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.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 10:25-37)

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 10:25-37:

A biblical scholar once questioned Jesus,
       “Teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?”

“What do you think the Bible teaches about this?”
       asked Jesus in return.

The scholar answered, “It commands us
to love God with all our heart
       and to love others as much as we love ourselves.”

“That’s right,” answered Jesus
       “Now do this, and you’ll have eternal life.”

The man wanted to show off somewhat and inquired,
       “Who are these others you’re talking about?”

Jesus explained with a story:

       “A Jewish man was on his way to worship in Jerusalem,
              when he was brutally robbed and left for dead.
       Along came a theologian, but he didn’t pause to help,
       then a parishioner praised for his piety passed right by,
              too fearful of being defiled and unable to worship God.

       “Finally, an Arab came along, and when he saw the man,
              he stopped and ministered first aid.
       Then he put the Jewish man on his own donkey
              and took him to the nearest motel.

       “Next morning, he gave the motel manager his credit card
       and said, ‘Give him the best treatment possible,
              and charge it all to my account’.”

Then Jesus asked the biblical scholar,
       “Which one of these people truly cared for the injured man?”

To this the scholar replied, “The one who showed mercy.”
“Go and do the same!” was the answer Jesus gave.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Mark 1:1-8)

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 1:1-8:

This is the Best News Ever,
       and it’s about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

It began, just as God had announced
       in the book by the prophet Isaiah:

              I’m sending my messenger
                     to prepare the way for you.
              Listen to the voice shouting in the desert,
                     “Make a straight path for the Coming One’.”

So John Dipper showed up in the desert,
shouting for everyone to hear: “It’s turn around time!
       Do this and be baptized, if you hope to be forgiven!”

From Jerusalem and all over Judea,

       multitudes swarmed around John like flies —
they openly confessed their sins,
       and he baptized them in the River Jordan.

John Dipper wore garments of camel hair
with a leather strap around his waist —
       his food was locusts and honey from the fields.

His message: “Someone more powerful will come,
       and I’m not worthy to be his lowest slave.
My baptism is merely with water —
       his baptism is with the Holy Spirit!”

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 22:47-53)

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 22:47-53:

Before Jesus stopped speaking, a crowd came up,
       led by Judas, one of his closest followers.
Judas walked over and greeted Jesus with a kiss,
       and Jesus asked, “Is this kiss an act of betrayal?”
The other followers realized what was happening,
       and they shouted, “Lord, should we attack with a sword?”
One of them even drew a sword and cut off
       the right ear of the high priest’s servant.

“Enough of this!” shouted Jesus.
              Then he touched and healed the severed ear.
To the chief priests and the other religious authorities
       who had come to arrest him, Jesus said:
              “Why have you come out with swords and clubs,
                     as though I were a criminal?
              Day after day I was with you in the temple,
                     and you didn’t arrest me then.
              But for the moment,
                     you and the power of darkness are in control.”

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 5:13-16)

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 6:13-16:

For everyone on this earth, you and you alone are salt!
       But if salt is no longer salty, it’s good only for gravel.
For everyone on this earth, you and you alone are light.
       You are a city on top of a hill and cannot be hidden.
Only a fool would light a lamp and place it under a bucket
       instead of on a lamp stand.
Keep your light shining! Let everyone see what you do,
       so they will praise your Father above.