I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Book of Jesus Christ's Origins
1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
1This is the record of the family line of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham.
The Genealogy from Abraham to Jesus
2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
2Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
3And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
3Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar; Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
4And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
4Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon.
5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
5Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab; Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth; and Obed was the father of Jesse.
6And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
6Jesse was the father of King David, and David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife.
7And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
7Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.
8And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
8Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.
9And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
9Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
10And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
10Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah.
11And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
11Josiah was the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, around the time the people were carried into exile in Babylon.
12And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
12After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel.
13And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
13Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor.
14And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
14Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, and Akim the father of Eliud.
15And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
15Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob.
16And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
16Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and it was from Mary that Jesus, who is called the Messiah, was born.
17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
17So there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile in Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.
Joseph Learns of the Virgin Conception
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
18This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together as husband and wife, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
19Joseph, the man she was pledged to, was a good and fair man. Not wanting to disgrace her publicly, he decided to break off the engagement quietly.
20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
20But while he was thinking this over, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, descendant of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she is carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
21She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Immanuel, God With Us
22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
22All this happened to fulfill what the Lord had said long before through the prophet:
23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
23"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" — a name that means "God with us."
24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
25But he had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to her son. And he named him Jesus.
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Wise Men Seek the King
1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem
2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
3When King Herod heard this he was deeply disturbed, and so was all of Jerusalem with him.
4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
4So he called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law and asked them where the Messiah was to be born.
5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet wrote:
6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
6'But you, Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
Herod's Scheme and the Magi's Gifts
7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
7Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report back to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by a different route.
The Escape to Egypt
13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."
14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and left for Egypt,
15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
15where he stayed until Herod's death. This fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Herod Kills the Children of Bethlehem
16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
16When Herod realized that the wise men had outwitted him, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its surrounding area who were two years old and under, based on the time he had learned from the wise men.
17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
18"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
Return to Nazareth
19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
20and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to kill the child are dead."
21And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
21So he got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
22But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
22But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee instead,
23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
23and settled in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: that he would be called a Nazarene.
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.
2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
2His message was, "Turn back to God, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
3This is the one the prophet Isaiah spoke about: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for him.'"
4And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
5People went out to him from Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan.
6And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
Warning to the Religious Leaders
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, "You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee from the coming judgment?
8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
8Prove that you have truly changed by the way you live.
9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9And don't think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
11I baptize you with water as a sign of repentance. But after me comes one more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with a fire that never goes out."
The Baptism of Jesus
13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
14But John tried to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?"
15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
15Jesus replied, "Let it be this way for now; it is fitting for us to do everything God requires." Then John agreed.
16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on him.
17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The First Temptation: Bread
1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'People do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
The Second Temptation: The Temple
5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
The Third Temptation: The Kingdoms
8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended to him.
Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee
12Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.
13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali.
14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
14This fulfilled what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles —
16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
16the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
17From then on Jesus began to preach, "Turn back to God, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Calling the First Disciples
18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of people."
20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
20At once they left their nets and followed him.
21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and Jesus called them.
22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
22Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Teaching, Preaching, and Healing
23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of sickness and disease among the people.
24And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed — and he healed them.
25And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
25Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the region across the Jordan.
V
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Sermon on the Mount Begins
1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
2and he began to teach them, saying:
The Beatitudes
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
3"Blessed are those who recognize their need for God, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
4Blessed are those who grieve, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
5Blessed are the gentle and humble, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst to see things made right, for they will be satisfied.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
8Blessed are those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
9Blessed are those who make peace, for they will be called children of God.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what is right, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who came before you.
Salt and Light
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
13You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
14You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Jesus Fulfills the Law
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
17Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
18Truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter or stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
19Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Anger and Reconciliation
21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
21You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'
22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister without cause will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca' (a word of contempt), is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that someone has something against you,
24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
25Settle matters quickly with your accuser who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
26Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Lust and Adultery
27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
27You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'
28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
28But I tell you that anyone who looks at another person lustfully has already committed adultery with them in his heart.
29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
29If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Vivid hyperbole, urging people to take sin seriously.)
Teaching on Divorce
31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
31It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'
32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual unfaithfulness, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths and Honest Speech
33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
33Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.'
