The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

Plain English · paraphraseThe younger of the two said to his father, "Father, give me the share of your property that is coming to me." And the father divided his wealth between them.

And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, where he wasted his money on wild living.

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he had spent it all, a great famine came to that land, and he began to suffer from lack.

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country. The citizen sent him to his fields to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he would have liked to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, but no one gave anything to him.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

Plain English · paraphraseI will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and against you,"

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Plain English · paraphraseHe stood up and went to his father. But while he was still far away, his father saw him and felt pity. He ran to him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Plain English · paraphraseThe son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

Plain English · paraphraseBring the fattened calf here and kill it. Let us eat and be happy.

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Plain English · paraphraseMy son was dead, and now he is alive again. He was lost, and now he is found. They began to be happy.

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

Plain English · paraphraseNow the older son was in the field. As he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to him, "Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him safe and sound."

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he answered his father, "Look, for many years I have served you, and I have never broken your commands. And yet you have never given me a kid to have a feast with my friends."

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

Plain English · paraphraseBut as soon as this your son came, who had wasted your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf.

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours."

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Plain English · paraphraseIt was right that we should celebrate and be happy, for your brother was dead and now is alive again; he was lost and now is found.

And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he also said to his disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager. Someone accused the manager of wasting his master's property."

And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he called him and said, "Why have I heard this about you? Give an account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be steward."

Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the steward said to himself, "What should I do? My master is taking the stewardship away from me. I can't dig. I'm ashamed to beg."

I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

Plain English · paraphraseSo he called each of his lord’s debtors to him and said to the first, "How much do you owe my lord?"

And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

Plain English · paraphraseThen he said to another, "How much do you owe?" He answered, "A hundred measures of wheat." He said to him, "Take your bill and write eighty."

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Lord praised the dishonest manager because he had acted wisely. For the people of this world, in their time, are wiser than the people of light.

And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd I say to you, make for yourselves friends with the money of dishonesty, so that when you fail, they may welcome you into eternal homes.

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Plain English · paraphraseIf someone is faithful in small things, they will be faithful in big things too. And if someone is unjust in small things, they will be unjust in big things too.

If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Plain English · paraphraseIf you have not been faithful with unrighteous wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if you have not been faithful in what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Pharisees, who were greedy, heard all these things. They mocked him.

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "You are the ones who make yourselves look good to people. But God knows what's in your hearts. What people praise highly is disgusting to God."

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

Plain English · paraphraseIt is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for even the smallest part of the law to fail.

Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. And whoever marries a woman who has been divorced by her husband commits adultery.

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Plain English · paraphraseThere was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who ate sumptuously every day.

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

Plain English · paraphraseAnd there was a poor man named Lazarus who lay at his gate, covered in sores.

And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Plain English · paraphraseThe beggar died and the angels took him to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Plain English · paraphraseBut Abraham said, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus received evil things. But now he is comforted, and you are tormented."

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that those who want to go from here to you cannot; and those who want to come from there to us cannot either.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

Plain English · paraphraseThen he said, "I ask you, Father, that you send him to my father’s house:"

For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Plain English · paraphraseI have five brothers. He should warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment too.

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Plain English · paraphraseAbraham said to him, "They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them."

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to him, If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead.

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to his disciples, "Offenses are bound to happen. But how sad for the one through whom they come!"

It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Plain English · paraphraseIt would be better for him if a millstone were tied around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Plain English · paraphraseBe careful. If your brother sins against you, tell him about it. If he is sorry, forgive him.

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, "I repent," you must forgive him.

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Lord said, If you had faith as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, Be pulled up by the root and planted in the sea; and it would obey you.

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd will not rather say to him, "Prepare what I need to eat, dress properly, and serve me until I have finished eating and drinking. After that, you may eat and drink?"

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

Plain English · paraphraseDoes he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I don't think so.

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd as he was going to Jerusalem, he went through the middle of Samaria and Galilee.

And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd as he went into a certain village, ten men with leprosy came to meet him. They stood at a distance.

And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they raised their voices and said, "Jesus, teacher, have mercy on us."

And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he saw them, he said to them, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And it happened that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered, "Were there not ten who were healed? But where are the other nine?"

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

Plain English · paraphraseNo one else has returned to give glory to God, only this stranger.

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to him, Get up, go on your way: your faith has healed you.

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God does not come with observation:

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to the disciples, "The days will come when you will want to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see it."

And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they will say to you, "Look here, or look there." Do not go after them, and do not follow them.

For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

Plain English · paraphraseFor as lightning flashes from one part of the sky to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.

But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

Plain English · paraphraseBut first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

Plain English · paraphraseLikewise, it was the same in the days of Lot. They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built.

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

Plain English · paraphraseBut on the same day that Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Plain English · paraphraseIt will be the same on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

Plain English · paraphraseOn that day, if someone is on the roof and has belongings in the house, they must not go down to get them. And if someone is in the field, they must not turn back either.

Remember Lot’s wife.

Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever tries to save his life will lose it. Whoever loses his life will keep it.

I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Plain English · paraphraseTwo women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken, and the other will be left.

Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Plain English · paraphraseTwo men will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other will be left.

And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

Plain English · paraphraseThey answered, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Wherever the body is, that is where the eagles will gather."

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Plain English · paraphraseHe told them a story to show that people should always pray and not give up.

Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

Plain English · paraphraseSaying, "There was in a city a judge who feared no God and had no regard for people:"

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd there was a widow in that city. She came to him and said, "Avenge me against my enemy."

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he would not for a while. But afterward he said to himself, "Though I fear no God, and do not respect people;"

Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says.

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd will God not avenge his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, even though he is patient with them?

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Plain English · paraphraseI tell you that he will quickly avenge them. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Plain English · paraphraseHe told this story to some people who trusted in themselves and thought they were righteous, while looking down on others:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.