The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

Plain English · paraphraseThen Peter said to him, "Lord, are you speaking this parable to us, or to everyone?"

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will appoint ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?"

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Plain English · paraphraseBlessed is that servant, whom his lord when he comes will find doing this.

Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you the truth, he will make him ruler over everything he owns.

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Plain English · paraphraseBut if that servant thinks in his heart, "My master is taking a long time to come," and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink, and to get drunk;

The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Plain English · paraphraseThe master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect, at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him in two and assign him his place with the unbelievers.

And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd that servant, who knew his lord’s will, but did not prepare himself, and did not do what his lord wanted, will be beaten with many lashes.

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Plain English · paraphraseBut if someone didn't know and did things that deserve punishment, they will be punished lightly. For whoever has been given much, much will be expected from them. And from whoever has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.

I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Plain English · paraphraseI have come to bring fire to the earth; and what do I want, if it is already burning?

But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Plain English · paraphraseBut I have a baptism to go through, and I am very troubled until it is finished!

Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

Plain English · paraphraseFrom now on, there will be five people in one house divided: three against two, and two against three.

The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he also said to the people, "When you see a cloud rise up from the west, you immediately say, 'A rainstorm is coming,' and it happens."

And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.

Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd why don't you yourselves judge what is right?

When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen you go with your enemy to the magistrate, while you are on the way, be careful to get free from him. Otherwise, he may drag you before the judge, and the judge may hand you over to an officer, and the officer may throw you into prison.

I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you, you will not leave there until you have paid the last small coin.

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Plain English · paraphraseAt that time, some people came to him and told about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered them, "Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this?"

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you no. Unless you change your ways, you will all be destroyed the same way.

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you no. Unless you change your ways, you will all be destroyed the same way.

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

Plain English · paraphraseHe told this parable: A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came and looked for fruit on it, but found none.

Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

Plain English · paraphraseThen he said to the dresser of his vineyard, "Look, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, but I find none. Cut it down. Why does it take up space on the ground?"

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he answered, "Lord, let it go this year too, until I dig around it and put manure on it."

And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if it produces fruit, good. And if not, then after that you shall cut it down.

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Plain English · paraphraseHe placed his hands on her, and at once she was healed and stood straight. She praised God.

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

Plain English · paraphraseThe ruler of the synagogue answered with anger, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day. He said to the people, "There are six days in which men should work. Come and be healed on those days, and not on the Sabbath day."

The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

Plain English · paraphraseThe Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrite, doesn't each one of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water?"

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

Plain English · paraphraseHe asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What can I compare it to?"

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and cast into his garden. It grew and became a great tree, and the birds of the air made their nests in its branches.

And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd again he said, "To what should I compare the kingdom of God?"

It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is like yeast that a woman took and put into three containers of flour until all of it was leavened.

And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he traveled through the cities and villages, teaching, and making his way toward Jerusalem.

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

Plain English · paraphraseThen someone said to him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He said to them,

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Plain English · paraphraseTry to enter through the narrow gate. I tell you, many will try to enter and will not be able.

When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Plain English · paraphraseWhen the master of the house has risen and locked the door, and you begin to stand outside, knocking on the door and saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us," he will answer and say to you, "I do not know where you come from."

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Plain English · paraphraseBut he will say, "I tell you, I don't know where you come from. Go away from me, all of you who do evil."

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd look, there are those who are last who will be first, and there are those who are first who will be last.

The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

Plain English · paraphraseThat same day, some Pharisees came to him and said, "Go away and leave this place, because Herod wants to kill you."

And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Look, I cast out demons and I do cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will be completed.'"

Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Plain English · paraphraseNevertheless, I must walk today, and tomorrow, and the day after. For it cannot be that a prophet perish outside of Jerusalem.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Plain English · paraphraseLook, your house is left to you empty. I tell you truly, you will not see me again until the time comes when you say, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd it happened that as he went into the house of one of the leading Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath day, they watched him.

And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd there was a man who had dropsy, who came before him.

And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered and spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees. He said, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?"

And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they were silent. And he took him, healed him, and let him go;

And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

Plain English · paraphraseHe answered them, saying, "Which of you, if you find a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, would not immediately pull it out on the Sabbath?"

And they could not answer him again to these things.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they could not answer him about these things.

And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he told a story to those who had been invited, because he noticed how they were choosing the best seats. He said to them,

When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the one who told you and him to come and say to you, "Give this man a place," and you begin with shame to take the lowest room.

But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

Plain English · paraphraseBut when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place. Then when the one who invited you comes, he may say to you, Friend, go up higher. Then you will be honored in front of those who are eating with you.

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever raises himself up will be brought low. Whoever humbles himself will be raised up.

Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

Plain English · paraphraseBut when you give a feast, invite the poor, the injured, the crippled, the blind.

And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd you will be blessed, for they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd one of the people eating with him heard these things. He said to him, "Blessed is the one who will eat bread in the kingdom of God."

Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

Plain English · paraphraseThen he said to him, "A man held a big dinner and invited many people."

And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he sent his servant at dinner time to tell those who had been invited, "Come, because everything is now ready."

And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, "I have bought a piece of land, and I must go see it. Please excuse me."

And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

Plain English · paraphraseAnother said, "I have bought five pairs of oxen, and I go to test them. I ask you to excuse me."

And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

Plain English · paraphraseSo that servant came and told his lord what had happened. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, "Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring here the poor, the injured, the lame, and the blind."

And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you that none of the people who were invited will taste my supper.

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd large crowds followed him. He turned and said to them,

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Plain English · paraphraseIf anyone comes to me and does not hate his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd whoever does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Plain English · paraphraseWhich of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Plain English · paraphraseLest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him,

Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

Plain English · paraphraseOr else, while the other is still far away, he sends a message and asks for terms of peace.

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Plain English · paraphraseSo then, whoever you are, if you do not give up all that you have, you cannot be my follower.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

Plain English · paraphraseSalt is good. But if salt has lost its taste, how can it be made salty again?

It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is not good for the land, nor for the dunghill; men throw it out. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

Plain English · paraphraseThen all the tax collectors and sinners came near to him to listen.

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he told them this story, saying,

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Plain English · paraphraseWhich of you, if you have a hundred sheep and one is lost, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go to look for the lost one until you find it?

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he gets home, he calls together his friends and neighbors. He says to them, "Be happy with me, because I found my lost sheep."

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

Plain English · paraphraseOr which woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together. She says, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece I had lost."

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Plain English · paraphraseI say the same to you: there is joy among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

And he said, A certain man had two sons: