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 (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 (Mark 1:12-13)

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 1:12-13:

At the impulse of God’s Spirit,
       Jesus headed into the desert.
For forty days and forty nights, Satan put him to the test,
while Jesus lived among the wild animals
       and was watched over by angels.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 22:66-71)

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 22:66-71:

At dawn the politicians, priests, and professors of religion
called a meeting and had Jesus brought in for questioning.
       “Are you God’s Chosen One?” they demanded.

“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me,” replied Jesus.
       “And if I asked you a question, you wouldn’t answer.
Soon, however, you’ll see me
       at the right side of God All-Powerful.”

“Are you the Son of God?” was their next question.

“You say I am,” answered Jesus.

“He’s said enough to hang himself!” they judged.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 5:17-20)

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 5:17-20:

Don’t dream that I came to do away with your precious Bible!
I came to give full meaning to its every word
       and make everything happen, just as it says.
Fact is, before even a syllable is erased from the Bible,
       heaven and earth will have to first disappear.

So if you want an important place with the Great Rewarder,
obey and teach others to obey the Bible’s every teaching.
       Otherwise, you’ll have no standing within the Kingdom.
Do better than those self-righteous, religious snobs,
       or you’ll be snubbed by the Great Rewarder!

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Mark 12:28-34)

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 12:28-34:

Jesus had just frustrated a group of theologians,
when a noted biblical scholar asked him,
       “What’s the most important teaching in the Bible?”

Jesus answered, “The Bible itself says,
       Love God with all your heart!
And the Bible also says,
       Love others as much as you love yourself!
No teachings are more important than these.”

“Teacher,” answered the man, “you’re certainly right.
We must love the one and only God with all our heart,
       and love others as much as we love ourselves.
To obey these two commands is more important
       than offering all kinds of gifts to God.”

Jesus realized the depth of the man’s answer and said,
       “You already have one foot in the Ultimate Kingdom.”

After this, no one dared put Jesus to the test.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 7:1-6)

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 7:1-6:

Condemn others, and God will condemn you.
       God will be as hard on you, as you are on others.

Do you know someone with a sin the size of a speck?
If your sin is as large as a log, you’d better roll it away first,
       before you attempt to wipe away that tiny speck.
Otherwise, you’re a first-class hypocrite.
Don’t share what is sacred with wild dogs!
       They’ll turn and attack.
Don’t decorate pigs with earrings of pearls!
       They’ll trample those pearls in the mud.