How To Pray
1 Once Jesus was praying in a certain place. After he had finished, one of his disciples told him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."
1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
1 It happened that while (a)Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”
1 He was praying(A) in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”(B)
1 It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”
2 So he told them, "Whenever you pray you are to say, "Father, may your name be kept holy. May your kingdom come.
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
4 and forgive us our sins, as we forgive everyone who sins against us. And never bring us into temptation.'"
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
4 ‘And forgive us our sins,For we ourselves also forgive everyone who (C)is indebted to us.And lead us not into temptation.’”
Ask, Seek, Knock
5 Then he told them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread.
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
5 Then He said to them, “(d)Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;
5 He also said to them: “Suppose one of you(f) has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
5 Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves [of bread];
6 A friend of mine on a trip has dropped in on me, and I don't have anything to serve him.'
6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;
6 for a friend of mine who is on a journey has just come to visit me, and I have nothing to serve him’;
7 Suppose he answers from inside, "Stop bothering me! The door is already locked, and my children are here with us in the bedroom. I can't get up and give you anything!'
7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
7 and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children (e)and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’
7 Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’
7 and from inside he answers, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’
8 I tell you, even though that man doesn't want to get up and give him anything because he is his friend, he will get up and give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet (D)because of his (f)persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
8 I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence,(h) he will get up and give him as much as he needs.(L)
8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything just because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence and boldness he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
9 So I say to you: Keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you,
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
9 “So I say to you, (g)(E)ask, and it will be given to you; (h)seek, and you will find; (i)knock, and it will be opened to you.
10 because everyone who keeps asking will receive, and the person who keeps searching will find, and the person who keeps knocking will have the door opened.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.
10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 What father among you, if his son asks for bread, would give him a stone, or if he asks for a fish, would give him a snake instead of the fish?
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
11 Now (j)suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a (k)fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?
11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?
12 Or if he asks for an egg, would he give him a scorpion?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
13 So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who keep asking him!"
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
13 (F)If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your (l)heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
13 If you then, who are evil,(Q) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father(R) give(m) the Holy Spirit(S) to those who ask Him?”
13 If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!”
A House Divided Cannot Stand
14 Jesus was driving a demon out of a man who was unable to talk. When the demon had gone out, the man began to speak, and the crowds were amazed.
14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
14 (G)And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute; when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed.
17 Since he knew what they were thinking, he told them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is devastated, and a divided household collapses.
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
17 (K)But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “(o)Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against (p)itself falls.
17 Knowing their thoughts,(AB) He told them: “Every kingdom divided(AC) against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls.
17 But He, well aware of their thoughts and purpose, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is doomed to destruction; and a house divided against itself falls.
18 Now, if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.
18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
18 If (L)Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by (M)Beelzebul.
18 If Satan(AD) also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom(AE) stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul.
18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand and continue to survive? For you are saying that I drive out demons by [the power of] Beelzebul.
19 If I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own followers drive them out? That is why they will be your judges!
19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
19 And if I by (N)Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? So they will be your judges.
19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sons(o)(AF) drive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges.
19 Now if I drive out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons [the Jewish exorcists] drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges.
22 But when a stronger man than he attacks and defeats him, the stronger man strips off that man's armor in which he trusted and then divides his plunder.
22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
22 But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder.
22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers(AI) him, he takes from him all his weapons(q)(AJ) he trusted(AK) in, and divides up his plunder.(AL)
22 But when someone stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he robs him of all his armor on which he had relied and divides his [goods as] spoil.
23 "The person who isn't with me is against me, and the person who doesn't gather with me scatters."
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
23 He who is not with Me [believing in Me as Lord and Savior] is against Me [there is no impartial position]; and he who does not gather with Me [assisting in My ministry], scatters.
An Unclean Spirit Returns
24 "Whenever an unclean spirit goes out of a person, it wanders through dry places looking for a place to rest but doesn't find any. So it says, "I will go back to my home that I left.'
24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
24 “(R)When the unclean spirit goes out of (s)a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’
24 “When(AN) an unclean spirit(AO) comes out of a man, it roams through waterless places looking for rest,(AP) and not finding rest, it then(r) says, ‘I’ll go back to my house where I came from.’
