18 Here is the account of the birth of Jesus Christ: when Mary, His mother, had been promised to Joseph, and before they were actually married, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 When Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, learned that she was with child, he planned to quietly annul the marriage without publicly disgracing her. 20 After having made up his mind to do this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The Child conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." 21 "She shall have a Son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." 22 All of this was done in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by His prophet who said, 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translates to mean, 'God with us.'" 24 Then Joseph woke up and did as the angel of the LORD had instructed him and took Mary as his wife. 25 However, she remained a virgin until she gave birth to her Son. And Joseph named Him Jesus.

Matthew 2 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during king Herod's reign. After this wise men came from the east to Jerusalem. 2 They asked, "Where is the One Who had been born King of the Jews? We have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him." 3 When Herod heard this he was troubled, as was all of Jerusalem. 4 Calling together the chief priests and scribes of the people, Herod asked, "Where will the Messiah be born." 5 They answered, "In Bethlehem of Judea. This was written by the prophet." 6 "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah. For out of you shall come forth a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel." Micah 5:2. 7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men and from them determined exactly when the star had appeared. 8 Sending them on to Bethlehem, he said to them, "Search for the Child and when you have found Him, tell me so that I may also come and worship Him."

9 So the wise men left and followed the star. They were led by it until it stopped over the place where the Child was. 10 Seeing that the star had stopped gave them great joy. 11 After coming in the house they found the Child with His mother, Mary. They fell down and worshipped Him and presented Him with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 After this they were warned by God in a dream not to go back through Jerusalem and inform Herod.

13 Then an angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Get up. Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod will search for the Child to destroy Him." 14 So Joseph got up while it was still dark, and left for Egypt with Mary and the Child. 15 They remained there until Herod had died. This fulfilled the word spoken by the LORD through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called My Son."

16 When Herod discovered that he had been tricked by the wise men who had not returned to tell him where the Child was, he became enraged. He had all the little boys two years and younger killed in Bethlehem and the surrounding vicinity. He based this on the time the wise men had said that the star had first appeared. 17 This fulfilled the word spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, 18 "a voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they were no more." Jeremiah 31:15.

19 After Herod died an angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream in Egypt and said, 20 "Get up. Take the Child and his mother back to Israel. Those who sought his life are dead." 21 So Joseph took the Child and His mother to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea he was afraid to stay in Judea. After being warned by God he left for the region of Galilee. 23 He went to dwell in Nazareth. This fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Matthew 3 - RWB Paraphrase (17 V)
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1 In those days John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness of Judah. His message was, 2 "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 John was referred to by Isaiah who said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, saying, 'Make ready the way of the LORD by making His paths straight.'" Isaiah 40:3.

4 John wore a garment made of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Jerusalem and the district around the Jordan came out to hear him. 6 He was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 7 When the Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized he called them a brood of vipers and said to them, "Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" 8 "You must bear fruit in keeping with repentance." 9 "Do not suppose that you can say, 'We have Abraham as our father,' while you have not lived up to what God requires. God is able to make children of Abraham from these stones." 10 He continued by saying, "The axe is already laid at the root. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." 11 "I baptize with water for repentance. But One is coming after me Who is much greater than I. I am not worthy to touch His sandals. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire." 12 "With His winnowing fork He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor. The wheat He will place in His barn and the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire."

13 Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan and asked John to baptize Him. 14 John protested, saying, "I need to be baptized by You. Why do You ask baptism of me?" 15 Jesus answered him, saying, "Please do as I have asked. This is how we will fulfill all righteousness." So John agreed. 16 Immediately after Jesus was baptized the heavens opened and John saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and light upon Jesus. 17 A voice out of heaven was heard, saying, "This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased."

Matthew 4 - RWB Paraphrase (25 V)
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1 After His baptism Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and nights and He became hungry. 3 The tempter came to Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread." 4 But Jesus answered and said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God."

5 Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city and stood Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning You. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.'." 7 Jesus said to him, "It is also written that you shall not put the LORD your God to the test."

8 Then the devil took Jesus to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 Then he said to Jesus, "I will give You everything You see if You will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the LORD your God and serve only Him." 11 So the devil left Him and angels came and ministered to Him.

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison He went to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth He and settled in Capernaum, by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet had said: 15 the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light. To upon them which sat in the land of the shadow of death a light has shown. Isaiah 9:2.

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 18 As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will teach you to fish for men." 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

21 Continuing on from there He saw two other brothers, James and John, sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father mending nets. Jesus called them. 22 They too immediately left their father and followed Him.

23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people. 24 News of Him spread throughout all Syria. People suffering from various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics and paralytics, were brought to Him and He healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed Him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and beyond the Jordan.

Matthew 5 - RWB Paraphrase (48 V)
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1 Seeing the multitudes, Jesus went up and sat on a mountain and His disciples came to Him. 2 He began to teach them, saying,
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, falsely accusing you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be happy, for you have a great reward in heaven. The prophets before you were persecuted in the same way.

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it get its saltiness back? Its only value is to be thrown on the path and walked on." 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." 15 "No one lights a lamp and then places it where it cannot give light. Instead, it is placed where it will light the whole house." 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven."

17 "Do not think that I came to do away with the Law, or the prophets. I came to fulfill them." 18 "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away, not even the smallest part of the Law shall pass away until all is accomplished." 19 "Anyone who breaks the smallest of the commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever keeps and teaches them, shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." 20 "Unless your righteousness is greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."

21 "You have heard that the people of old were told, you shall not murder, lest you be liable to the court." 22 "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of being judged a murderer. Whoever says to his brother, you good-for-nothing, shall be liable before the council. Saying to someone, you fool, shall make him in danger of hell fire."

23 "When you present your offering at the altar, and then remember that your brother has something against you," 24 "leave your offering by the altar and go reconcile with your brother. Then come and present your offering."

25 "When you have given someone cause to take you to court, make friends on the way to court so that he will not hand you over to the judge so that you then end up in prison." 26 "Then you will not get out until you have paid the last cent."

27 "You have heard it said that you shall not commit adultery," 28 "but I say that when a person looks at a woman with lust he has already committed adultery with her in his heart." 29 "If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It will be better to lose your eye now then for your whole body to be thrown into hell." 30 "If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you. It is better to lose a part of your body now than for your whole body to go into hell." 31 "It has been said, 'Whoever sends his wife away should give her a certificate of divorce.'" 32 "But I say that everyone who divorces his wife, except for unfaithfulness, makes her commit adultery, as well as the one who marries her."

33 "Again, you have heard that the people of old were told, you shall not make false vows, but that you must fulfill your vows to the LORD." 34 "But I say to you, make no oath, either by heaven, for it is God's throne," 35 "or by the earth, for it is His footstool. Neither make a vow by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King." 36 "You shall not make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black." 37 "Just let your statement be yes, or no. Anything in addition to this is evil."

