Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Mark 12:13-17:

Some theologians and politicians got together
and sent a committee to trick Jesus
       into making a false statement.

“Teacher,” they said, “you’re absolutely honest,
you don’t show favoritism,
       and you’re straight forward about God’s demands.
One small matter: Should we pay taxes to the government?”

Jesus knew what they were up to, so he replied
“Don’t try to play power politics with me!
       Show me a coin of the state.”

They handed him a coin, and he asked,
“Whose face is on this coin?
       What are these buildings?”
“It’s the face of our ruler,” they answered,
       “and our national headquarters.”

“Then pay the government what you owe,” said Jesus,
       “and give God what belongs to God.”

The entire committee stood there amazed.