24 “When the unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places in search [of a place] of rest; and not finding any, it says, ‘I will go back to my house (person) from which I came.’
25 When it gets back home, it finds it swept clean and put in order.
25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
25 And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order.
25 And returning, it finds the house swept and put in order.
25 And when it comes, it finds the place swept and put in order.
26 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all go in and settle there. And so the final condition of that person is worse than the first."
26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him 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.
26 Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”
26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits(AQ) more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that man’s last condition is worse than the first.”(AR)
26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in [the person] and live there; and the last state of that person becomes worse than the first.”
True Blessedness
27 As Jesus was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and told him, "How blessed is the womb that gave birth to you and the breasts that nursed you!"
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
27 While (t)Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “(S)Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.”
27 As He was saying these things, a woman from the crowd(AS) raised her voice and said to Him, “The womb that bore You and the one who nursed You(AT) are blessed!”
27 Now while Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed (happy, favored by God) is the womb that gave birth to You and the breasts at which You nursed!”
The Sign Of Jonah
29 Now as the crowds continued to throng around Jesus, he went on to say, "This people living today are an evil generation. It craves a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah,
29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
29 As the crowds were increasing, He began to say, “(U)This generation is a wicked generation; it (V)seeks for a (u)sign, and yet no (v)sign will be given to it but the (w)sign of Jonah.
30 because just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation.
30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
30 For just as (W)Jonah became a (x)sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
31 The queen of the south will stand up at the judgment and condemn the people living today, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. But look, something greater than Solomon is here!
31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
31 The (X)Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation at the judgment and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment and condemn the people living today, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. But look, something greater than Jonah is here!"
32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
32 The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment and condemn it, because (Y)they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation, and look—something greater than Jonah is here!
Light And Darkness
33 "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a hiding place or under a basket, but on a lamp stand, so that those who enter may see its light.
33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
33 “(Z)No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light.
34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light. But when it's evil, your body is full of darkness.
34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
34 (AA)The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is (y)clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is (z)bad, your body also is full of darkness.
34 Your eye is the lamp of the body.(BH) When your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad,(BI) your body is also full of darkness.
34 The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive, focused on God], your whole body also is full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. But when it is bad [spiritually blind], your body also is full of darkness [devoid of God’s word].
35 Therefore, be careful that the light in you isn't darkness.
35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
35 Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness.
35 Take care then, that the light in you is not darkness.
35 Be careful, therefore, that the light that is in you is not darkness.
36 Now if your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays."
36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
36 If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays.”
36 If, therefore, your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be entirely illuminated, as when a lamp shines its light on you.”(u)
36 So if your whole body is illuminated, with no dark part, it will be entirely bright [with light], as when the lamp gives you light with its bright rays.”
Pharisees And Legal Experts Denounced
37 After Jesus had said this, a Pharisee invited him to have a meal with him. So Jesus went and took his place at the table.
37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
37 Now when He had spoken, a Pharisee *asked Him to have lunch with him; and He went in, and reclined at the table.
37 As He was speaking, a Pharisee(BJ) asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and reclined at the table.
37 Now after Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee asked Him to have lunch with him. He went in [the Pharisee’s home] and reclined at the table [without ceremonially washing His hands].
38 The Pharisee was surprised to see that he didn't first wash before the meal.
38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
38 When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that He had not first (aa)(AB)ceremonially washed before the (ab)meal.
38 When the Pharisee saw this, he was amazed that He did not first perform the ritual washing(v)(BK) before dinner.(BL)
38 The Pharisee noticed this and was surprised that Jesus did not first ceremonially wash before the meal.
39 But the Lord told him, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but on the inside you are full of greed and evil.
39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
39 But (AC)the Lord said to him, “Now (AD)you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but (ac)inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness.
39 But the Lord said to him: “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed(BM) and evil.(BN)
39 But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and plate [as required by tradition]; but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
41 So give what is inside to the poor, and then everything will be clean for you.
41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
41 But give that which is within as charity [that is, acts of mercy and compassion, not as a public display, but as an expression of your faithfulness to God], and then indeed all things are clean for you.