38 "You have heard it said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'" 39 "But I say that you should not resist an evil person. Whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn your other cheek to him." 40 "If someone wants to sue you for your coat, give him your shirt as well."

41 "When someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles." 42 "Give to him who asks and do not turn away from someone who wants to borrow from you." 43 "You have heard that you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy." 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." 45 "This way you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good. He sends rain on the just and the unjust." 46 "If you only love those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even the tax collectors do that." 47 "If you only greet your brothers, that is not so great. Even the Gentiles do that much." 48 "So you are to be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Matthew 6 - RWB Paraphrase (34 V)
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1 "Be sure you do not practice your righteousness to be noticed by men. This will keep your Father in heaven from rewarding you." 2 "When you give to the poor, do not do it in a way to receive honor. If you receive honor from men it will be your only reward." 3 "When you give to the poor do not let you left hand know what your right hand is doing." 4 "When you give in secret your Father in heaven will see what you do and reward you."

5 "When You pray do not pray to be seen praying, or else being seen will be your only reward." 6 "Instead, pray to your Father in a place where you will not be seen. Then your Father will hear and reward you." 7 "When you pray do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do. Many words do not make a prayer better." 8 "So do not do this. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask."

9 "Pray in this manner: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name." 10 "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." 11 "Give us the bread we need for today." 12 "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive those in debt to us." 13 "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever."

14 "For if you forgive the transgressions of others, your Father in heaven will forgive you." 15 "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."

16 "When you fast, do not do it for appearance sake. Your only reward will be that others noticed that you are fasting." 17 "Rather, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face." 18 "This way your fasting will not be noticed by men, but instead by your Father Who will reward you."

19 "Do not save up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, or thieves break in and steal." 20 "Instead, store your treasure in heaven where it will be safe." 21 "Your heart will be where you keep your treasure."

22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is clear, your body will be full of light." 23 "If your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If you are filled with darkness, how very dark it is!"

24 "No one can serve two masters. He will always love one and hate the other, no matter which one he chooses to love. You cannot serve God and wealth." 25 "So do not worry about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about what you will wear. Life is more than food, drink, or clothing." 26 "See how the birds have what they need without planting, reaping or storing in barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them and you are certainly worth more than the birds."

27 "Can you add a single hour to your life by worry?" 28 "Why worry about clothing? See how the lilies of the field grow. They neither toil nor spin," 29 "yet I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these." 30 "So if God clothes the grass with such splendor, even though it is alive today and burned tomorrow, will He not cloth you much better? You have too little faith!"

31 "Therefore do not worry about what you will eat or drink, or what you will wear." 32 "The Gentiles eagerly seek these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need all these things." 33 "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." 34 "Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough of its own trouble."

Matthew 7 - RWB Paraphrase (29 V)
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1 "Do not judge and you will not be judged." 2 "For you will be judged in the way you judge. By your own standard you will be measured." 3 "Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but do not notice the log in your own eye?" 4 "How can you offer to remove the speck in his brother's eye while there is a large piece of wood in your own eye?" 5 "Don't be a hypocrite. Remove the obstruction from your own eye before you offer to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

6 "Never give what is holy to dogs. And do not throw pearls to swine. They will only trample it under foot before they turn on you and tear you to pieces."

7 "Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you." 8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

9 "Is there a man among you who when his son asks for bread will hand him a stone?" 10 "Or if he asks for a fish, will he give his son a snake?" 11 "If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him."

12 "Always treat people the way you want to be treated. This is what the law and the prophets are all about." 13 "Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and its path is broad. Many follow this way." 14 "The gate that leads to life is small and its path is narrow. Few find it."

15 "Beware of false prophets who look like sheep but actually are hungry wolves." 16 "You can identify them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorns bushes, nor figs from thistles." 17 "Every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit." 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit." 19 "Every tree that does not produce fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." 20 "So the rule is, you will know people by their fruits."

21 "Not everyone who calls Me Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does My Father's will." 22 "In that day many will say to Me, Lord, didn't we prophesy, cast out devils and perform many miracles in Your name?" 23 "But I will answer them, saying, 'Depart from Me. I never knew you, for you practiced lawlessness.'"

24 "Those who hear My words, and acts on them, may be compared to the wise man who built his house on the rock." 25 "The rains fell and the floods came, the winds blew and beat against the house. Yet it did not fall because it had the rock for its foundation." 26 "Those that hear My words and do not act on them, will be like the man who built his house on the sand." 27 "The rains fell, the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon the house and it fell apart."

28 Jesus finished speaking and the crowds were amazed at His teaching. 29 He taught them with authority, which was different from the way their scribes taught.

Matthew 8 - RWB Paraphrase (34 V)
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1 When Jesus came down from the mountain many people followed Him.

2 A leper came and bowed down to Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." 3 Jesus stretched out His hand and said, "I am willing. Be clean." And immediately his leprosy was gone. 4 Jesus then said, "Do not tell anyone. First go and show yourself to the priest and present the offering specified by Moses."

5 When Jesus entered Capernaum a centurion came to Him and implored Him, 6 saying, "Lord, my servant is paralyzed and very uncomfortable." 7 Jesus said, "I will come and heal him." 8 But the centurion said, "Lord, I am not worthy for you to enter my house. Just say the word and my servant will be healed." 9 I am a man under authority and I have soldiers under me. I tell one of them to do something and he does it. 10 When Jesus heard this, He marveled, and said, "I have not found this kind of faith in all of Israel." 11 "I tell you, many will come from outside of Israel to eat with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in heaven." 12 "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness where there will be bitter weeping and exceeding unhappiness." 13 Then Jesus told the centurion that his request would be done for him just as he had believed. And his servant was healed at that very moment.

14 Jesus came to Peter's home and found Peter's mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand the fever left her. Then she got up and ministered to Him.

16 As evening came the people brought many who were demon possessed to Him. He cast out the spirits and healed all who were ill. 17 This fulfilled the words spoken by Isaiah: He took our infirmities and carried our diseases.

18 Jesus saw the crowd around Him and He gave orders to go over to the other side of the sea. 19 There a scribe came to Him saying, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." 20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds their nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest His head." 21 Another of the disciples said to Him, Lord permit me to tarry until my father has been buried. 22 But Jesus replied, "Follow Me and let the dead bury their own dead."

23 Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. 24 While they were out in the lake a great storm came up. Waves were breaking over the boat, but Jesus was asleep. 25 The disciples woke Him up, saying, "Lord save us. We are perishing." 26 He said to them, "Why are you afraid. Your faith is too small." Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging seas, and everything became perfectly calm. 27 The men marveled saying, "What kind of Man is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him."

