And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he built an altar there and named it EleloheIsrael.

And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.

And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.

Plain English · paraphraseHis soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young woman and spoke gently to her.

And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, Get this girl for me as a wife.

And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.

And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.

And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter: which thing ought not to be done.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it. The men were upset and very angry, because he had done a foolish thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter, which thing ought not to be done.

And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Hamor spoke to them, saying, My son Shechem's heart desires your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.

And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.

And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd you shall live with us. The land will be open to you. Live there and trade in it. Gain possessions there.

And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Shechem said to his father and to his brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes. Whatever you say to me, I will give."

Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.

And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:

And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they said to them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised; for that would be a reproach to us:

But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;

Plain English · paraphraseBut we agree with you in this: If you will be like us, then every male among you must be circumcised;

Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.

But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.

Plain English · paraphraseBut if you will not listen to us to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.

And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor’s son.

And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob’s daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.