34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
34But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;
35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
37All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Turning the Other Cheek
38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
38You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'
39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
39But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
40And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
41If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love Your Enemies
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
43You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
44But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
46If you love only those who love you, what reward will you get? Aren't even the tax collectors doing that?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Don't even the outsiders do that?
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
VI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Giving Without Show
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
1Be careful not to do your good deeds in front of others just to be admired by them; if you do, you will get no reward from your Father in heaven.
2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
2So when you give to the needy, don't announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets to be honored by people. Truly I tell you, they have already received their reward in full.
3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
4so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Praying in Secret
5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
5And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
7And when you pray, do not keep babbling empty phrases like those who don't know God, who think they will be heard because of their many words.
8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
The Lord's Prayer
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
9This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored as holy.
10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
10May your kingdom come, may your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
11Give us today the food we need for the day.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
12And forgive us our wrongs, as we also forgive those who have wronged us.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
13And do not let us fall into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
Forgiving Others
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
14For if you forgive others when they wrong you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
15But if you do not forgive others their wrongs, your Father will not forgive your wrongs.
Fasting in Secret
16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
16When you fast, do not look gloomy as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance to show people they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
18so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Treasure in Heaven
19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
19Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
A Single Eye and Two Masters
22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
22The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24No man 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.
24No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Do Not Worry
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
25So I tell you, do not worry about your life — what you will eat or drink — or about your body — what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
26Look at the birds of the air: they neither plant nor harvest nor store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
27And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
28And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the wild lilies grow: they neither labor nor spin thread.
29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith?
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
31So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?"
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
33But seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
34So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
VII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Judging Others
1Judge not, that ye be not judged.
1Do not judge others, or you too will be judged.
2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
3Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in someone else's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
4How can you say to them, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when all the time there is a plank in your own?
5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from the other person's eye.
Pearls Before Swine
6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
6Do not give what is sacred to dogs; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them underfoot, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
Ask, Seek, Knock
7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
8For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
9Which of you, if your child asks for bread, will give them a stone?
10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
10Or if they ask for a fish, will give them a snake?
11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
11If you, then, though you are flawed, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
The Golden Rule
12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The Narrow Gate
13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
13Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Known by Their Fruits
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
15Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are vicious wolves.
16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
16You will recognize them by their fruit. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
17In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
20So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.
Not Everyone Who Says Lord, Lord
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
21Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
22Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and perform many miracles in your name?"
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
23Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you who do evil."
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
24Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.
25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
25The rain came down, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on rock.
26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
27The rain came down, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
The Crowds Are Amazed
28And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,
29For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
VIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
1When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
1When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.
2And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
2A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
3And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
4And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
4Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
The Centurion's Faith
5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
5When Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman centurion came to him, pleading with him,
6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
6"Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
7Jesus said to him, "Shall I come and heal him?"
8The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
8The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one, 'Go,' and he goes; another, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
10When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
11And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
12But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
12But those who thought they belonged to the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."
13And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
13Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
Healings at Peter's House
14And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.
14When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.
15And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
15He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
16When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
17This fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."
The Cost of Following Jesus
18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
18When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.
19And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."
20And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
20Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
21And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
21Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
22But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
22But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
Jesus Calms the Storm
23And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.
24And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
24Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
25And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
27The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
Two Demon-Possessed Men Healed
28And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
28When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.
29And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
29"What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?"
30And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
30Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.
31So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
31The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."
32And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
32He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
33And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
33Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town, and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
34And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
34Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
IX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Paralyzed Man Forgiven and Healed
1And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
1Jesus got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own town.
2And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
2Some men brought to him a paralyzed man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
3And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
3At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
4And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts in your hearts?
5For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
5Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
6But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" — then he said to the paralyzed man — "Get up, take your mat, and go home."
7And he arose, and departed to his house.
7And the man got up and went home.
8But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe and praised God, who had given such authority to human beings.
The Calling of Matthew
9And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.
11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
A Question About Fasting
14Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
14Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?"
15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
15Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
16No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.
17Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
17Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins burst, the wine runs out, and the wineskins are ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
A Ruler's Daughter and a Suffering Woman
18While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
18While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live."
19And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
19Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
20Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.