28 When they came to the other side of the lake, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon possessed men who lived in the tombs came out to meet Him. Their violent behaviour kept everyone away from the place. 29 They cried out, saying, "Why has the Son of God come to us? Have you come to torment us before the appointed time?" 30 There was a herd of pigs feeding some distance away from them. 31 The demons began begging Him, saying, "If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of pigs." 32 Jesus said, "Go!" And they came out of the men and entered the pigs. This caused the entire herd of pigs to rush down a steep bank into the sea where they were drowned. 33 The herdsmen ran away to the city and reported everything that had happened to the demoniacs and the pigs. 34 The whole city came out to meet Jesus and begged Him to leave their region.

Matthew 9 - RWB Paraphrase (38 V)
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1 Jesus got into a boat to cross over to His own city. 2 When He got there some people brought a paralytic lying on a bed to Him. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, your sins are forgiven." 3 Some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4 Jesus knew their thoughts and said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?" 5 "Which do you think is easier? To say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?'" 6 "That you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," He then turned to the paralytic and said, "Get up. Take your bed and go home." 7 And the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowds saw this, they were amazed and glorified God, because He had given such authority to this Man.

9 As Jesus went on from that place, He saw a man named Matthew sitting in the tax collector's booth. He said to him, "Follow Me!" And Matthew got up and followed Him.

10 There was a time when Jesus reclined at a table where many tax collectors and sinners had come to dine with Him and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this they asked His disciples why their Teacher ate with tax collectors and sinners? 12 When Jesus heard of this question, He said, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but those who are sick." 13 "Now, go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

14 The disciples of John came to Jesus and asked, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 Jesus replied, "The attendants of the bridegroom do not mourn while the bridegroom is with them, do they? The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast." 16 "No one patches an old garment with unshrunk cloth. It they do, the patch pulls away from the garment and the result is worse than before the repair." 17 "Neither do people put new wine in old wineskins. Doing this makes the wine skins burst. Then the wine is lost and the wineskins ruined. New wine goes into new wineskins for good results."

18 While He spoke these things, a synagogue official came to Him and bowed before Him, saying, "My daughter has just died. Come and lay your hand on her, that she may live." 19 Jesus got up and followed him and so did His disciples. 20 A woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up from behind in the crowd to touch the fringe of His cloak. 21 She had decided that if she could just touch His garment, she would be made well. 22 Jesus turned and seeing her said, "Daughter, be of good courage. Your faith has made you well." And the woman was indeed well.

23 As Jesus came to the official's house, He saw flute players and a disorderly noisy crowd. 24 He told them to leave because the girl had not died. She was sleeping. They began to laugh at Him. 25 When the crowd had been sent out of the house, He went in and taking her by the hand, the girl got up. 26 News of what had happened spread throughout the land.

27 As Jesus went on from that place, two blind men followed Him, crying out, "Son of David! Have mercy on us." 28 When He entered a house, the blind men came close to Him. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to heal you?" They answered, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then He touched their eyes and said, "What happens to you depends on your faith." 30 Then their eyes were opened. Jesus sternly warned them not to tell anyone about what had been done for them. 31 But they went out telling everyone everywhere they went.

32 As they left that place, a man was brought to Him. He was possessed by a demon and could not speak. 33 After the demon had been cast out the man was able to speak. The crowds were amazed, and said, "We have never seen anything like this in Israel." 34 But the Pharisees were saying, "He casts out demons by the ruler of demons."

35 Jesus was making a circuit of all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing every kind of disease and sickness. 36 He felt compassion for the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Looking at the people He said, "The harvest is plentiful but there are too few workers." 38 "Pray that the LORD of the harvest will send workers to harvest His fields."

Matthew 10 - RWB Paraphrase (42 V)
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1 Jesus called His twelve disciples unto Him and gave them power over unclean spirits. They were then able to cast them out and heal every kind of sickness.

2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles: Simon, also called Peter, Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, John his brother, 3 Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, 4 Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot, the one who would betray Him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out. He instructed them not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans. 6 Instead they were to seek out the lost sheep of Israel. 7 He told them to preach, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." 8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons. You have received freely. Give freely." 9 "Do not be concerned about having money for your trip." 10 "You will not need a bag, or an extra coat, nor extra sandals or staff. A worker is worthy of support." 11 "When you enter a city or village, ask around as to who is worthy and stay at his house until you leave the city." 12 "When you enter a house, give it your commendation." 13 "If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. And if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you." 14 "Whoever does not receive you or heed your words, as you leave the house and the city, shake the dirt off your feet." 15 "The truth is, in the Day of Judgment, Sodom and Gomorrah will have it better than that city." 16 "I am sending you out as sheep surrounded by wolves. Be shrewd as serpents and harmless as doves." 17 "Beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues." 18 "You will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles." 19 "And when they hand you over, do not be concerned about what to say. Words will be given to you when you need them." 20 "It will not be you who speaks, but the Spirit of your Father in heaven speaking through you." 21 "A brother will betray his brother, delivering him to his death. A father will betray his child. Children will also rise up against their parents causing their death." 22 "You will be hated by every one because of My name, but those who endure to the end will be saved." 23 "When you are persecuted in one city, flee to another. You will not finish going throughout the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes."

24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master." 25 "It is enough if he is like his teacher and the slave like his master. If they call the head of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they slander the members of his household!" 26 "These people are not to be feared. Anything concealed will be eventually revealed." 27 "What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light. What you hear whispered, proclaim from the house tops." 28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who is able to kill body and soul in hell." 29 "Haven't you noticed two sparrows being sold for a penny? Even though they are of such little worth, your Father notices when one of them falls to the ground." 30 "He also knows the number of hairs on your head." 31 "So do not question His concern for you. You are of more value than many sparrows."

32 "Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will confess before My Father Who is in heaven." 33 "And whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."

34 "Never suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth. What I stand for will result in the wielded sword." 35 "I came to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." 36 "A man's enemies will be members of his own household." 37 "He who loves a family member more than Me is not worthy of Me." 38 "And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." 39 "The one who finds his life will lose it and the one who loses his life for My sake will find it." 40 "The one who receives you is receiving Me. And when he receives Me he receives the One who sent Me." 41 "He who receives a prophet in the name of the prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of the righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward." 42 "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives a cold cup of water to one of these little ones, shall not lose his reward."

