Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 22:14-23)

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 22:14-23:

The time had now come to slaughter lambs for Passover,
so Jesus sent Peter and John
       to make preparations for the meal.

“Where do you want us to do this?” they asked.

Jesus replied:
       “As you enter the city, you’ll meet a man
              carrying a jug of water.
       Follow him into the house and say to the owner,
              ‘Our teacher sent us to find out where he can eat
              the Passover meal with his closest friends.’
       The owner will take you upstairs and show you
              a large room ready for you to use.
       Prepare the meal there.”

Peter and John left, and they found everything
precisely as Jesus had indicated,
       so they did exactly as he had instructed.

When it was supper time, Jesus said,
“I’ve really wanted to eat this Passover meal
       with you before I suffer.
It will be the last one I eat
before the Celebration Supper
       in the Ultimate Kingdom.”

Jesus took a cup of wine in his hands,
and after giving thanks to God, he said,
       “Take this wine and share it with each other.
I’ll drink no more wine before the Celebration Supper
       in the Ultimate Kingdom.”

Jesus then took some bread in his hands,
and after giving thanks to God,
       he broke the bread and passed it around.
Then he said, “This is my body offered for you.
       Eat this and remember me!”

After the meal, Jesus took another cup of wine
in his hands and said, “This is my blood
       poured out for you, and with it
       God makes his new agreement.
Here at the table is the one who will betray me!
I’ll die as God intends,
       but it will be terrible for my betrayer.”

The followers started arguing
       about who would do such a thing.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 10:1-12)

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 10:1-12:

Later the Lord chose seventy-two other followers
and sent them out two by two to every town and village
       that he intended to visit. He said to them:

       “So many crops in the field, and so few workers!
              Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send more workers.
       Now go, and remember I’m sending you out
              like lambs among hungry wolves.
       Take only the clothes you absolutely need,
              and don’t waste time just hanging loose!
       Ask God’s blessing upon every home
              where you are welcomed,
              but withhold it where you are rejected.
       Stay with the first family that invites you,
       eating and drinking whatever they provide,
              without moving from place to place.
       Remember you are worth what you receive,
              if you work really hard.

       “When a town welcomes you, heal their sick and say,
              ‘The Ultimate Kingdom will soon be here!’
       But when a town rejects you,
              stand on the top of a soap box and shout,
       ‘This is your final warning!
              The Ultimate Kingdom will soon be here!’

       “My followers, I tell you now
       that no town will be judged more harshly
              than those that reject you!”

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 23:26-43)

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 23:26-43:

As Jesus was being led away,
some soldiers grabbed a man named Simon Cyrene,
       who was on his way home from the fields —
they put the cross on his shoulders,
       and forced him to drag it behind Jesus.

A large crowd was following along,
among them some women,
       weeping and wailing for him.

Jesus turned toward the women and said:

       “Cry for yourselves, not for me, women of Jerusalem!
       Someday everyone will agree,
              ‘It’s better to be barren than blest with children.’
       If sparks ignite so quickly when someone is innocent,
              a volcano will surely erupt when the nation rebels,
       causing people to beg for mountains and hills
              to rush to their rescue.”

Two criminals were led out to be executed with Jesus,
and when they reached the place called “Skull,”
       each of them was nailed to a cross,
              with Jesus in between.

“Father,” prayed Jesus, “forgive these people —
       they don’t know what they’re doing.”

While the crowd was stunned and staring at the spectacle,
the soldiers gambled for his garments,
       as their leaders hurled spiteful insults,
“He saved others! If he’s God’s Favorite,
       then let him save himself.”

“So you’re king of this nation,” mocked the soldiers,
       offering Jesus a goblet of wine. “Ok, save yourself!”

On the cross above Jesus was posted a sign:
       “Here Hangs Your National Hero!”

One of the dying criminals also insulted Jesus,
       “Aren’t you God’s Favorite? Save yourself and us!”

The other criminal replied with a sharp rebuttal,
“Don’t you fear God? This man’s innocent,
       but we’re guilty as sin.”
Then turning to Jesus, he said,
       “Remember me when you come into power!”

“Today you’ll be with me in paradise,”
       Jesus assured the man.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 7:24-29)

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 Matthew 7:24-29:

If you obey my teachings, you’re wise —
       you’ve built your house on solid rock.
Neither drenching rains, nor floods, nor hurricanes
       can shake that house from its solid foundation.

If you disobey my teachings, you’re foolish —
       you’ve built your house on shifting sands.
Drenching rains, floods, or hurricanes can shake that house,
       and it will collapse with a loud crash.

Jesus surprised everyone by teaching with such authority
as they had never witnessed before —
       not even from the most renowned biblical scholars!

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Mark 1:40-45)

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 1:40-45:

A man with leprosy came and knelt down to Jesus,
begging, “Your power can make me well,
       if only you are willing.”

Jesus felt sorrow for the man.
So he placed his hand on him and said,
       “I’m willing—now you are well.”
At once the leprosy disappeared!

Jesus sent the man away with a warning,
“Don’t tell anyone except those you must
       to be pronounced free of leprosy.
Then do what the Bible teaches
by offering a gift at the temple,
       so everyone else will know you’re well.”

But the man instead told everyone he met —
so many that Jesus had to stay away from the towns.
       But crowds still flocked to him in the desert.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 23:44-49)

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 23:44-49:

The sun stopped shining and shadowy darkness
       spread like a shroud from noon to mid afternoon.
The temple curtain split down the middle,
as the final words of Jesus thundered,
       “Father, I trust myself to you!”

A Roman soldier witnessed the events and exclaimed,
       “Today I’ve seen a truly good man!”

The crowd that had gathered to gape at the gruesome sight,
       dispersed and disappeared with broken hearts.
But the close friends of Jesus — especially the women
who had accompanied him from Galilee —
       stood at a distance as solemn witnesses.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 6:1-4)

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 6:1-4:

Do you accompany your good deeds with a toot on your own horn?
       Do you give to the poor in hope of praise from others?
Well, so do hypocrites who seek praise in church and in public.
       Earthly praise is their full reward.

Be secretive and silent when you give to the poor!
Your Father above knows everything —
       so be patient! Your reward is waiting for you.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 7:11-17)

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 7:11-17:

Jesus and his followers were on the way to the village of Nain,
       with a big crowd surrounding them.
As they approached the town gate,
       they saw a funeral procession —
a widow’s only son was being carried out for burial,
       and many of the village people were with her.
When Jesus saw the woman, he felt sorry for her and said,
       “You can stop crying now.”

Then he went over and touched the stretcher
       on which the dead boy was lying.
The funeral procession came to a halt,
and Jesus said, “Young man, sit up!”
       The boy sat up and started speaking.

“Here’s your son!” Jesus said to the widow.

Though everyone was frightened,
       they praised God and exclaimed,
“A great prophet has now arrived!
       God has come to save us all!”

News about Jesus spread everywhere.