The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

Plain English · paraphraseThe angel replied to the women, "Don't be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified."

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Plain English · paraphraseHe is not here. He has risen, just as he said. Come, see where the Lord was lying.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Plain English · paraphraseGo quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead. Look, he is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him. I have told you.

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they left the tomb quickly, filled with fear and great joy. They ran to tell the disciples.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Plain English · paraphraseAs they went to tell his disciples, Jesus met them and said, "All hail." They came to him, held his feet, and worshipped him.

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me."

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

Plain English · paraphraseNow as they were going, some of the guards went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened.

And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they were all gathered with the elders and had discussed it, they gave the soldiers a large amount of money.

Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Plain English · paraphraseSo they took the money and did as they were told. This saying is still commonly told among the Jews to this day.

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to a mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus came and spoke to them. He said, "All power has been given to me in heaven and on earth."

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Plain English · paraphraseTeach them to obey all the commands I have given you. And remember, I will always be with you, even until the end of the world. Amen.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Plain English · paraphraseThe beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Plain English · paraphraseAs it is written in the prophets, "Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way for you."

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Plain English · paraphraseSomeone is shouting in the wilderness, "Get ready the way of the Lord. Make his path straight."

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Plain English · paraphraseJohn baptized in the wilderness and preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd people from all over Judaea and Jerusalem went out to him, and all were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

Plain English · paraphraseJohn wore a coat of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.

And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he preached, saying, "One stronger than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandal."

I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

Plain English · paraphraseIn those days, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

Plain English · paraphraseAs soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him.

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Plain English · paraphraseA voice came from heaven, saying, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd right away, the spirit drove him into the wilderness.

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he was there in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Plain English · paraphraseAfter John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee. He preached the good news about the kingdom of God.

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers of people."

And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd at once they left their nets and followed him.

And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he had gone a little farther from there, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. They were in the boat mending their nets.

And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd at once he called to them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers, and followed him.

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they went into Capernaum. Right away, on the Sabbath day, he went into the synagogue and taught.

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Plain English · paraphraseThey were amazed by his teaching, for he spoke with authority, not like the scribes.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be quiet, and come out of him.

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they were all amazed. So much so that they asked each other, "What is this? What new teaching is this?" For he commands the unclean spirits with authority, and they obey him.

And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd right away, his fame spread throughout the whole region around Galilee.

And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd right away, when they left the synagogue, they went into the house of Simon and Andrew, along with James and John.

But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

Plain English · paraphraseBut Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a fever, and soon they told him about her.

And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Plain English · paraphraseHe came and took her hand, lifted her up. At once the fever left her, and she took care of them.

And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd in the evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed by demons.

And all the city was gathered together at the door.

And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he healed many who were sick with different diseases, and he drove out many demons. But he did not let the demons speak, because they knew who he was.

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd in the morning, he rose a long time before daylight and went out. He went to a quiet place and prayed there.

And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Simon and those with him followed him.

And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for you."

And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to them, "Let us go to the nearby towns, so that I can preach there as well. For this is why I came out."

And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd a man with leprosy came to him, begged him, and knelt before him. He said, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jesus, filled with compassion, reached out his hand and touched him. He said, "I will. Be clean."

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

Plain English · paraphraseAs soon as he spoke, the leprosy left him at once, and he was made clean.

And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he strongly commanded him and immediately sent him away;

And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd says to him, "Don't tell anything to anyone. Go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Plain English · paraphraseBut he went out and began to talk about it a lot, telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into the city but stayed in the desert places outside. And people came to him from every direction.

And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd after some days, he went back to Capernaum. It was said that he was in the house.

And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd immediately a large crowd gathered, so many that there was no room for them, not even near the door. And he preached the word to them.

And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they came to him, bringing a man who was paralyzed, carried by four people.

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they could not get close to him because of the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. After they had torn it open, they lowered the bed where the man with the palsy was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

Plain English · paraphraseBut some of the scribes were sitting there, thinking to themselves,

Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd immediately, when Jesus realized in his spirit that they were thinking these things inside themselves, he said to them, Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

Plain English · paraphraseWhich is easier to say to the paralyzed sick person: "Your sins are forgiven," or "Get up, take your mat, and walk"?

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

Plain English · paraphraseBut so you will know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he says to the paralyzed man,)

I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

Plain English · paraphraseI say to you, get up, take your mat, and go home.

And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Plain English · paraphraseAt once he stood up, picked up his mat, and walked out in front of them all. Everyone was amazed and praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

Plain English · paraphraseHe went out again by the sea. The crowd gathered around him, and he taught them.

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd as he walked along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax booth. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd it happened that as Jesus was eating in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples, because there were many people following him.

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with publicans and sinners, they said to his disciples, Why does he eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Jesus heard this, he said to them, "Those who are healthy don't need a doctor, only those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast. And they came and said to him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.

No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

Plain English · paraphraseNo one sews a piece of new cloth onto an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear gets worse.

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd no one puts new wine into old bottles. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the bottles, the wine will spill, and the bottles will be ruined. New wine must be put into new bottles.

And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

Plain English · paraphraseIt happened that he was walking through some grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples, as they walked, began to pick the heads of grain.

And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Pharisees said to him, "Why do they do on the Sabbath day what is not allowed?"

And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Have you never read about what David did when he was in need and hungry, along with those who were with him?"

How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath."

Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore, the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath as well.

And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he went back into the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand.

And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they watched him to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath day, so that they could accuse him.

And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come forward."

And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he looked around at them with anger, upset by their hard hearts, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely healed, just like the other.

And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Pharisees went out and immediately made plans with the Herodians against him, how they might kill him.

But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,

Plain English · paraphraseBut Jesus walked away with his disciples to the sea. And a large crowd from Galilee followed him, and also from Judaea.

And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan, and from around Tyre and Sidon, a large crowd came to him when they heard about the great things he was doing.

And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.

For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.