Matthew 11 - RWB Paraphrase (30 V)
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1 When Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He left that place to teach and preach in their cities. 2 John was in prison and heard of the things Jesus was doing and he sent his disciples to Him. 3 They asked Jesus, "Are You the One we have been expecting or shall we look for someone else?" 4 Jesus said, "Go tell John what you observe." 5 "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, and the lepers are cleansed. The deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have the Gospel preached to them." 6 "Blessed the one who is not offended by Me." 7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus spoke about John to the crowds. He asked them, "What were you expecting when you went to the wilderness to hear John preach? Someone like a reed blown about by the wind?" 8 "Did you expect to see a man dressed in fine clothing like those in Kings' palaces?" 9 "What then did you go out to see, a prophet? Yes, I tell you, he was more than a prophet." 10 "He is the one of whom it was written, 'Behold, I send My messenger before You to prepare the way for You.'" 11 "The truth is, no one born of women is greater than John the Baptist. Even so, the one that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than him." 12 "During his time and ours, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence because of those trying to take it by force." 13 "For all the law and the prophets looked forward to John's time." 14 "And you should realize that John is the Elijah to come." 15 "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 16 "To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing together in the market place," 17 "saying, 'We played the flute for you but you did not dance. We sang a sad song, but you would not mourn.'" 18 "For John was accused of having a demon because he was not a drinker or a big eater!" 19 "And the Son of Man has come and He eats and drinks and they accuse Him of being a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."

20 After this He began denouncing those cities where most of His miracles had been done, because they did not repent. 21 He said, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles performed in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago." 22 "I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you." 23 "Instead of being exalted to heaven, Capernaum will go down to Hades, for if the miracles witnessed by it had taken place in Sodom, that city would still be here today." 24 "I tell you that it will be more tolerable for Sodom than it will be for you." 25 Then Jesus said, "I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from those who think they know everything, while revealing it to infants." 26 "Yes Father, this is the way You wanted it."

27 "Everything has been handed over to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father. And no one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom He chooses to reveal Him." 28 Come to Me, all who are weary and weighed down with heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." 30 "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 12 - RWB Paraphrase (50 V)
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1 Jesus was passing through the grain fields with His disciples on a Sabbath day. They were hungry, so they began picking and eating the heads of grain. 2 The Pharisees watched them doing this and said to Jesus, "See how Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?" 3 He responded to their question saying, "Haven't you read what David and his companions did when they were hungry?" 4 "Remember how he entered the house of God and ate consecrated bread, which was not lawful. This bread was only for the priests." 5 "And haven't you read how the law instructs the priests to work in the temple on the Sabbath? Yet they are not breaking the law." 6 "I want to point out, something greater than the temple is here." 7 "If you had understood what it means when it says, 'I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,' then you would not have condemned the innocent." 8 "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

9 He left that place and went into a synagogue. 10 A man was there with a withered hand. The official of the synagogue asked Him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" They were looking for a way to accuse Him. 11 He asked them, "Which of you, having a sheep fall into a pit on the Sabbath will not rescue it?" 12 "A man is much more valuable than a sheep. So, yes, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then he said to the man with the withered hand, "Stretch out your hand!" When he did this his hand was restored.

14 The Pharisees went out of there and conspired together as to how to destroy Jesus. 15 Being aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed Him and He healed them all, 16 warning them not to tell anyone who had done this for them. 17 This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet had said: 18 "behold, My Servant Whom I have chosen, My beloved in Whom My soul is well pleased. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles." 19 "He will not quarrel, nor cry out. Neither will anyone hear His voice in the streets." 20 "A battered reed he will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory." 21 "And in His name the Gentiles will hope."

22 A man was brought to Jesus who was possessed by a demon. He was blind and mute. Jesus healed the man so that he could speak and see. 23 The crowds were amazed. They asked, "Can this man be the Son of David?" 24 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the rulers of demons." 25 Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus said to them, "If a kingdom is divided against itself it is destroyed. Any city or house divided against itself will fall." 26 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself and he will fall." 27 "And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Let them be your judge." 28 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

29 "How can anyone enter a strong man's house to rob him without first tying him up?" 30 "Those not with Me are against Me. Those who do not gather with Me, scatter." 31 "Any sin of blasphemy shall be forgiven people, except for the blasphemy against the Spirit. It shall not be forgiven." 32 "Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man may be forgiven, but speaking against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven, either now, or in the age to come." 33 "Either the tree and it fruit are good, or the tree and its fruit are bad. A tree is known by its fruit." 34 "You brood of vipers. How can you who are evil speak of what is good? The mouth reveals what is in the heart." 35 "A good man brings out from his good treasure, and the evil man brings from out of his evil treasure."

36 "You need to understand that for every careless word, a man must give an account in the day of judgment." 37 "By your words you will be justified or condemn."

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want You to show us a sign." 39 But He answered, saying, "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign. No sign will be given except the sign of Jonah the prophet." 40 "Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." 41 "The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment and condemn this generation because they repented when Jonah preached to them. And now, Someone greater than Jonah is here." 42 "The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment and condemn this generation, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, Someone greater than Solomon is here."

43 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, and cannot find rest," 44 "it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came. When it finds the house unoccupied, swept and in order," 45 "it goes and finds seven other unclean spirits more wicked than itself, and they live together in that house. Then the last state is worse than the first. And that is the way it will be with this generation."

46 While He was speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers were outside wanting to speak to Him. 47 Someone told Him that they wanted to talk with Him. 48 Jesus said, "Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?" 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold, My mother and My brothers!" 50 For whoever does the will of My Father Who is in heaven, is My brother and sister and mother.

Matthew 13 - RWB Paraphrase (58 V)
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1 That same day Jesus went out of the house to sit by the sea side. 2 Large crowds came to be near Him. So He got into a boat and sat down while the crowds stayed on the beach.

3 He taught them many things in parables. He said, "Behold, the sower went out to sow." 4 "As he sowed, some seed fell next to the road. The birds came and ate it." 5 "Some of the seed fell in rocky places that had little soil. With no depth to the soil this seed sprouted quickly." 6 "Its roots did not go deep, and when the sun came up they were scorched and withered." 7 "Still other seed fell among the thorns, and were choked out by them." 8 "But some of the seed fell on good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundred fold, some sixty and some thirty." 9 "Let him who has ears hear what I saying."

10 The disciples came to Him afterwards and said, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" 11 Jesus answered, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. But they have not been granted this." 12 "For whoever has, even more shall be given to him. And he who does not have, even that which he has shall be taken away." 13 "This is why I speak to them in parables. They see, but do not see. They hear but do not hear, for they lack understanding."

14 "Isaiah's prophecy applies to them where it says, 'You keep hearing, but you do not understand. You keep seeing but you will not perceive.'" 15 "For the heart of this people has become dull. With their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they would see and hear, and understand with their heart and return to Me. Then I would heal them." 16 "But your eyes are blessed, because they see. And your ears are blessed because they hear." 17 "I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men wanted to see what you see and hear what you hear, but they were not granted this."

18 "Here is the explanation of the parable of the sower." 19 "When a person hears the words of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one come and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is illustrated by the seed sown by the roadside which the birds ate." 20 "The seed sown on rocky ground represents those who hear and receive it with great joy." 21 "Yet because they do not have deep roots, when affliction or persecution comes as a result of what they have heard, they immediately fall away." 22 "The seed that falls among thorns represents those who hear the word, but the worries and cares of the world choke out the word and they becomes unfruitful." 23 "And the seed sown on good soil represents those who hear the word and understands it. These will bear fruit, some a hundred fold, some sixty fold and some thirty fold."

