| Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. | After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, wise men traveled from the east and arrived in Jerusalem, inquiring, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw the rising of his star, and we have come to pay him homage.” |
| Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. | Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. |
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| And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. | John’s clothing was made of camel’s hair, with a leather loincloth around his waist, and his food consisted of locusts and wild honey. |
| Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. | Produce good fruit as proof of your repentance. |
| I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. | I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I am. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. |
| And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. | And a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” |
| But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. | Jesus answered, “As it is written: ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’ ” |
| From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. | From that day forward Jesus began to proclaim the message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.” |
| And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. | He said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” |
| Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. | Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. |
| Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. | Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will have their fill. |
| Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. | Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God. |
| Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. | Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. |
| Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. | Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. |
| Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. | Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and utter all kinds of calumnies against you for my sake. |
| Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. | You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, what can be done to make it salty once again? It is no longer good for anything, and thus it is cast out and trampled underfoot. |
| Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. | You are the light of the world. A city built upon a mountain cannot be hidden. |
| Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. | Nor would someone light a lamp and then put it under a basket; rather, it is placed upon a lampstand so that it may afford light to all in the house. In the same way, your light must shine so that it can be seen by others; this will enable them to observe your good works and give praise to your Father in heaven. |
| Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. | Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill them. |
| For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. | Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single letter, not even a tiny portion of a letter, will disappear from the Law until all things have been accomplished. |
| Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. | Therefore, whoever breaks even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever observes these commandments and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. |
| Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. | You have heard that it was said of old: ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that anyone who looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart. |
| And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. | If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is preferable for you to lose one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. |
| But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. | But what I tell you is this: Do not swear at all, either by heaven, since it is God’s throne, or by earth, since that is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great King. |
| But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. | All you need to do is to say ‘Yes’ if you mean ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ if you mean ‘No.’ Anything beyond this comes from the evil one. |
