The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

Plain English · paraphraseWho is the person who wants to live and love many days, to see what is good?

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Plain English · paraphraseStay away from evil and do good. Look for peace and work for it.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Plain English · paraphraseThe eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears listen to their prayers.

The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Plain English · paraphraseGod’s face is turned against those who do evil, to erase their memory from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Plain English · paraphraseThe righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them. He delivers them from all their troubles.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord is close to those who have broken hearts. He saves those with humble spirits.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Plain English · paraphraseThe righteous suffer many troubles, but the Lord rescues them from all of them.

He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Plain English · paraphraseHe keeps all his bones intact; not one of them is broken.

Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

Plain English · paraphraseEvil will kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous will be destroyed.

The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord rescues the lives of his servants. No one who trusts in him will be abandoned.

Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

Plain English · paraphrasePlead my cause, Lord, with those who argue against me. Fight against those who fight against me.

Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

Plain English · paraphraseTake out the spear and block the path of those who chase me. Tell my soul, "I am your salvation."

Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

Plain English · paraphraseLet them be confused and shamed who are trying to take my life. Let those who plan to harm me be turned back and disgraced.

Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.

Plain English · paraphraseLet them be like chaff in the wind. Let the angel of the Lord drive them away.

Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.

For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.

Plain English · paraphraseThey have hidden a trap for me without any reason, a pit they dug for my life without cause.

Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

Plain English · paraphraseLet destruction come to him suddenly; let the trap he set catch him, and let him fall into that very destruction.

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

Plain English · paraphraseAll my bones will say, "Lord, who is like you? You rescue the poor from the one who is stronger than they are. You rescue the poor and the needy from the one who robs them."

False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

Plain English · paraphraseFalse witnesses stood up; they accused me of things I did not know.

They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

Plain English · paraphraseI acted as if he had been my friend or brother. I bowed deeply, like someone mourning their mother.

But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

Plain English · paraphraseBut in my time of trouble, they were glad and came together. Yes, the lowly gathered against me, and I did not know it. They tore at me and did not stop.

With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

Plain English · paraphraseLord, how long will you watch? Save my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

Plain English · paraphraseI will thank you in the great crowd. I will praise you among many people.

Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

Plain English · paraphraseLet not my enemies rejoice over me wrongly; let not those who hate me without cause wink at me.

For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.

This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

Plain English · paraphraseYou have seen this, Lord. Do not be silent. Lord, do not be far from me.

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

Plain English · paraphraseGod and Lord, stir up and wake to my judgment, to my cause.

Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.

Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.

Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

Plain English · paraphraseLet them be ashamed and brought to confusion, those who rejoice at my hurt. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor, those who boast against me.

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Plain English · paraphraseLet them shout for joy and be glad who support my righteous cause. Yes, let them say continually, "Let the Lord be praised, who takes pleasure in the success of his servant."

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd my tongue will speak of your righteousness and your praise all day long.

The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

Plain English · paraphraseThe wicked person says in my heart, there is no fear of God in his eyes.

For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

Plain English · paraphraseHe flatters himself in his own eyes until his wickedness is found to be hateful.

The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.

He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

Plain English · paraphraseHe plans evil while lying on his bed; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he does not hate evil.

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

Plain English · paraphraseYour mercy, Lord, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

Plain English · paraphraseYour righteousness is like the great mountains; your judgments are a great deep. Lord, you preserve people and animals.

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

Plain English · paraphraseThey will be very satisfied with the goodness of your house, and you will give them to drink from the river of your pleasures.

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Plain English · paraphraseWith you is the source of life. In your light, we see light.

O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

Plain English · paraphraseO continue your loving kindness to those who know you; and your righteousness to those who are upright in heart.

Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

Plain English · paraphraseDo not let the foot of pride come against me, and do not let the hand of the wicked push me away.

There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

Plain English · paraphraseThe workers of evil have fallen. They are thrown down and cannot rise.

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Plain English · paraphraseFor they will soon be cut down like grass and wither like fresh green plants.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Plain English · paraphraseTrust in the LORD, and do good. Then you will live in the land, and you will certainly be fed.

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Plain English · paraphraseTake joy in the Lord, and he will give you what your heart desires.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Plain English · paraphraseGive your plans to the Lord. Trust in him. He will make it happen.

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he will bring your righteousness into the light, and your judgment into the noonday.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Plain English · paraphraseRest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. Do not be upset because of the one who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked plans.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Plain English · paraphraseEvildoers will be destroyed. Those who wait for the Lord will inherit the earth.

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the meek will inherit the earth and will take great joy in the fullness of peace.

The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

Plain English · paraphraseThe wicked plan against the good and grind their teeth at him.

The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord will laugh at him, because he knows his day is coming.

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

Plain English · paraphraseThe wicked have drawn their swords and bent their bows to bring down the poor and needy and to kill those who live uprightly.

Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

Plain English · paraphraseTheir swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord knows the days of the upright. Their inheritance will last forever.

They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the wicked will perish, and the enemies of the Lord will be like the fat of lambs. They will vanish; they will burn away like smoke.

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

Plain English · paraphraseThe wicked borrow and do not pay back. But the righteous show mercy and give.

For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

Plain English · paraphraseThose who are blessed by him will inherit the earth. Those who are cursed by him will be destroyed.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Plain English · paraphraseThe LORD arranges the steps of a good person, and he takes pleasure in how they live.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Plain English · paraphraseEven if he falls, he will not be completely knocked down. The Lord supports him with his hand.

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Plain English · paraphraseI have been young, and now I am old. Yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned, nor his children begging for food.

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Plain English · paraphraseHe is always merciful and gives generously; his descendants are blessed.

Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

Plain English · paraphraseStay away from evil and do good. Then you will live forever.

For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord loves what is right and does not abandon his faithful people. They are kept safe forever. But the children of the wicked will be destroyed.

The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

Plain English · paraphraseThe righteous will inherit the land and live there forever.

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

Plain English · paraphraseThe words of the righteous are wise, and his tongue speaks of justice.

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

Plain English · paraphraseHe has the law of his God in his heart; none of his steps will slip.

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

Plain English · paraphraseThe wicked watches the righteous and wants to kill him.

The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Plain English · paraphraseGod will not let him be destroyed by them. He will not be found guilty when he is judged.

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Plain English · paraphraseWait for the Lord, and follow his way, and he will raise you up to possess the land. When the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Plain English · paraphraseYet he passed away, and look, he was not there. I searched for him, but I could not find him.

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

Plain English · paraphraseMark the perfect man, and look at the upright, because the end of that man is peace.

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

O lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Plain English · paraphraseO Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger. Do not punish me in your fierce displeasure.

For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

Plain English · paraphraseYour arrows are stuck in me, and your hand presses me hard.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.

Plain English · paraphraseMy wounds are smelly and rotting because of my foolishness.

I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

Plain English · paraphraseI am troubled. I am greatly bowed down. I mourn all day long.

For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.

Plain English · paraphraseMy loins are full of a terrible sickness, and there is no health in my body.

I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

Plain English · paraphraseI am weak and deeply troubled. I have cried out because of the pain in my heart.

Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

Plain English · paraphraseLord, all my desires are known to you; my groaning is not hidden from you.