24 Jesus presented another parable to them. He said, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man sowing good seed in his field." 25 "While everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds in with the wheat." 26 "When the wheat sprouted and was about to put out heads of grain, the weeds became evident." 27 "His workers came to him asking, 'Sir, you sowed good seed. Where did the weeds come from?'" 28 "He answered them saying, 'An enemy has done this.' They said, 'Shall we pull the weeds?'" 29 "He said, 'No. You might uproot the wheat while pulling the weeds.'" 30 "Let them grow together and at the harvest the reapers will gather the weeds into bundles and burned them. Then the wheat will be gathered into my barn."

31 He presented another parable, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed sown in a field." 32 "It is smaller than other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the other garden plants, for the birds can make nests in."

33 He spoke yet another parable to them."The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman hides in three measures of flour so that all the flour becomes leavened."

34 Everything Jesus spoke to the crowds He spoke in parables. 35 This fulfilled what the prophet had said: "I will open My mouth in parables. I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world."

36 After this Jesus sent the crowds away and entered a house. His disciples came to Him and asked Him to explain the parable of the weeds in the field. 37 He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man." 38 "The field is the world. The good seed are the sons of the kingdom, and the weeds are the sons of the evil one." 39 "The enemy who sowed the weeds is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are the angels." 40 "Just as the weeds are gathered and burned, so it shall be at the end of the age." 41 "The Son of Man will send His angels to gather out of his kingdom every stumbling block and all who break the law." 42 "They will be burned in the furnace which will be a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth." 43 "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear."

44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure which a man found hidden in a field. In order to own the treasure he hid it and sold everything he had so that he could buy the field and the treasure in it."

45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls." 46 "When he finds the one pearl of surpassing value, he sells everything he has in order to obtain that one pearl."

47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, bringing up all kinds of fish." 48 "When the net is full, it is drawn up on the beach and they sit down and gather the good fish into containers and throw away what is bad." 49 "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and take the wicked from among the righteous." 50 "The wicked will be thrown into the furnace which will be a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth."

51 "Have you understood everything I have said?" They answered, "Yes." 52 Then Jesus said, "Every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out his treasure, both new and old."

53 After finishing these parables, Jesus left that place. 54 He came to His home town and began teaching in the synagogue. They were astonished at his teaching, saying, "Where did He get His wisdom and these miraculous powers?" 55 "Isn't He the carpenter's son. Isn't his mother called Mary and His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?" 56 "His sisters are also here with us. Where did this man get His wisdom and power?" 57 Because of this they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet has honor everywhere but in his home town and within his own household." 58 And because of their unbelief, He did not do many miracles there.

Matthew 14 - RWB Paraphrase (36 V)
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1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the amazing things Jesus was doing. 2 He told his servants that this had to be John the Baptist who had risen from the dead. This would explain the miraculous powers at work in him. 3 Previously Herod had arrested John and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. 4 For John had been telling Herod that it was not lawful for him to have his brother's wife. 5 Herod wanted to put John to death but he feared the crowd because they believed that he was a prophet.

6 Now when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased him. 7 He was so pleased that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 After she had consulted with her mother she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. 9 This grieved Herod but because of his oath and his dinner guests, he commanded that her request be granted, 10 and He had John beheaded in prison. 11 Then his head brought on platter and given to the girl who then gave it to her mother.

12 John's disciples came and took the body away and buried it. Then they reported this to Jesus. 13 When Jesus heard about what had happened to John, He left by ship to a solitary place to be by Himself. But when the people heard where He had gone, they followed on foot from the cities.

14 As Jesus went ashore He saw a large crowd. Feeling compassion for them He healed their sick. 15 That evening the disciples came to Him and said, "This is a desolate place and the hour is late. Send the crowds away so they may go into the villages and find food." 16 But Jesus said, "They can stay here if you give them something to eat!" 17 They said, "All we have is five loaves and two fish." 18 He said, "Bring them to Me." 19 He had the people sit on the grass, and taking up the five loaves and two fish, He looked up to heaven and blessed the food. Then He began to break the loaves and give the pieces to the disciples. They then gave the pieces to the crowd. 20 Everyone ate and was satisfied. The disciples picked up the leftovers and filled twelve baskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. 22 Immediately Jesus commanded His disciples to get in the boat and head for the other side without Him. He would dismissed the crowds.

23 After sending the crowd away, Jesus went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. It was evening and He was alone. 24 Meanwhile the boat with the disciples was a long way from shore and was being battered by the storm's waves. 25 In the fourth watch of the night Jesus came toward them walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the water they were terrified, and cried out saying, "It is a ghost." 27 Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, "Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid." 28 Peter said, "If it is You Lord, bid me come to You on the water." 29 Jesus said, "Come!" Peter got out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus. 30 Seeing the wind whipping up the waves he became frightened. As he began to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand, and taking hold of Peter, said, "Your faith is too small. Why do you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And the disciples worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son."

34 When they had crossed over to the other side they came to Gennesaret. 35 Recognizing Jesus, the men of that place sent word throughout the district and people brought their sick to Him, 36 begging Him to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. Those who did this were healed.

Matthew 15 - RWB Paraphrase (39 V)
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1 Some scribes and Pharisees came from Jerusalem, and asked Jesus, 2 "why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before they eat?" 3 He then asked them, "Why do you transgress the commandments of God in order to keep your traditions?" 4 "For God said, 'Honor your father and mother, and he who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.'." 5 "But you say that a person may say to his parents, 'What I would have given to you I am giving instead to God." 6 "You say that he does not have to honor his father and mother and in this way you invalidate God's word in order to support your tradition." 7 "You hypocrites. Isaiah correctly prophesied of you:" 8 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. 9 "They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrine the precepts of men."

10 Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, "Hear and understand:" 11 that which enters the mouth does not defile a man, but the words he speaks is what defiles him.

12 The disciples came to Jesus and said, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard what You said?" 13 Jesus replied, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be pulled up." 14 "Let them be. They are blind leaders leading the blind. They and those who follow them will fall into the ditch."

15 Peter asked Him to explain the parable to them. 16 Jesus said, "So you do not understand either?" 17 "Don't you see that everything that goes into the mouth passes through the stomach and is eliminated?" 18 "But the words that come out of the mouth come from the heart. These defile a man." 19 "For the heart is the source of all evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and slander." 20 "These defile a man. But eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

21 Jesus withdrew from there into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that region cried out to Jesus, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David. My daughter is cruelly possessed by a demon." 23 When He did not respond to her cry for help, his disciples tried to get Him to send her away because she was shouting. 24 Instead, Jesus answered her, saying, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." 25 But she came close and bowed down before Him, and said, "Lord, help me!" 26 He answered, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 27 "But," she replied, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." 28 Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great. What you have asked shall be done for you." And her daughter was healed at that moment.

