John

3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

Later Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, across from the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to ask him something in private.

4Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

They said, "Tell us, when will these things happen? What sign will show us it is all about to come true?"

5And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

Jesus began to answer them. He said, "Be careful. Do not let anyone fool you.

6For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Many people will come using my name. They will say, 'I am the one.' They will fool many people.

7And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

You will hear about wars, and about news of more wars. Do not be upset. These things have to happen. But the end has not come yet.

8For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Country will fight country, and kingdom will fight kingdom. The ground will shake in many places. People will go hungry, and there will be hard times. These things are like the first pains a mother feels before a baby is born.

9But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Watch out for yourselves. People will hand you over to courts. You will be beaten in synagogues, the buildings where Jews meet to worship. You will be taken to rulers and kings because you belong to me. There you will tell them about me.

10And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

First, the good news about me must be told to every nation.

11But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

They will arrest you and hand you over. Do not worry ahead of time about what to say. Say whatever you are given to say right then. You will not be the one speaking. The Holy Spirit will speak through you.

12Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Brothers will hand over their brothers to be killed. Fathers will do this to their children. Children will turn against their parents and have them killed.

13And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Everyone will hate you because you belong to me. But whoever keeps holding on to the end will be saved.

32And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

They came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to his followers, "Sit here while I pray."

33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

He took Peter, James, and John with him. He began to feel deeply troubled and full of sorrow.

34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

He said to them, "My heart is so sad I feel like I could die. Stay here and keep watch."

35And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

He walked ahead a little way and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it could be, this hard time would pass by him.

36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

He said, "Abba, Father, you can do anything. Take this cup of suffering away from me. But do what you want, not what I want."

37And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

He came back and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not stay awake for one hour?

38Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Stay awake and pray, so you are not pulled into doing wrong. Your spirit wants to do right, but your body is weak."

39And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

He went away again and prayed. He said the same words as before.

40And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

He came back and found them sleeping again. Their eyes were very heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

He came back a third time. He said, "Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough. The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being handed over to sinful men.

42Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Get up. Let's go. Look, the man who is handing me over is here."

1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

One day Jesus stood by a lake called Gennesaret. A crowd pushed close to hear God's message.

2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

He saw two boats resting at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had gotten out and were washing their nets.

3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Jesus got into Simon's boat. He asked Simon to push out a little way from the shore. Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

When Jesus finished talking, He said to Simon, "Go out where the water is deep. Let your nets down to catch fish."

5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Simon said, "Teacher, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because You say so, I will let the nets down."

6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

They did it, and they caught so many fish that their nets started to rip.

7And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

They waved to their friends in the other boat to come help. The friends came, and both boats got so full they began to sink.

8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

When Simon Peter saw this, he knelt down in front of Jesus. He said, "Go away from me, Lord. I am a man who does wrong."

9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

He was amazed at how many fish they caught. So were all the men with him.

10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, worked with Simon, and they were amazed too. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will gather people instead of fish."

11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

They brought their boats to shore. Then they left everything behind and went with Jesus.

51And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

The time was coming for Jesus to be taken up to heaven. So he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem.

52And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

He sent messengers ahead of him. They went into a village in Samaria to get things ready for him.

53And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

But the people there would not welcome him. This was because he was heading for Jerusalem.

54And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

His followers James and John saw this. They said, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to burn them up, as Elijah did?"

55But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Jesus turned and told them they were wrong. He said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you have."

56For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

"The Son of Man did not come to destroy people's lives. He came to save them." Then they went on to another village.

7Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

Then came the day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. On that day the Passover lamb was killed.

8And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

Jesus sent Peter and John. He said, "Go and get the Passover meal ready for us to eat."

9And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

They asked him, "Where do you want us to get it ready?"

10And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

He said, "When you go into the city, a man will meet you. He will be carrying a jar of water. Follow him into the house he enters."

11And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

"Say to the owner of that house, 'The Teacher asks, where is the guest room? He wants to eat the Passover meal there with his followers.'"

12And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

"He will show you a big room upstairs, already set up. Get the meal ready there."

13And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

They went and found everything just as Jesus had said. So they got the Passover meal ready.

12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.

Then they walked back to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives. It was close to the city, only a short walk away.

13And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

They came into the city and went up to the room upstairs where they were staying. These men were there: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, and Thomas. Also Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

They all kept praying together, with one heart. The women were with them, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

1Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

Peter and John went up to the temple to pray. It was three in the afternoon.

2And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

A man there had never been able to walk. He was born that way. Every day people carried him to a temple gate called Beautiful. There he asked people for money.

3Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

He saw Peter and John about to go in. He asked them for money.

4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

Peter looked right at him, and John did too. Peter said, "Look at us!"

5And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

So the man looked at them. He thought they were going to give him something.

6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Peter said, "I have no silver or gold. But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"

7And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

Peter took him by the right hand and helped him up. Right away his feet and ankles grew strong.

8And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

He jumped up and stood on his feet. Then he walked into the temple with them. He walked and jumped and thanked God out loud.

9And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

All the people saw him walking and thanking God.

10And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

They knew he was the man who used to beg at the Beautiful Gate. They were full of wonder at what had happened to him.

11And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.

The healed man stayed close to Peter and John. All the people were amazed. They ran to them in the covered walkway called Solomon's Porch.

1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

Peter and John were still talking to the people. Then the priests came up to them. The captain of the temple guards came too. So did the Sadducees, one group of Jewish leaders.

2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

These leaders were very upset. Peter and John were teaching the people. They said that because of Jesus, dead people come back to life.

3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

So they grabbed Peter and John. It was already evening. They locked them up until the next day.

4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

But many people who heard the message believed it. The number of men grew to about five thousand.

5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

The next day the leaders met together in Jerusalem. The older leaders came. So did the scribes, the men who copied and taught God's laws.

6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

Annas the high priest was there. The high priest was the top leader at the temple. Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there too. So were many others from the high priest's family.

7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

They made Peter and John stand in the middle. Then they asked them a question. "Whose power did you use? Whose name did you use to do this?"

8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He said, "Rulers and older leaders of the people,

9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

you are asking us about a kind thing we did. A man who could not walk was made well. You want to know how it happened.

10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Here is what all of you should know. All the people of Israel should know it too. This man is standing here well again. It happened by the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You put Jesus on a cross to die. But God raised him back to life.

11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

The Bible talks about builders who threw away a stone. You leaders are those builders, and Jesus is that stone. Now that stone holds up the whole building.

12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

No one else can save us. God has given people no other name that saves us."

13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

The leaders saw how brave Peter and John were. They knew these were plain men without special schooling. That surprised them. They also realized these men had been with Jesus.

14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

The healed man was standing right there with them. So the leaders had nothing to say.

15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

They told Peter and John to step outside the meeting room. Then the leaders talked it over.

16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

They said, "What should we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about the amazing thing they did. We cannot say it did not happen.

17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

But we must stop this news from spreading. Let us warn them strongly. They must not speak to anyone in this name again."

18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

So they called them back in. They ordered them never to speak or teach in Jesus' name.

19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

But Peter and John answered them. "You decide what is right in God's eyes. Should we obey you instead of God?

20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

We saw these things and heard them. We simply cannot stop talking about them."

21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

The leaders warned them some more and then let them go. They could not find a way to punish them. All the people were thanking God for what had happened.

22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

The man who was healed was more than forty years old.