21For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
21She thought to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
22Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed at that moment.
23And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
23When Jesus entered the synagogue leader's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd,
24He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
24he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him.
25But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
25After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
26And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
26News of this spread through all that region.
Two Blind Men Receive Sight
27And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
28And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
28When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied.
29Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
29Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you";
30And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
30and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this."
31But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
31But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
A Mute Man Set Free
32As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
32While they were going out, a man who was unable to speak and was demon-possessed was brought to Jesus.
33And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
33And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
34But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
34But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."
Compassion for the Crowds
35And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.
36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
X
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Twelve Apostles
1And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
1Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority over impure spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.
2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John;
3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus;
4Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
4Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him.
Instructions for the Mission
5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
7As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'
8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
9Do not take any gold, silver, or copper to carry in your belts —
10Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
10no bag for the journey, no extra shirt, no sandals or staff, for the worker is worth his keep.
11And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
11Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at their house until you leave.
12And when ye come into an house, salute it.
12As you enter the home, greet its household.
13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
13If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
15Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Persecution Foretold
16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
16I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
17Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues.
18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
18On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
22You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
23But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
23When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Whom to Fear
24The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
24The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.
25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
25It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul (a name for the devil), how much more the members of his household!
26Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
26So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
27What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the rooftops.
28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be in awe of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.
30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
32Whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
33But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
Not Peace but a Sword
34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
34Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
35For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law —
36And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
36a person's enemies will be the members of his own household.
37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
37Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
38Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
39Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Receiving Christ's Messengers
40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
40Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
41He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
41Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.
42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward."
XI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
John's Question from Prison
1And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
1After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
2When John, who was in prison, heard about the things the Messiah was doing, he sent his disciples
3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
3to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"
4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
4Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
5the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
6Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."
Jesus Speaks About John
7And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
7As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
8If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.
9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
10This is the one about whom it is written: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
11Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people lay hold of it.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
15Whoever has ears, let them hear.
An Unresponsive Generation
16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
16To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
17'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
Woes on Unrepentant Cities
20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
20Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
21"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
23And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to the depths. For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
24But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
24But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Rest for the Weary
25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.
26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
26Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
27All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
28Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
XII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Lord of the Sabbath
1At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.
2But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."
3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
3He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
4How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.
5Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
5Or haven't you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?
6But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
6I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.
7But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
7If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
8For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
Healing a Withered Hand
9And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
9Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue,
10And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
10and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
11And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
11He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?
12How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
12How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
13Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
13Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.
14Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
God's Chosen Servant
15But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
15Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill,
16And charged them that they should not make him known:
16warning them not to tell others about him.
17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
18"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
19He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
20A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.
21And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
21In his name the nations will put their hope."
A House Divided
22Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
22Then they brought him a man who was demon-possessed and could neither see nor speak, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both speak and see.
23And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
23All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
24But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."
25And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
25Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
26And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
27And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
29Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
30Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Blasphemy and the Fruit of Words
31Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
31So I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
33Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
34You brood of snakes, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
35A good person brings good things out of the good stored up in them, and an evil person brings evil things out of the evil stored up in them.
36But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
36But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
The Sign of Jonah
38Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
38Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."
39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
39He answered, "A wicked and unfaithful generation asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
41The people of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.
42The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
42The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.
The Return of the Unclean Spirit
43When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
43When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
44Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
45Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."
Jesus' True Family
46While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
46While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.
47Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
47Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."
48But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
48He replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"
49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
49Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.
50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
XIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Parable of the Sower
1The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.
2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.
3And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.
4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.
9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
9Whoever has ears, let them hear."
Why Jesus Speaks in Parables
10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
10The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
11He replied, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
12Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
13Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
13This is why I speak to them in parables: though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
15For this people's heart has grown calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.'
16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
17For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
17For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
The Sower Explained
18Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
18Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:
19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
20The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
21But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
22The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
23But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
23But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown."
The Wheat and the Tares
24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
24Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
27The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
28'An enemy did this,' he replied. The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
29'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.
30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
Mustard Seed and Leaven
31Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
31He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.
32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
32Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches."
33Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
33He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."
34All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
34Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.
35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
35So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."
The Tares Explained
36Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
36Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
37He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.
38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
38The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,
39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
39and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
40As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.