29 Jesus departed from that place going along the Sea of Galilee. He went up on a mountain and sat down. 30 Large crowds came to Him, bringing their lame, crippled, blind, mute and many others. They laid them at His feet and He healed them. 31 The crowds marveled to see each one cured of his malady. And they glorified the God of Israel.

32 And Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I feel compassion for the people because they have stayed with Me three days without food. I do not want to send them away hungry, lest some faint on the way home." 33 The disciples asked, "Where can we get enough bread for such a large crowd in this desolate place?" 34 Jesus asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." 35 Then Jesus directed the people to sit down on the ground. 36 Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks. Then He broke the bread and the fish and gave them to the disciples and the disciples gave them to the people. 37 Everyone ate and was satisfied. Picking up what had not been eaten, the disciples filled seven baskets. 38 There were four thousand men who ate, besides the women and children. 39 After sending the crowds away, Jesus got into a boat and crossed over to the coasts of Magdala.

Matthew 16 - RWB Paraphrase (28 V)
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1 The Pharisees and the Sadducees came to ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. 2 But He replied by saying, "When it is evening and the sky is red you say there will be fair weather." 3 "And if there is a red sky in the morning, you say there will be a storm. You know how to read the signs in the sky, but you are unable to discern the signs of the times." 4 "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign. No sign will be given except the sign of Jonah." After that He went away and left them.

5 The disciples had come across the sea without bringing any bread. 6 So when Jesus said to them, "Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees," 7 the disciples asked each other if He had said this because they had forgotten to bring bread. 8 But Jesus, aware of their conversation, said, "You men of little faith. Why do you discuss whether or not you have bread?" 9 "Don't you remember the five loaves that fed five thousand how many baskets full you picked up afterward?" 10 "What about the seven loaves that fed four thousand, and how much was left over that time as well?" 11 "Why don't you understand what I meant when I said to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees?" 12 "Then it was that they realized that when He talked about the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees He was referring to their teachings."

13 As Jesus came to the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others say Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets." 15 Then He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Then Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father in heaven." 18 "And I say to you that you are Peter and upon this rock I will build My church. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it." 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he warned the disciples that they should not tell anyone that He was the Christ. 21 And from that time on Jesus began to tell them that He must suffer many things in Jerusalem at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the scribes. They would kill Him but afterwards He would be raised on the third day.

22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Lord, this must not happen to You." 23 But Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get behind me Satan. You are a stumbling block to Me. You have not set you mind on what God wants."

24 Jesus said to His disciples, "Anyone wanting to follow Me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me." 25 "By trying to save his life, he will lose it. But whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." 26 "What profit is there in gaining the whole world and losing one's own soul? What is a man's soul worth to him?" 27 "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels. And at that time He will repay every man according to his works." 28 "The truth is, some standing here will see the Son of Man coming in His glory before tasting death."

Matthew 17 - RWB Paraphrase (27 V)
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1 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John, up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 There they watched as He was transfigured. His face shown like the sun, and his garments became white with light. 3 Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Him. 4 Peter spoke up, saying, "Lord, it is wonderful to be here. If You like I will make three tabernacles, one for each of you." 5 While he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son. In Him I am well please. Listen to what He says." 6 At the sound of this voice the disciples fell with their faces to the ground. They were very afraid.

7 Then Jesus came to them and touching them, said, "Get up, and do not be afraid." 8 They opened their eyes and looked around. They saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they came down the mountain Jesus told them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They asked Him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" 11 He answered, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things," 12 "but I say that he has already come and they did not recognize him. They did to him whatever they wanted to do. And so, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands, too." 13 Then the disciples understood He was talking about John the Baptist.

14 When they had come to a crowd, a man came to Jesus and fell down before Him. 15 He said, "Lord, have mercy on my son. He is very ill, he is out of his mind. He often falls into the fire and at other times into the water." 16 "I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him." 17 Jesus said, "How long shall I remain with you and put up with your unbelief and perverted ways? Bring him to Me." 18 Jesus then rebuked the demon and he came out of the boy and the boy was immediately cured. 19 Later the disciples asked Jesus, "Why were we unable to cast out the demon?" 20 He said, "Because of your unbelief. Even faith as small as a mustard seed will allow you to tell a mountain to move. Nothing will be impossible." 21 "But this kind of miracle comes only with much prayer and fasting."

22 While they were in Galilee Jesus told the, "The Son of Man would be delivered into the hands of men." 23 "They will kill Him and then He will be raised on the third day." Hearing this they were deeply troubled.

24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected tribute money came to Peter and asked, "Does your Master pay tribute?" 25 Peter said, "Yes." Then when he came to the house Jesus said to him, "What do you think, Simon? Who pays tax to the kings of the earth? Their sons or strangers?" 26 Peter answered, "Strangers." Jesus then said, "So the sons are exempt." 27 Then He added, "Just so they are not offended, go to the sea and throw in a hook. When you have caught a fish you will find a shekel in it mouth. Take that and give it for both of us."

Matthew 18 - RWB Paraphrase (35 V)
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1 At this time the disciples asked Jesus, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 He called a child and set him in front of them. 3 He then said, "The truth is, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." 4 "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." 5 "And whoever receives a child like this in My name receives Me." 6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to be drowned in the depth of the sea." 7 "Woe to the world and its stumbling blocks. Stumbling blocks are inevitable. But woe to the one who devises them." 8 "If some part of you causes you to stumble, cut it off and be rid of it. Better to be crippled in this life than to be cast into the unquenchable fire." 9 "If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. One eye in this life is better than two eyes when you are cast into the fiery hell." 10 "Do not despise one of these little ones. Their angels in heaven watch over them and see the face of My Father."

11 "The Son of Man has come to save what was lost." 12 "What does a man do who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them? Will he not leave the ninety nine and search everywhere for the one that is lost?" 13 "On finding it he makes a greater fuss over it than the ninety nine which were not lost." 14 "So it is with your Father in heaven. It is not His will that even one of these little ones perish."

15 "If your brother sins, go to him in private and show him his fault. If he listens, you have won your brother." 16 "But if he will not listen, then take one or two others with you so that your point can be made by someone besides yourself." 17 "If he still refuses to listen, bring the matter to the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, let him be thought of as an unbeliever." 18 "I tell you the truth, what you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. And what you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 19 "If two or three of you agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven." 20 "Where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there with them."

