Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 9:18-20)

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 Luke 9:18-20:

When Jesus was praying alone, his followers approached,
       and he asked, “What are people saying about me?”

They answered, “Some say you’re John Dipper
       or one of the ancient prophets come back alive.”

“But who do you say I am?” asked Jesus.

“You are God’s Chosen One!” was Peter’s reply.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 25:31-46)

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 Matthew 25:31-46:

On the day of judgment, God’s Appointed One
will appear in all his glory with his angels
       and assume his place of authority as Judge.
Everyone of every nation will be there,
and he will separate them
       as a shepherd separates sheep from goats.

“Sheep to my right! Goats to my left!”
the King will announce,
       before pronouncing final judgment:

“To you on my right, my Father now gives his blessing.
So, come and enter the kingdom prepared for you
       before the world was created or even conceived.
I was hungry, and you gave me food;
       I was thirsty, and you gave me water.
              I was a stranger, and you welcomed me;
I was naked and you gave me clothes;
       I was sick, and you cared for me;
              I was in jail, and you came to visit me.”

Though you’ve pleased me, still you’ll ask,
“When were you hungry, and I gave you food?
       When were you thirsty, and I gave you water?
              When were you a stranger, and I welcomed you?
When were you naked, and I gave you clothes?
       When were you sick, and I cared for you?
              When were you in jail, and I came to visit you?”

Then I will remind you —
Whenever you did any of these things for any one
       of those who seemed so insignificant,
              you did it fo rme.

Now for those of you on my left — Get away from me!
Go into the eternal fire God has prepared
       for the devil and his angels.
I was hungry, and you gave me no food;
       I was thirsty, and you gave me no water.
              I was a stranger, and you didn’t welcome me;
I was naked and you gave me no clothes;
       I was sick, and you didn’t care for me;
              I was in jail, and you didn’t come to visit me.

Though you’ve displeased me, still you’ll ask,
“When did I fail to do any of these things for you?”

Then I will remind you —
Whenever you turned your back on any one
       of those who seemed so insignificant,
              you turned your back on me.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Luke 22:31-38)

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 22:31-38:

Jesus said, “Peter, listen carefully!
Satan has demanded the right
       to severely test each of you.
But I’ve prayed for your faith to be strong,
and when you’ve endured the testing,
       then turn and help the others endure.”

Peter replied, “Lord, I’m willing to face prison
       ;or even death with you!”

“Before a rooster crows tomorrow morning,” said Jesus,
       “you’ll say three times you don’t even know me.”

Then Jesus spoke to all his followers,
       “When I sent you out on your first mission,
       I told you not to take along a traveling bag
              or extra clothes and sandals.
       But now I tell you to take all these
              and possibly even a sword,
       because I’ll be treated like a criminal,
              just as the Bible says.”

“We have two swords!” shouted his followers.
       “Enough of this!” replied Jesus.

Scriptures Plain & Simple (Matthew 2:1-12)

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 Matthew 2:1-12:

They came from the east when Herod was king in Judea.
They were authorities themselves, authorities about stars, and they asked in Jerusalem,
       “Where is the child born to be king of your nation?
In the east we saw the star that signaled his birth,
       and we have come to worship him.”

This news worried King Herod and everyone else in town.
So Herod called together the religious authorities and asked,
       “Where is this new king supposed to be born?”

They replied, “In Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote:
‘Bethlehem — so important in Judea—from you will come
       One with absolute authority over God’s flock.’”

Herod was sly, and after he had sent for the star-authorities,
he said, “Go to Bethlehem and return with all the details,
       so I can worship this new king.”

The eastern authorities followed the star
until it had settled over the child’s home —
       they were overwhelmed with joy…

When they entered the house,
       they saw him with Mary his mother.
So they knelt down and worshiped the child,
       placing at his feet the treasures they had brought.
Later — after being warned in a dream –
       they returned home by a different route.

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.