41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
42They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
44The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The Net and the Householder
47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
47Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
48When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
49This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
50and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
51Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
51"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied.
52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
52He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."
Rejected at Nazareth
53And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
53When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.
54And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked.
55Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
55"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
56And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
56Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"
57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home."
58And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
58And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
XIV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Death of John the Baptist
1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,
2And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
2and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him."
3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
3Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,
4For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
4for John had been saying to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."
5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
5Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
6But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
6On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much
7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
7that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
8And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
8Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
9And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
9The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted
10And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
10and had John beheaded in the prison.
11And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
12And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
12John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Feeding the Five Thousand
13When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
13When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
16But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
16Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
17"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
18He said, Bring them hither to me.
18"Bring them here to me," he said.
19And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover pieces.
21And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus Walks on the Water
22And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,
24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
24and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
25Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
27But Jesus immediately said to them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.
30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Healings at Gennesaret
34And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
35And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him
36And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
36and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
XV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Tradition Versus God's Command
1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
1Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
2"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"
3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
3Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
4For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.'
5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
5But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is 'a gift devoted to God,'
6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
6they are not to honor their father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
8'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
9They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.'"
What Truly Defiles a Person
10And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
10Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand.
11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
11What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them."
12Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
12Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?"
13But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
13He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
14Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."
15Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
15Peter said, "Explain the parable to us."
16And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
16"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them.
17Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
17"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?
18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
18But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
19For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
20These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them."
The Canaanite Woman's Faith
21Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
21Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
22A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
23Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."
24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
24He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
25Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
25The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
26But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
26He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs."
27And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
27"Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table."
28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
28Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Healing Crowds by the Sea
29And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
29Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down.
30And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:
30Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the disabled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.
31Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
31The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the disabled made well, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Feeding the Four Thousand
32Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
32Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
33And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
33His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
34And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
34"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
35And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
35He told the crowd to sit down on the ground.
36And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
36Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.
37And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
37They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
38And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
38The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children.
39And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
39After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
XVI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Demand for a Sign
1The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
1The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
2He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
2He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,'
3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
3and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
4A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.
The Leaven of the Pharisees
5And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
5When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.
6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
6"Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
7And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
7They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."
8Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
8Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
9Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
9Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
10Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
11How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
11How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
12Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
12Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Peter's Confession at Caesarea Philippi
13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of death will not overcome it.
19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
20Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Jesus Foretells His Death
21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
Taking Up the Cross
24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
25For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
26What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
27For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
28Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
XVII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Transfiguration
1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
1After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
2There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
3Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
4Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
6When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.
7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
7But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid."
8And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
8When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Elijah Has Already Come
9And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
10And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
10The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?"
11And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
11Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.
12But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
12But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."
13Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
13Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
Healing a Demon-Possessed Boy
14And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
14When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
15Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
15"Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.
16And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
16I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."
17Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
17"You unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."
18And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
19Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
19Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
21Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
21(Some manuscripts add: "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.")
Second Prediction of Death
22And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
22When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.
23And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
23They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.
The Temple Tax
24And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
24After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"
25He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
25"Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?"
26Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
26"From others," Peter answered. "Then the children are exempt," Jesus said to him.
27Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
27"But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."
XVIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Greatness and Childlike Humility
1At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
2He called a little child to him and placed the child among them.
3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
3And he said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
4Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
5And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Causing Others to Stumble
6But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
6If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
7Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!
8Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
8If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.
9And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
9And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
The Lost Sheep
10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
10See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
11(Some manuscripts add: "For the Son of Man came to save what was lost.")
12How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
12What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?
13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.
14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Correcting a Brother
15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
15If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
16But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
17If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would an outsider.
18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
19Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
20For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
The Unforgiving Servant
21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
23Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.
25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
26At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.'
27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt, and let him go.
28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
28But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
29His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.'
30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
30But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
32Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?'
34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
34In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
35This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
XIX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Marriage, Divorce, and Celibacy
1And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
1When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan.
2And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
2Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
3Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"
4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
4"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'
5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
5and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?
6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
7"Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"
8He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
8Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.
9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
9I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."
10His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
10The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."
11But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
11Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.
12For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
12For there are eunuchs who were born that way, others who were made that way by people, and others who have chosen to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."
Jesus Blesses Children
13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
13Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
The Rich Young Man
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
16Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments."