21 Peter came to Him and asked, "Lord, when my brother sins against me, how often shall I forgive him? Seven times?" 22 Jesus replied, "Not just seven times, but seventy times seven." 23 "The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants." 24 "One of his servants owed him ten thousand talents." Each talent was worth about 3000 coins. 25 "But his servant could not pay what he owed the king, so the king commanded that he and his family be sold to collect the payment." 26 "The servant fell down in front of him and begged for time to pay back what he owed." 27 "The King had compassion and forgave his debt." 28 "Then that servant went out and found someone who owed him a hundred small coins and seizing him by the throat, demanded full payment." 29 "His fellow servant fell to the ground and begged for time to pay it all back." 30 "But the first man was unwilling to wait and had him put in prison until he could pay his debt." 31 "Some of the people who watched this happen were deeply grieved and reported it to the king." 32 "The king summoned the man and called him to account for his actions after being forgiven his very large debt." 33 "He said, "Just as mercy was shown to you, so you should have shown mercy to your fellow servant. 34 "Moved with anger the king handed him over to the authorities until the debt he had been forgiven was entirely repaid." 35 "My heavenly Father will do the same to you if you do not forgive each other from your heart."

Matthew 19 - RWB Paraphrase (30 V)
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1 When Jesus had finished these sayings, He left Galilee for the coasts of Judea beyond the Jordon. 2 Large crowds followed Him and He healed them. 3 Some Pharisees tested Him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife under any circumstance?" 4 Jesus answered, "Haven't you read that He Who created them at the beginning made them male and female?" 5 "For this reason a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife. The two then become one flesh." 6 "Because of this they are no longer two, but one flesh. What God has joined together, let no man separate." 7 They then asked, "Why did Moses say to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?" 8 Jesus said, "Because of your hard hearts Moses permitted you to divorce your wives. But it was not this way from the beginning." 9 "I can tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." 10 The disciples then said, "If this is the way it is, it would be better not to marry." 11 Jesus replied, "Only the men to whom it is given can accept that idea." 12 "There are eunuchs born that way, eunuch made that way be men and eunuchs who have made themselves that way for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let those who can, accept this."

13 Some children were brought to Jesus so that He might lay His hands on them. But the disciples tried to prevent this. 14 But Jesus said, "Do not stop the children from coming to Me. The kingdom of heaven belongs such as these."

15 After laying His hands on them, He left that place. 16 Someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" 17 Jesus replied, "Why ask Me about what is good? There is only One who is good. But if you want eternal life, keep the commandments." 18 The young man said, "Which ones?" Jesus replied, "You shall not murder, do not commit adultery, or steal. Do not bear false witness." 19 "Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." 20 The young man said to Jesus, "I have kept all of these. What am I lacking?" 21 Jesus said, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow Me." 22 When the young man heard this he went away sad, for he had much property. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "The truth is, it is very hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." 24 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." 25 The disciples were astonished to hear this and asked, "Then who can be saved?" 26 Looking at them, Jesus said, "With people it is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

27 Peter said to Jesus, "We have left everything and followed you. What will there be for us?" 28 Jesus said to all of them, "The truth is, those of you who have followed Me will sit with Me on My throne when all things are made new. And you will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." 29 "Anyone who has left houses, or family members for My sake, will receive many times over, as well as eternal life." 30 "But many who are first will be last, and many of the last will be first."

Matthew 20 - RWB Paraphrase (34 V)
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1 "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard." 2 "When he had made an agreement with them for a day's wages, he sent them out to work." 3 "Later at about nine o'clock he noticed others standing in the market place." 4 "He offer them work in his vineyard and promised to pay them a fair wage." 5 "At noon and again at three o'clock he did the same thing." 6 "At five o'clock he went out and found still others standing idle. He said to them, 'Why aren't you working today?'" 7 "They said no one has hired us. He sent them to work in the vineyard." 8 "When the day was over he had the foreman call the workers beginning with those he had hired near the end of the day." 9 "Each was given a full day's wage." 10 "When those who were hired first came for their pay, they supposed they would receive more. But they each were paid the same full day's wage." 11 "They grumbled to the landowner," 12 "saying, 'These last workers labored for only one hour and you paid them just as much as you paid us and we worked through the heat of the day.'" 13 "But the landowner answered, 'I have done you no wrong. Didn't you agree to work for the wage I gave to you?" 14 "Take your pay and go. I can give whatever I wish to whomever chooses to work for me." 15 "I have broken no law. Perhaps my generosity makes you envious." 16 "So those who come last are treated like those who come first."

17 As Jesus was about to head for Jerusalem, He gave special instruction to the twelve disciples. 18 He said, "We are going to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death." 19 "He will be handed over to the Gentiles who will mock and scourge Him before they crucify Him. But on the third day He will be raised up."

20 At this time the mother of James and John came to Jesus with her sons to make a request. 21 Jesus said, "What is your request?" She said, "Grant that my two sons will sit on thrones on either side of You in Your kingdom." 22 Looking at James and John, Jesus said, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I shall drink?" "Yes, " they said."we are able." 23 Jesus replied, "You shall drink from My cup. But who will sit next to Me is not for Me to say. My Father makes this decision." 24 When the other ten heard of this they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said to them, "Gentile rulers exercise dominion over their subjects, and their great men Lord it over them." 26 "This is not how it will be with you. Anyone who would become great shall be your servant." 27 "Whoever wants to be first shall be your slave." 28 "This is what the Son of Man is doing. He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

29 As they left Jericho a large crowd followed after them. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they began to cry out, "Son of David, have mercy us!" 31 The crowd spoke sternly to them, trying to quiet them. But they only cried more loudly, as they continued to say, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" 32 Jesus stopped and called to them, saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 33 They came to Him and said, "Lord, we want You to open our eyes." 34 Moved with compassion Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

Matthew 21 - RWB Paraphrase (46 V)
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Jesus Approaches Jerusalem As Its King
1 When they were approaching Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples, 2 with instructions to go into the opposite village where they would find a donkey tied with a colt beside her. They were to bring them to Him. 3 "If anyone questions you, tell them 'The LORD needs them' and they will let you bring them." 4 This happened to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: 5 "say to the daughter of Zion, behold your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of beast of burden." 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed. 7 Having brought the donkey and the colt, they laid their coats on them and He sat on the coats. 8 Many in the crowd spread their coats on the road. Still others cut branches from the trees and spread these on the road as well. 9 The crowds going ahead, and those behind were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD. Hosanna in the highest!"

10 When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the entire city was astir, saying, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus of Nazareth in Galilee." 12 Jesus went into the temple and drove out those who were buying and selling. He overturned the tables used by the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, "It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer. But you have made it a den for robbers."

14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple and He healed them. 15 The chief priests and the scribes saw all the wonderful things He had done. They saw the children shouting Hosanna to the Son of David, and they were indignant. 16 They said, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus answered, "Yes, and haven't you read, 'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself?'" 17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany where He spent the night.

