The Bible in Basic English BBE
Good News Translation GNT
1 And it came about that when Jesus had come to the end of giving these orders to his twelve disciples, he went away from there, teaching and preaching in their towns.
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When Jesus finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he left that place and went off to teach and preach in the towns near there.
2 Now when John had news in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples
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When John the Baptist heard in prison about the things that Christ was doing, he sent some of his disciples to him.
3 To say to him, Are you he who is to come, or are we waiting for another?
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"Tell us," they asked Jesus, "are you the one John said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?"
4 And Jesus, answering, said to them, Go and give news to John of the things which you are seeing and hearing:
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Jesus answered, "Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing:
5 The blind see; those who were not able to, are walking; lepers are made clean; those who were without hearing, now have their ears open; the dead come to life again, and the poor have the good news given to them.
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the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor.
6 And a blessing will be on him who has no doubts about me.
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How happy are those who have no doubts about me!"
7 And when they were going away, Jesus, talking of John, said to all the people, What went you out into the waste land to see? a tall stem moving in the wind?
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While John's disciples were leaving, Jesus spoke about him to the crowds: "When you went out to John in the desert, what did you expect to see? A blade of grass bending in the wind?
8 But what went you out to see? a man delicately clothed? Those who have fair robes are in kings' houses.
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What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in fancy clothes? People who dress like that live in palaces!
9 But why did you go out? to see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
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Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet.
10 This is he of whom it has been said, See, I send my servant before your face, who will make ready your way before you.
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For John is the one of whom the scripture says: "God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.'
11 Truly I say to you, Among the sons of women there has not been a greater than John the Baptist: but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist till now, the kingdom of heaven is forcing its way in, and men of force take it.
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From the time John preached his message until this very day the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks, and violent men try to seize it.
13 For all the prophets and the law were in force till John.
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Until the time of John all the prophets and the Law of Moses spoke about the Kingdom;
14 And if you are able to see it, this is Elijah who was to come.
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and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted.
15 He who has ears, let him give ear.
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Listen, then, if you have ears!
16 But what comparison may I make of this generation? It is like children seated in the market-places, crying out to one another,
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"Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group shouts to the other,
17 We made music for you and you did not take part in the dance; we gave cries of sorrow and you made no signs of grief.
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"We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn't cry!'
18 For John came, taking no food or drink, and they say, He has an evil spirit.
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When John came, he fasted and drank no wine, and everyone said, "He has a demon in him!'
19 The Son of man has come feasting, and they say, See, a lover of food and wine, a friend of tax-farmers and sinners! And wisdom is judged to be right by her works.
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When the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and everyone said, "Look at this man! He is a glutton and wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts!' God's wisdom, however, is shown to be true by its results."
20 Then he went on to say hard things to the towns where most of his works of power were done, because they had not been turned from their sins.
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The people in the towns where Jesus had performed most of his miracles did not turn from their sins, so he reproached those towns.
21 Unhappy are you, Chorazin! Unhappy are you, Beth-saida! For if the works of power which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have been turned from their sins in days gone by, clothing themselves in haircloth and putting dust on their heads.
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"How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you too, Bethsaida! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have long ago put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on themselves, to show that they had turned from their sins!
22 But I say to you, It will be better for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judging, than for you.
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I assure you that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to the people of Tyre and Sidon than to you!
23 And you, Capernaum, were you not to be lifted up to heaven? you will go down into hell: for if the works of power which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have been here to this day.
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And as for you, Capernaum! Did you want to lift yourself up to heaven? You will be thrown down to hell! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would still be in existence today!
24 But I say to you that it will be better for the land of Sodom in the day of judging, than for you.
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You can be sure that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to Sodom than to you!"
25 At that time Jesus made answer and said, I give praise to you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have kept these things secret from the wise and the men of learning, and have made them clear to little children.
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At that time Jesus said, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned.
26 Yes, Father, for so it was pleasing in your eyes.
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Yes, Father, this was how you were pleased to have it happen.
27 All things have been given to me by my Father; and no one has knowledge of the Son, but the Father; and no one has knowledge of the Father, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will make it clear.
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"My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 Come to me, all you who are troubled and weighted down with care, and I will give you rest.
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"Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke on you and become like me, for I am gentle and without pride, and you will have rest for your souls;
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Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.
30 For my yoke is good, and the weight I take up is not hard.
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For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light."
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.