The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

Plain English · paraphraseThey said to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You do not know me or my Father. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also."

These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. No one arrested him, because his time had not yet come.

Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sins. Where I am going, you cannot come."

Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the Jews said, "Will he kill himself? Because he says, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.'"

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Plain English · paraphraseHe said to them, "You are from the earth; I am from heaven. You belong to this world; I do not belong to this world."

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore I told you that you will die in your sins. If you do not believe that I am the one, you will die in your sins.

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.

Plain English · paraphraseThey said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "The same one I told you from the beginning."

I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

Plain English · paraphraseI have many things to say and to judge about you. But the one who sent me is true, and I speak to the world the things I have heard from him.

They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

Plain English · paraphraseThey did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father.

Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one, and that I do nothing on my own. I speak these things as my Father has taught me."

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the one who sent me is with me. The Father has not left me alone, because I always do the things that please him.

As he spake these words, many believed on him.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Plain English · paraphraseThen Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, "If you stay with my teaching, then you are truly my disciples."

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

Plain English · paraphraseThey answered him, "We are Abraham’s descendants, and we were never in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?"

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered them, “I tell you the truth, whoever commits sin is a slave to sin.”

And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the servant does not stay in the house forever, but the Son stays forever.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Plain English · paraphraseIf the Son sets you free, then you will be truly free.

I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

Plain English · paraphraseI know that you are Abraham’s children. But you are trying to kill me because my message has no place in you.

I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

Plain English · paraphraseI speak about what I have seen with my Father. You do what you have seen with your father.

They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

Plain English · paraphraseThey answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham."

But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

Plain English · paraphraseBut now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I received from God. Abraham did not do this.

Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

Plain English · paraphraseYou do the deeds of your father. Then they said to him, We are not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me. I came from God. I did not come on my own. He sent me."

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

Plain English · paraphraseWhy don’t you understand my speech? It is because you cannot hear my word.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Plain English · paraphraseYou are children of your father the devil, and you will do what your father wants. He has been a murderer from the beginning and has never stayed with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells lies, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the source of lies.

And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me.

Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

Plain English · paraphraseWho can show me that I am guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why don't you believe me?

He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Plain English · paraphraseWhoever belongs to God listens to God’s words. You do not listen to them because you do not belong to God.

Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

Plain English · paraphraseThen the Jews answered and said to him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?"

Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered, "I do not have a demon; I honor my Father, and you dishonor me."

And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

Plain English · paraphraseI do not seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Plain English · paraphraseTruly, truly, I say to you, If a man keeps my word, he will never see death.

Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are too. Yet you say, 'If a man keeps my word, he will never taste death.'"

Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

Plain English · paraphraseBut you do not know him. I do know him. If I said I did not know him, I would be lying like you. I know him and keep his words.

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Plain English · paraphraseYour father Abraham was happy to see my day. He saw it and was glad.

Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

Plain English · paraphraseThe Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old. How could you have seen Abraham?"

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I already was."

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Plain English · paraphraseThen they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus hid himself and left the temple, walking through the middle of them and passing by.

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

Plain English · paraphraseAs Jesus was passing by, he saw a man who had been blind since birth.

And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered, "This man did not sin, and neither did his parents. This happened so that the works of God might be shown clearly through him."

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Plain English · paraphraseI must do the works of the one who sent me while there is still daylight. Night is coming, when no one can work.

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

Plain English · paraphraseWhen he had said this, he spat on the ground, made clay from the spit, and put the clay on the blind man's eyes.

And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

Plain English · paraphraseHe went to the pool of Siloam, which means "Sent," and washed there. Then he came back with his sight.

The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

Plain English · paraphraseThe neighbors and those who had previously seen that he was blind said, "Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?"

Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore they said to him, "How were your eyes opened?"

He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

Plain English · paraphraseHe answered and said, "A man named Jesus made clay, put it on my eyes, and told me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed, and I got my sight back."

Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

Plain English · paraphraseThey asked him, "Where is he?" He said, "I don't know."

They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.

Plain English · paraphraseThey brought the man who had been blind to the Pharisees.

And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the Pharisees asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see."

Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

Plain English · paraphraseSome of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath day." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such miracles?" And there was a division among them.

They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

Plain English · paraphraseThey asked the blind man again, "What do you say about him? He opened your eyes." He said, "He is a prophet."

But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the Jews did not believe about him that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the one who had received his sight.

And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they asked them, saying, "Is this your son, who you said was born blind? How then does he now see?"

His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.

These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

Plain English · paraphraseThese words were spoken by his parents, because they feared the Jews. For the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed that he was the Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore his parents said, "He is an adult; ask him."

Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

Plain English · paraphraseThen they called the man who was blind again and said to him, "Give praise to God. We know this man is a sinner."

He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

Plain English · paraphraseHe answered, "I don’t know whether he is a sinner or not. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see."

Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

Plain English · paraphraseThen they said to him again, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"

He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

Plain English · paraphraseHe answered them, "I have already told you, and you did not listen. Why would you want to hear it again? Will you also become his disciples?"

Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.

Plain English · paraphraseThen they insulted him and said, "You are his follower, but we are followers of Moses."

We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Plain English · paraphraseWe know that God does not listen to sinners. But if anyone is a worshipper of God and does his will, God listens to that person.

Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.

Plain English · paraphraseSince the world began, it was never heard that anyone opened the eyes of someone who was born blind.

If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

Plain English · paraphraseThey answered and said to him, "You were born completely in sin, and do you teach us?" And they threw him out.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

Plain English · paraphraseJesus heard that they had driven him out. When he found him, he asked, "Do you believe in the Son of God?"

He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking with you."

And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jesus said, I have come into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.

And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

Plain English · paraphraseSome of the Pharisees who were with him heard these words. They said to him, "Are we blind too?"

Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, 'We see.' Therefore, your sin remains."

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Plain English · paraphraseTruly, truly, I say to you, the one who does not enter through the door of the sheepfold, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Plain English · paraphraseThe one who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

Plain English · paraphraseTo him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen he leads out his own sheep, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they will not follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them again, "I tell you the truth, I am the door for the sheep."

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

Plain English · paraphraseAll who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Plain English · paraphraseI am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Plain English · paraphraseBut the hired worker, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. The wolf attacks them and scatters the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Plain English · paraphraseI am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and they know me.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Plain English · paraphraseJust as the Father knows me, I also know the Father. And I give up my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd I have other sheep that are not in this fold. I must bring them too, and they will hear my voice. Then there will be one fold and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Plain English · paraphraseTherefore, my Father loves me because I give up my life so that I can take it up again.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Plain English · paraphraseNo one takes it from me, but I give it up on my own. I have the power to give it up, and I have the power to take it back. This command I received from my Father.