42 "How terrible it will be for you Pharisees! You give a tenth of your mint, spices, and every kind of herb, but you neglect justice and the love of God. These are the things you should have practiced, without neglecting the others.
42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
42 “(AH)But woe to you Pharisees! For you (AI)pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.
42 “But woe(BR) to you Pharisees! You give a tenth(x)(BS) of mint, rue, and every kind of herb, and you bypass(y) justice(BT) and love for God.(z)(BU) These things you should have done without neglecting the others.
42 “But woe (judgment is coming) to you Pharisees, because you [self-righteously] (l)tithe mint and (m)rue and every [little] garden herb [tending to all the minutiae], and yet disregard and neglect justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done, without neglecting the others.(H)
43 How terrible it will be for you Pharisees! You love to have the places of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted in the marketplaces.
43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you (AJ)love the chief seats in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the market places.
44 How terrible it will be for you! You are like unmarked graves people walk on them without realizing it."
44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
44 (AK)Woe to you! For you are like (ae)concealed tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it.”
44 Woe to you! For you are like graves which are unmarked, and people walk over them without being aware of it [and are ceremonially unclean].”
Jesus Talks To Experts On The Law
45 Then one of the experts in the Law told him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us, too."
45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.
45 One of the (af)(AL)lawyers *said to Him in reply, “Teacher, when You say this, You insult us too.”
45 One of the experts in the law(BY) answered Him, “Teacher, when You say these things You insult us too.”
45 One of the lawyers [an expert in the Mosaic Law] answered Him, “Teacher, by saying this, You insult us too!”
46 Jesus said, "How terrible it will be for you experts in the Law, too! You load people with burdens that are hard to carry, yet you don't even lift a finger to ease those burdens.
46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
46 But He said, “Woe to you (AM)lawyers as well! For (AN)you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, (ag)while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
46 Then He said: “Woe also to you experts in the law! You load people with burdens(BZ) that are hard to carry, yet you yourselves don’t touch these burdens with one of your fingers.(CA)
46 But He said, “Woe to you lawyers as well, because you weigh men down with burdens [man-made rules, unreasonable requirements] which are hard to bear, and you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers [to lighten the load].
47 How terrible it will be for you! You build monuments for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them!
47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
48 So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors, because they killed those for whom you are building monuments.
48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
48 So you are witnesses and approve the deeds of your fathers; because it was they who killed them, and you build their tombs.
48 Therefore, you are witnesses(CD) that you approve(ac)(CE) the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their monuments.(ad)
48 So you are witnesses and approve the deeds of your fathers, because they [actually] killed them, and you repair or build their tombs.
49 That is why the Wisdom of God said, "I will send them prophets and apostles. They will kill some of them and persecute others,'
49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
49 For this reason also (AP)the wisdom of God said, ‘(AQ)I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will (ai)persecute,
49 Because of this, the wisdom of God(CF) said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles,(CG) and some of them they will kill and persecute,’(CH)
49 For this reason also the wisdom of God said [in the Scriptures], ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will put to death and some they will persecute,
50 so those living today will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that was shed since the foundation of the world,
50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
50 so that the blood of all the prophets, shed (AR)since the foundation of the world, may be (aj)charged against this generation,
50 so that this generation(CI) may be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world(ae)(CJ)—
50 so that charges may be brought against this generation [holding them responsible] for the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world,
51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who died between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation!
51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
51 from (AS)the blood of Abel to (AT)the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be (ak)charged against this generation.’
52 How terrible it will be for you experts in the Law! You have taken away the key to knowledge. You didn't go in yourselves, and you kept out those who were trying to go in."
52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
52 Woe to you (al)(AU)lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; (AV)you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering.”
53 As Jesus was leaving, the scribes and the Pharisees began to oppose him fiercely, interrogating him about many things.
53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
53 When He left there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile and to question Him closely on many subjects,
53 When He left there,(ag) the scribes and the Pharisees began to oppose(CO) Him fiercely and to cross-examine Him about many things;
53 When He left there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile [toward Him] and to interrogate Him on many subjects,