Scriptures Plain & Simple (Mark 6:14-29)

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 6:14-29:

Jesus became so famous that some people claimed,
“He’s John Dipper come back to life.” Others disagreed,
       “No, he’s one of the ancient prophets now returned.”

Governor Herod had previously executed John Dipper,
but still Herod thought Jesus was John
       alive and kicking once again. So the

Here’s the story: Herod had earlier married Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip,
       but John had vigorously and publicly objected.

Herod wanted to make Herodias happy,
       so he had John thrown in prison.
However, Herodias wasn’t finished with John,
       but she was absolutely helpless —
Although Herod was afraid of John,
he often went to him for advice,
       but always returned frustrated and confused.

At last, Herodias got her big chance,
when her daughter danced
       at the birthday party Herod had thrown for himself.
His public officials and military officers had been invited,
and her dancing pleased them so much
       that Herod promised her whatever she wanted.

She was a momma’s girl and hurried off to Herodias,
who told her to ask for delivery on a platter
       the head of John Dipper.

When Herod was informed, he immediately performed
and ordered John Dipper to be decapitated.
       Then his head was displayed on a platter.
When John’s followers learned of his fate,
       they took his body and placed it in a tomb.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 24:1-12)

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 Luke 24:1-12:

Before Sunday dawned, the women rushed to the tomb,
       carrying spices they had prepared.
The stone had been rolled away from the entrance,
       and they rushed right in.
Where was the body of the Lord Jesus?
It was nowhere to be seen,
       and they didn’t know what to think.

Two men there in shining white garments!
Where did they come from?

Shocked, the women fell to the ground, but the men said:

       “The living don’t dwell in tombs of the dead!
       Jesus has been raised to life,
              and now he’s long gone.
       While you were still in Galilee, don’t you remember
       he told you he’d be arrested, then executed on a cross,
              but three days later he’d rise to life?”

At that very moment, the women recalled
       what Jesus had said to them.

Quite a crowd of women had gone to the tomb,
among them: Mary Magdalene, Joanna,
       and Mary the mother of James.
They hurried off and informed others,
including the closest followers of Jesus,
       who refused to believe such nonsense.

However, Peter raced to the tomb,
but after stooping and looking carefully inside,
       he saw only burial clothes.
Still confused, he returned to the others.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 6:16-18)

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 Matthew 6:16-18:

When worshiping God, don’t pretend to be pious!
       No need to give up eating and inform others,
       or leave your clothes unkept and your hair uncombed.
Your Father above sees through the veneer,
       so be patient! Your reward is waiting for you!

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 28:16-20)

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 Matthew 28:16-20:

After Jesus had been raised from death,
he instructed eleven of his leading followers
              to meet him on a mountain in Galilee.

Jesus appeared to them and said:

              I have been given absolute authority
                     in heaven and on earth.
              Now I am sending you to make followers
                     of people in nations everywhere.
              Baptize them in the name
              of the Father, the Son,
                     and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have taught you.
              Remember, I will always be with you, no matter what.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 22:39-46)

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 Luke 22:39-46:

Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, as he often did, #
       and his followers went along with him.
When he got there, he told them,
       “Pray that you won’t be put to the test!”

After Jesus had walked a little way, he knelt and prayed,
“Father, please save me from this terrible suffering!
       But I’m willing to do whatever you want.”

At that moment, an angel descended to help Jesus,
because he was in such pain
       that his sweat poured down like drops of blood.

Jesus stood up and went back to his followers,
weary from sadness and sound asleep.
       “Why are you sleeping?” asked Jesus.
       “Wake up and pray not to be put to the test.”

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 5:2-12)

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 Matthew 5:2-12:

Trust God absolutely — though you have nothing to offer —
       God is the Great Rewarder!

Hurt with those who hurt — God is the Gracious Comforter!

Humility is the pathway to victory –- God is the Generous Giver!
       And the earth will be given to those who are humble.

Above all else, hunger and thirst to obey God — you will be satisfied.

Mercy for mercy — Show mercy, and God will be merciful to you.

Purity of heart and mind opens eyes to see God —
       and this perfect vision can be yours.

Do you want to become a child of God? Make peace, not war!

Don’t give up, even if you’ve been mistreated for doing right!
       God remains the Great Rewarder!

When others insult you or mistreat you or tell evil lies about you,
       because you belong to God, don’t worry or whimper!
In heaven God will reward you greatly — after all, don’t you recall
       this was the fate of prophets long ago?

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Mark 6:30-44)

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 6:30-44:

One day, Jesus and his closest followers
were surrounded by so many spectators
       that they didn’t even have a chance to eat.
Jesus said, “Let’s leave here and find a place
       where we can be alone and get some rest.”

So they jumped in a boat and rowed away,
but people found out and walked there
       before the boat arrived.

As Jesus stepped ashore, he noticed the crowd —
it was like a scattering of sheep without a shepherd.
       He felt sorry for the people and started teaching them.

That evening his followers came to him and said,
       “It’s getting dark in this desert-like place.
Stop teaching and release the crowds,
       so they can start searching for somewhere to buy food.”

“You give them something to eat,” replied Jesus

“Don’t you know,” they questioned, “a year’s wages
       would barely be enough to feed this crowd?”

“Find out how much bread is available,” commanded Jesus.

They found out and reported,
       “Five small loaves and two little fish.”

Jesus instructed his followers to tell the people to
sit down on the green grass
       in groups of a hundred and in groups of fifty.

Looking up toward heaven, Jesus blessed
       both the bread and the fish.
Then he broke the bread and handed it to his followers,
       who distributed it among the crowd.
He also divided the fish, so everyone could have some.
After everyone had eaten and was satisfied,
the followers of Jesus gathered enough leftovers
       to fill twelve large baskets.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 6:19-21)

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 Matthew 6:19-21:

Don’t accumulate treasures here on earth,
where they can be destroyed by insects and rust,
       or stolen by thieves.

Instead, store up your treasures in heaven,
       where no harm can come to them.