18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
18"Which ones?" he inquired. Jesus replied, "'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony,
19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
19honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Riches and Reward
23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
27Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
28Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
XX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Workers in the Vineyard
1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
1For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
3About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.
4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
4He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went.
5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
5He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing.
6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
6About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'
7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
7'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'
8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
9The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius.
10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.
11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.
12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
12'These who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'
13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
13But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?
14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
14Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you.
15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
16So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Third Prediction of the Passion
17And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
17Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them,
18Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
18"We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death
19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
19and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!"
The Request of James and John
20Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
20Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
21"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
22But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
22"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered.
23And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
23Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
24And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—
28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Two Blind Men at Jericho
29And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
29As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.
30And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
30Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
31And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
31The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
32And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
32Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
33They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
33"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."
34So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
34Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
XXI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Triumphal Entry
1And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,
2Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.
3And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
3If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
4All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
5"Say to Daughter Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"
6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.
7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
7They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.
8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
10And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Cleansing the Temple
12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
12Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
13"It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers.'"
14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.
15And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,
15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.
16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, 'From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise'?"
17And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
The Withered Fig Tree
18Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
18Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.
19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
21Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
The Question of Authority
23And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
23Jesus entered the temple courts, and while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"
24And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
24Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
25The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
25John's baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'
26But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
26But if we say, 'Of human origin'—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."
27And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
27So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Parable of the Two Sons
28But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
28What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
29'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
30Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.
31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
31Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.
32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Parable of the Wicked Tenants
33Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
33Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.
34And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
34When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.
35And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
35The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.
36Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
36Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way.
37But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
37Last of all, he sent his son to them. 'They will respect my son,' he said.
38But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.'
39And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
39So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
40When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
40Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"
41They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
41"He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time."
42Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
42Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?
43Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
43Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.
44And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
44Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed."
45And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them.
46But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
46They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
XXII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:
2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
2"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.
3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
3He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
4Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.'
5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
5But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business.
6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
6The rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.
7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
7The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
8Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.
9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
9So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.'
10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
10So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
11But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.
12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
12He asked, 'How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?' The man was speechless.
13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.'
14For many are called, but few are chosen.
14For many are invited, but few are chosen."
Paying Taxes to Caesar
15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.
16And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.
17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?"
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
19Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius,
20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
20and he asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?"
21They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
21"Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
22When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
The Sadducees and the Resurrection
23The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
23That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.
24Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
24"Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.
25Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
25Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother.
26Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
26The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh.
27And last of all the woman died also.
27Finally, the woman died.
28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
28Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"
29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
29Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
30At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
31But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you,
32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
32'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."
33And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
33When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.
The Greatest Commandment
34But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.
35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
36Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
37Jesus replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
38This is the first and great commandment.
38This is the first and greatest commandment.
39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Whose Son Is the Messiah
41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.
42"What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied.
43He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
43He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says,
44The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
44"'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."'
45If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
45If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?"
46And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
46No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
XXIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Practice What You Preach
1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
3So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
4They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
5Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;
6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;
7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
7they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by others.
8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
8But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.
9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
9And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
10Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.
11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
11The greatest among you will be your servant.
12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
12For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Woes on Shutting Out the Kingdom
13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
13Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
14Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
14(Some manuscripts add: Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Therefore you will be punished more severely.)
15Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
15Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.
Blind Guides and Empty Oaths
16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
16Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.'
17Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?
18And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
18You also say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.'
19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
19You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
20Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
20Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.
21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
21And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it.
22And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
22And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it.
Neglecting Justice, Mercy, and Faith
23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
23Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.
24Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
25Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
25Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
26Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
27Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.
28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Heirs of Those Who Killed the Prophets
29Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
29Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.
30And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
30And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'
31Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
31So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.
32Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
32Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!
33Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
33You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?
34Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
34Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.
35That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
35And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
36Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
36Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.
Lament over Jerusalem
37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
37Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
38Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
38Look, your house is left to you desolate.
39For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
39For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
XXIV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Temple's Destruction Foretold
1And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
1Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings.
2And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
2"Do you see all these things?" he asked. "Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Birth Pains, Not the End
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
4Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.
5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many.
6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
8All these are the beginning of sorrows.
8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
9Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
13but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
The Abomination and the Great Tribulation
15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
15So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand),
16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
17Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house.
18Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
18Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.
19And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
19How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
20Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.
21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
21For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
22If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
23Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
23At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it.
24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
24For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25Behold, I have told you before.
25See, I have told you ahead of time.
26Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
26So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the wilderness,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.
27For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
27For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
28For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
28Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
The Coming of the Son of Man
29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
29Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
30Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
31And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
32Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
32Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
33So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
33Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.
34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
34Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
No One Knows the Day
36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
36But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
40Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
42Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
The Faithful and the Wicked Servant
45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
45Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?
46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
47Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,'
49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.
50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.
51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
XXV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
1At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
2Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
4The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
6At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
7Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
9'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
10But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
11Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!'
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
12But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.'
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
13Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
The Parable of the Talents
14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
14Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.
15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
15To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
16The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.
17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
17So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.
18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
18But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
19After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
20The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.'
21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
21His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
22The man with two bags of gold also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.'
23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
23His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
24Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
25So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
26His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?
27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
28So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.
29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
29For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.'
The Sheep and the Goats
31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
31When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.
32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
34Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
37Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
40The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
41Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
44They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
45He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
46Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
XXVI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Plot to Kill Jesus
1And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
1When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
2Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
2"As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
3Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
4And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
4and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.
5But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
5"But not during the festival," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
The Anointing at Bethany
6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,
7There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked.
9For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
9"This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
10When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
10Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
11For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
11The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
12For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
13Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
13Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests
15And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
15and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
The Passover and the Betrayer Named
17Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
17On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
18And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
18He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'"
19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
20When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
21And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me."
22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
22They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely you don't mean me, Lord?"
23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
23Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
24The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
25Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely you don't mean me, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "You have said so."
The Lord's Supper
26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
27Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
29I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
30And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
30When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Peter's Denial Foretold
31Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
31Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
32But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
33Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
34"Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
35But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
Prayer in Gethsemane
36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
42He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
43And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
43When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.
46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
46Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
The Arrest of Jesus
47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
47While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."
49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
49Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
50Jesus replied, "Do what you came for, friend." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested him.
51And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
51With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
52"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
55In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
55In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.
56But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
56But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Trial before the Sanhedrin
57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.
58But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
58But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
60But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
61And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
61and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'"
62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
62Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"
63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
63But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
64"You have said so," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
66What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.
67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
67Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him
68Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
68and said, "Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?"
Peter Denies Jesus
69Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
69Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.
70But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
70But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.
71And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
71Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."
72And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
72He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"
73And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
73After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away."
74Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
74Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.
75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
XXVII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jesus Delivered to Pilate
1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
1Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed.
2And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
2So they bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
The Death of Judas
3Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.
4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
4"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
5And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
5So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
6The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money."
7And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
7So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners.
8Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
8That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
9Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
9Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel,
10And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
10and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
Jesus before Pilate
11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied.
12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
12When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.
13Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
13Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?"
14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
14But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Barabbas or Jesus
15Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
15Now it was the governor's custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.
16And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
16At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Barabbas.
17Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?"
18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
18For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
19While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
21"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered.
22Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
22"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!"
23And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
23"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
25All the people answered, "His blood is on us and on our children!"
26Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
27Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.
28And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,
29And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
29and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said.
30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
30They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.
31And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
31After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion
32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
32As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.
33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
33They came to a place called Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull").
34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
34There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.
35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
35When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
36And sitting down they watched him there;
36And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.
37And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
37Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
38Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
39And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads
40And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
40and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
41Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
41In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders mocked him.
42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
42"He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
43He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"
44The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
44In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
45From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.
46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?").
47Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
48And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
48Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
49The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
49The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split,
52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
52and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
53They came out of the tombs after Jesus' resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
55And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
55Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.
56Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
The Burial of Jesus
57When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
57As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
58He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
58Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
59Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
60and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
61And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
62Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
62The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.
63Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
63"Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.'
64Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
64So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."
65Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
65"Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how."
66So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
66So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
XXVIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Resurrection
1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
7And 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.
7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
9And 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.
9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet, and worshiped him.
10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
The Guards' Report and the Bribe
11Now 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.
11While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.
12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
12When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,
13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
13telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.'
14And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
14If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."
15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
15So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the people to this very day.
The Great Commission
16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20Teaching 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.
20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."