The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Which of you, if you have a sheep, and it falls into a hole on the Sabbath, would not grab it and pull it out?"

How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Plain English · paraphraseThen he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and it was completely healed, just like the other.

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the Pharisees went out and made plans against him to destroy him.

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

Plain English · paraphraseBut when Jesus found out, he left that place. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all.

And charged them that they should not make him known:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd told them not to tell anyone about him:

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

Plain English · paraphraseSo that what the prophet Isaiah said would come true, as he said:

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

Plain English · paraphraseHere is my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is pleased. I will put my spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.

He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

Plain English · paraphraseHe will not argue or shout. No one will hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd in his name the Gentiles will trust.

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

Plain English · paraphraseThen someone brought to him a man who was possessed by a demon, blind, and unable to speak. He healed him, so that the blind and mute man could both speak and see.

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd all the people were amazed. They said, "Is this not the son of David?"

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man does not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of demons."

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

Plain English · paraphraseJesus knew what they were thinking and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be destroyed. Every city or house divided against itself will not stand."

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Plain English · paraphraseBut if I drive out demons by the power of God, then the kingdom of God has arrived among you.

Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever is not with me is against me. And whoever does not gather with me scatters abroad.

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore I say to you, All kinds of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven to people. But the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven to people.

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd whoever says a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him. But whoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come.

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Plain English · paraphraseMake the tree good, and its fruit will be good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit will be corrupt. A tree is known by its fruit.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Plain English · paraphraseYou snakes, how can you, being evil, say good things? For what is full in the heart comes out of the mouth.

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Plain English · paraphraseA good person brings forth good things from the good treasure in their heart. An evil person brings forth evil things from the evil treasure in their heart.

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Plain English · paraphraseBut I say to you, that every empty word people speak, they will have to give an account for it on the day of judgment.

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Plain English · paraphraseYou will be justified by your words, and by your words you will be condemned.

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

Plain English · paraphraseThen some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Plain English · paraphraseBut he answered them and said, "An evil and unfaithful generation is looking for a sign. No sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Plain English · paraphraseJust as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

Plain English · paraphraseThe people of Nineveh will rise up in judgment with this generation and will condemn it. They repented when Jonah spoke to them. And look, someone greater than Jonah is here.

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

Plain English · paraphraseThe queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it. She came from the farthest parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And look, one greater than Solomon is here.

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen the unclean spirit leaves a man, he walks through dry places, looking for rest, but finds none.

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Plain English · paraphraseThen he says, I will go back to my house from where I came out. And when he arrives, he finds it empty, swept, and decorated.

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Plain English · paraphraseThen he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits who are more wicked than he was. They go in and live there. The final condition of that man is worse than the first. So also will it be with this wicked generation.

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

Plain English · paraphraseBut he answered the one who told him, "Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?"

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he turned to his disciples and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!"

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Plain English · paraphraseEveryone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.

The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

Plain English · paraphraseThat same day, Jesus left the house and sat by the seashore.

And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd large crowds gathered around him, so he got into a boat and sat down. The whole crowd stood along the shore.

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

Plain English · paraphraseHe spoke many things to them in parables. He said, "Look, a farmer went out to plant seeds;"

And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and ate them up:

Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

Plain English · paraphraseSome fell on rocky ground, where there was not much soil. They sprang up quickly because the soil was not deep.

And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when the sun came up, they were burned. Because they had no roots, they dried up.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Plain English · paraphraseWho has ears to hear, let that person hear.

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

Plain English · paraphraseThe disciples came to him and said, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Plain English · paraphraseFor whoever has, more will be given to them, and they will have an abundance. But whoever does not have, even what they do have will be taken away from them.

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore I speak to them in parables: because they see but do not see; they hear but do not hear, and do not understand.

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, "You will hear and not understand, and you will see and not perceive."

For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore, listen to the parable of the sower.

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen anyone hears the word of the kingdom but does not understand it, the wicked one comes and takes away what was planted in his heart. This is the one who received seed by the roadside.

But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

Plain English · paraphraseBut the one who received the seed in stony places is the one who hears the word and quickly receives it with joy.

Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Plain English · paraphraseThe one who received seed among the thorns is the one who hears the word. But the cares of this world and the false promise of wealth choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

Plain English · paraphraseAnother story he told them: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seeds in his field.

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Plain English · paraphraseBut while the men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away.

But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when the plant grew up and produced fruit, the weeds appeared as well.

So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

Plain English · paraphraseSo the servants of the householder came and said to him, Sir, you did not sow good seed in your field? Then where did the tares come from?

He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "An enemy has done this." The servants said to him, "Do you want us to go and gather them up?"

But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Plain English · paraphraseLet both grow together until the harvest. At the time of harvest, I will tell the reapers, "Gather the tares first and tie them in bundles to burn them. But gather the wheat into my barn."

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Plain English · paraphraseAnother story he told them: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. A man took it and planted it in his field."

Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Plain English · paraphraseThis is in fact the smallest of all seeds. But when it grows, it becomes the largest of all plants and turns into a tree, so that the birds of the air come and rest in its branches.

Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Plain English · paraphraseHe told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven. A woman took some and hid it in three measures of flour until the whole was leavened.

All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

Plain English · paraphraseJesus told all these things to the crowd using parables. He never spoke to them without using a parable.

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Plain English · paraphraseThis was to fulfill what the prophet said: "I will speak in parables; I will reveal things hidden since the world began."

Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

Plain English · paraphraseThen Jesus sent the crowd away and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares in the field."

He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

Plain English · paraphraseHe answered them, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man;"

The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Plain English · paraphraseSo, just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this world.

The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Plain English · paraphraseThe Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom everything that causes offense and those who do evil.

And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd will throw them into a furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Plain English · paraphraseThe kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When someone finds it, they hide it again. Then, full of joy, they sell everything they own and buy that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

Plain English · paraphraseThe kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Plain English · paraphraseWho, when he found one very valuable pearl, went and sold everything he had and bought it.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

Plain English · paraphraseThe kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered all kinds of things.

Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen it was full, they pulled it to shore. They sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

Plain English · paraphraseSo it will be at the end of the world: the angels will come out and separate the wicked from the righteous,

And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd will throw them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord."

Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Every teacher who is trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his treasure things both new and old."

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when Jesus had finished these stories, he left that place.

And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he came to his own town, he taught in their synagogue. They were amazed and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and power?"

Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Plain English · paraphraseIs this not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary? And his brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd his sisters, are they not all with us? Then where did this man get all these things?

And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

Plain English · paraphraseAt that time, Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus.

And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He has come back to life. That is why miracles are happening through him."