The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

Plain English · paraphraseBut she thought to herself, "If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed."

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Plain English · paraphraseBut Jesus turned around, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be comforted; your faith has healed you. And the woman was healed from that moment.

And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Move aside. The girl is not dead. She is only sleeping." But they laughed at him.

But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when the people were sent away, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl stood up.

And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the news of this spread throughout the whole land.

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when Jesus left that place, two blind men followed him, shouting, "Son of David, have mercy on us."

And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

Plain English · paraphraseTheir eyes were opened. Jesus strongly told them, "Make sure no one finds out."

But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when they had gone, they spread his fame throughout that whole area.

As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when the devil was cast out, the mute person spoke. And the crowds were amazed, saying, "Never have we seen anything like this in Israel."

But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the Pharisees said, He casts out demons through the prince of demons.

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus traveled through all the cities and villages, teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of sickness and disease in the people.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them because they were worn out and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Plain English · paraphraseThen he said to his disciples, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the workers are few;

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Plain English · paraphraseSo pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest.

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he had called to him his twelve disciples, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of sickness and every kind of disease.

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

Plain English · paraphrasePhilip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus, whose name was Thaddaeus;

Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Plain English · paraphraseJesus sent out these twelve and gave them orders: "Do not go along the road to the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans:

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd as you go, proclaim, saying, The kingdom of heaven is near.

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Plain English · paraphraseHeal the sick. Cleanse the lepers. Raise the dead. Drive out demons. You received freely; give freely.

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

Plain English · paraphraseDo not carry gold, silver, or bronze in your money bags.

Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Plain English · paraphraseDo not carry a bag for your journey, not two coats, not shoes, nor walking sticks. The worker is worthy of their food.

And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd whenever you enter any city or town, find out who there is worthy, and stay there until you leave.

And when ye come into an house, salute it.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when you come into a house, greet it.

And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd whoever will not welcome you or listen to your words, when you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet.

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you the truth, on judgment day it will be better for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Plain English · paraphraseI am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as clever as snakes and as innocent as doves.

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

Plain English · paraphraseBut be careful of people, because they will hand you over to the councils, and they will whip you in their synagogues;

And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd you will be brought before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks through you.

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd a brother will hand over his brother to be killed, and a father his child. And children will stand up against their parents and make them be put to death.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd you will be hated by all people because of my name. But the one who keeps going until the end will be saved.

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when they persecute you in this city, run to another. I tell you the truth: You will not have finished going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

Plain English · paraphraseA disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a servant greater than his master.

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Plain English · paraphraseIt is enough for a disciple to be like his master, and a servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those in his household?

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

Plain English · paraphraseDon't be afraid of them, then. Nothing that is covered will remain hidden, and nothing that is hidden will stay unknown.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

Plain English · paraphraseWhat I tell you in secret, speak openly. What you hear whispered, proclaim from the rooftops.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Plain English · paraphraseDo not fear those who can kill the body, for they cannot kill the soul. Fear rather the one who has power to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

Plain English · paraphraseAre not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Plain English · paraphraseBut every hair on your head is counted.

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Plain English · paraphraseSo don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever, therefore, will confess me before people, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseBut whoever denies me in front of people, I will also deny them in front of my Father in heaven.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Plain English · paraphraseDo not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd a man’s enemies will be those from his own household.

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Plain English · paraphraseIf you try to save your life, you will lose it. But if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it.

He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Whoever receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, doing so in the name of a disciple, I say to you truly that they will not lose their reward.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

Plain English · paraphraseAfter Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he left to teach and preach in their towns.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

Plain English · paraphraseWhen John heard in the prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples.

And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd said to him, Are you the one who is coming, or should we be waiting for someone else?

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered them, "Go and show John again what you hear and see."

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Plain English · paraphraseThe blind get their sight. The lame walk. The lepers are made clean. The deaf hear. The dead are brought back to life. The poor hear the good news.

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 as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Plain English · paraphraseAs they left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out to 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 that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

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

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and 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.

For 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 for you."

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has been greater than John the Baptist. Yet, the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Plain English · paraphraseFrom the time of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is being forced, and those who use force are taking it.

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if you are willing to accept it, this is Elijah, who was to come.

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Plain English · paraphraseIf anyone can hear, let them listen.

But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd saying, We have played music for you, and you did not dance; we have grieved for you, and you did not mourn.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Plain English · paraphraseThe Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, "Look, a man who is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners." But wisdom is proved right by her children.

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

Plain English · paraphraseThen he began to criticize the cities where most of his powerful deeds had been done, because they had not repented.

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd you, Capernaum, who have been lifted up to heaven, will be brought down to hell. For if the powerful things done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until now.

But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Plain English · paraphraseBut I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Plain English · paraphraseAt that time Jesus answered, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the clever, and revealed them to children."

Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Plain English · paraphraseEven so, Father: for it seemed good to you.

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Plain English · paraphraseAll things have been given to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father. No one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone the Son chooses to reveal him to.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Plain English · paraphraseCome to me, all of you who are tired and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Plain English · paraphrasePut my yoke on you, and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in heart. You will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.

Plain English · paraphraseAt that time, Jesus walked through a field of corn on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pick the ears of corn and eat them.

But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not allowed on the Sabbath day."

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

Plain English · paraphraseBut he said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him;"

How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

Plain English · paraphraseHow he went into the house of God and ate the sacred bread, which was not allowed for him to eat, nor for those with him, but only for the priests?

Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

Plain English · paraphraseOr haven't you read in the law how the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath on the Sabbath days and are still blameless?

But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

Plain English · paraphraseBut I say to you, there is one here who is greater than the temple.

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

Plain English · paraphraseBut if you had known what this means: "I want mercy, not sacrifice," you would not have condemned the innocent.

For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he left that place, he went into their synagogue:

And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd there was a man whose hand was dried up. They asked him, "Is it allowed to heal on the Sabbath?" so that they could accuse him.