The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd went back from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the others.

It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

Plain English · paraphraseTheir words seemed to them like empty stories, and they did not believe them.

Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

Plain English · paraphraseThen Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bent down and saw the linen cloths lying by themselves. He went away, wondering in himself about what had happened.

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd it happened that as they talked and discussed together, Jesus himself came close and walked with them.

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

Plain English · paraphraseBut their eyes were covered so they could not recognize him.

And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "What kind of conversation are you having with each other as you walk and seem so sad?"

And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn't know what has happened there these days?"

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

Plain English · paraphraseHe asked them, "What things?" They answered, "About Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people."

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

Plain English · paraphraseBut we trusted that it had been he who would save Israel. And besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they could not find his body, they came and said they had also seen a vision of angels who said he was alive.

And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Plain English · paraphraseShouldn't Christ have suffered these things and then entered into his glory?

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

Plain English · paraphraseThey came near to the village they were going to. He acted like he wanted to go farther.

But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

Plain English · paraphraseBut they urged him, saying, "Stay with us. It is almost evening, and the day is nearly over." So he went in to stay with them.

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd it happened, as he was sitting with them, he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them.

And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he disappeared from their sight.

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they said to each other, "Was it not our hearts that burned within us while he spoke with us on the road, and while he explained the scriptures to us?"

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

Plain English · paraphraseSaying, "The Lord has risen, and he appeared to Simon."

And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they told about the things that had happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them when they broke bread.

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd as they spoke, Jesus himself stood in the middle of them and said to them, "Peace be to you."

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

Plain English · paraphraseBut they were terrified and frightened, and thought they had seen a ghost.

And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Why are you upset? Why are these thoughts coming into your minds?"

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Plain English · paraphraseLook at my hands and my feet. It is really me. Touch me and see. A spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.

And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd while they still could not believe because of joy and were amazed, he said to them, "Do you have any food here?"

And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

And he took it, and did eat before them.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he took it and ate in front of them.

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

Plain English · paraphraseThen he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd said to them, "It is written that the Christ must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day."

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And ye are witnesses of these things.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd I send the promise of my Father to you. But stay in Jerusalem until you receive power from above.

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseWhile he was blessing them, he was separated from them and taken up into heaven.

And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

Plain English · paraphraseHe was with God in the beginning.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Plain English · paraphraseAll things were made by him. And without him, nothing that was made was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the light shines in the darkness; but the darkness does not understand it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

Plain English · paraphraseThere was a man sent by God. His name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

Plain English · paraphraseHe came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all people might believe through him.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Plain English · paraphraseHe was not the Light himself, but was sent to give testimony about the Light.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Plain English · paraphraseThat was the true light, which shines on every person who comes into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

Plain English · paraphraseHe was in the world, and the world was made through him, but the world did not recognize him.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Plain English · paraphraseHe came to his own people, and his own people did not receive him.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the Word became flesh and lived among us. (And we saw his glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

Plain English · paraphraseJohn gave witness about him and cried out, "This is the one I was talking about. The one who comes after me is greater than I am, because he existed before me."

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd from his fullness we have all received, one blessing after another.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Plain English · paraphraseNo one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is close to the Father, has revealed him.

And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd this is what John recorded: when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he admitted the truth and did not deny it. He said, "I am not the Christ."

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you that prophet?" And he answered, "No."

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

Plain English · paraphraseThen they said to him, "Who are you? So we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said, "I am the voice of someone shouting in the wilderness, 'Make the Lord’s path straight,' as the prophet Isaiah said."

And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd those who were sent were from the Pharisees.

And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they asked him, saying, "Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?"

John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

Plain English · paraphraseJohn answered them, saying, "I baptize with water. But there stands one among you, whom you do not know;

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

Plain English · paraphraseHe is the one who comes after me but is greater than me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.

These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Plain English · paraphraseThese things happened in Bethabara across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Plain English · paraphraseThe next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

Plain English · paraphraseThis is the one about whom I said, "A man is coming after me who is greater than me. He existed before me."

And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd I did not recognize him. But he must be revealed to Israel, so I came to baptize with water.

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd John gave testimony, saying, "I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him."

And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd I did not know him. But the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, "On the one you see the Spirit come down and remain on, that one is the one who baptizes with the Holy Ghost."

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd I saw, and I testified that this is the Son of God.

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

Plain English · paraphraseAgain, the next day John stood there, and two of his disciples.

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

Plain English · paraphraseAnd as he watched Jesus walking, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"

And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

Plain English · paraphraseJesus turned and saw them following him. He asked them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi," which means "Teacher," "Where do you live?"

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he lived, and they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

Plain English · paraphraseHe first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah, which means the Christ."

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he brought him to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said, "You are Simon, the son of Jona. You will be called Cephas," which means "a stone."

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Plain English · paraphraseThe next day Jesus went to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."

Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Plain English · paraphrasePhilip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law and the prophets. His name is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Plain English · paraphraseNathanael said to him, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

Plain English · paraphraseJesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, "Look, a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit!"

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

Plain English · paraphraseNathanael said to him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Plain English · paraphraseNathanael answered and said to him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel."

Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered, “Because I told you I saw you under the fig tree, you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he said to him, "I tell you the truth, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man."

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd on the third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding.

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they had no wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to her, Woman, what do I have to do with you? My time has not yet come.