18 In the morning He was returning to the city and was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree He came to it and found nothing but leaves on it. He said to the fig tree, "You will never bear fruit again." Immediately the tree withered. 20 Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, "How did the fig tree wither up so quickly?" 21 Jesus answered, "The truth is, if you have unwavering faith, you will do greater things than this, even telling this mountain to be thrown into the sea, and it will happen." 22 "When you pray for something and believe, you will receive it."

23 Jesus went back to the temple and was teaching. The chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him asking, "By what authority are You doing these things?" 24 Jesus replied, "I will tell you if you answer a question for Me." 25 "What was the source of John's baptism? Was it from heaven, or from men?" They reasoned that if they answered from heaven, He would ask, "Why did you not believed his message?" 26 But if they said from men, they would have the people to deal with, for the people believed John to be a prophet. 27 So they said to Jesus, "We do not know." Then Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

28 Then Jesus said, "Here is a parable for you to consider. A man had two sons. He came to the first son and said, go work in the vineyard today." 29 The first son said, "I will not go, but afterward he changed his mind and went." 30 The man asked his second son the same thing and he answered, "I will do as you have asked, but then he didn't go to the vineyard." 31 "Which of the two sons did as his father asked?" They said, "The first son." Jesus then said, "The truth is, the tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God before you." 32 "John came to you in the way of righteousness, but you did not accept his message. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes did believe. You watched all this without remorse for your lack of belief."

33 "Here is another parable: A landowner planted a vineyard, placed a wall around it and built a wine press. He built a guard tower and rented out the vineyard to those who would manage it while he went on a journey." 34 "As the time of harvest approached, he sent his servants to receive his share of the produce." 35 "Those managing the vineyard mistreated his servants, even killing one and stoning another." 36 "So the owner sent more servants and they were treated the same." 37 "He decided to send his son, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'" 38 "But when the vinegrowers saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Let's kill him and seize his inheritance.'" 39 "They took him out of the vineyard and killed him." 40 "When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinegrowers?" 41 They said, "He will destroy those wicked men and rent the vineyard out to those who will pay him when the harvest time comes."

42 Jesus said to them, "Haven't you read in the scriptures, the stone the builders rejected became the chief corner stone. This is the LORD's doing and it is wonderful to behold." 43 "I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people producing its fruit." 44 "The one who falls on this stone is broken, but the one on whom it falls is ground to bits and blows away as dust is scattered in the wind."

45 When the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that He was speaking about them, 46 and wanted to immediately seize Him. But they feared the people who considered Him to be a prophet.

Matthew 22 - RWB Paraphrase (46 V)
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1 Jesus spoke several more parables. 2 He said, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son." 3 "He sent out his servants to call those who had been invited, but they did not come." 4 "He sent still others to tell them that the best of everything had been prepared. The wedding feast was about to begin." 5 "They paid him no heed, each one going about his own business. One went to his farm and another to his business." 6 "Some of them seized his servants, mistreating them, and even killing some." 7 "The king was very angry with them, and after destroying them he set their city on fire." 8 "He then instructed his servants that since the wedding was ready and those who had been invited were not worthy," 9 "they must go out on the main roads and invite anyone they saw to the wedding feast." 10 "So his servants went out and invited everyone they saw, whether they were good or bad, until the wedding hall was filled with guests." 11 "When the king came in to look everyone over, he saw a man not dressed in the wedding clothes that had been provided." 12 "He asked the man how he had come in without the proper clothes. The man had no answer." 13 "The king had him bound and cast out into the outer darkness where there was weeping and grinding of teeth." 14 "Many are invited but few take advantage of the opportunity."

15 After this the Pharisees made plans to catch Jesus in something He said. 16 They sent their disciples to Him along with some Herodians. These said to Him, "Teacher, we know You speak the truth according to God." 17 "Tell us, is lawful to pay tribute to Caesar." 18 Jesus saw through their pretended respect and asked them, "Why do you test Me? You are only acting as though you respect My opinion." 19 "Show Me the money used to pay tribute. So they brought Him a denarius." 20 He asked them, "Whose likeness and inscription do you see on this coin?" 21 They said, "Caesar's." Then He said, "Give to Caesar what belongs to him and give to God what belongs to Him." 22 They went away amazed at His wisdom.

23 The same day some Sadducees, who say that the dead are not resurrected, came to Jesus with a question. 24 "Teacher, Moses said that if a Man dies without children his brother should marry his brother's wife and raise up children for his brother." 25 "Now there were seven brothers. The oldest of them married and died without children. So he left his wife the next oldest brother." 26 "The second also died without children and then the third, and so forth on down to the seventh brother." 27 "Last of the All the woman died." 28 "In the resurrection, whose wife will she be? Each of the brothers had been married her." 29 Jesus replied, "You are mistaken concerning the certainty of the resurrection in scripture. You do not understand the power of God." 30 "And in the resurrection they will be as the angels who do not marry." 31 "But concerning the reality of the resurrection of the dead, haven't you read what God has said?" 32 "He said, 'I Am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' He was their God, not only while they lived, but He will also be their God when they are raised up in the resurrection." 33 The crowds were astonished at His teaching. 34 This only motivated the Pharisees to find another way to bring about His downfall.

35 A lawyer among them put this question to Jesus: 36 "teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus said to him, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind." 38 "This is the greatest commandment." 39 "The second commandment is like the first. You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 40 "The entire Law and the Prophets are built on these two commandments."

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together Jesus asked them a question. 42 "Whose Son do you think Christ is?" They replied, "The Son of David." 43 He then asked, "How then does David, when speaking in the Spirit, called Him Lord, when he says," 44 "the LORD said to my Lord, sit at My right hand until I put your enemies under your feet?" 45 "If David calls Him Lord, how is He his son?" 46 No one had an answer and they did not ask Him any more questions.

Matthew 23 - RWB Paraphrase (39 V)
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1 Then Jesus said to the crowd and to His disciples: 2 "the scribes and the Pharisees sit with the authority of Moses." 3 "Do what they tell you but not what they do, for they do not practice what they preach." 4 "They place heavy burdens on people which they themselves do not carry." 5 "They do their deeds in order to be noticed. They even making their phylacteries wide and wear long tassels on their garments." 6 "Public honor is important to them." 7 "They want to be greeted with respect and called Rabbi." 8 "But you should not be called Rabbi. Only One is your teacher and you are all brothers."

9 "And do not call anyone on earth father because you have one Father Who is in heaven." 10 "Do not be called Master, for only Christ is your Master." 11 "The greatest among you must be your servant." 12 "The one who exalts himself shall be humbled. And the one who humbles himself shall be exalted."

13 "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees. You are hypocrites! You shut people away from the kingdom of heaven and you are unwilling to go in yourselves." 14 "Woe to you, for you take the houses of widows while praying long prayers. Your condemnation will be great." 15 "Woe to you, because you go to any length to make one convert who thinks like you, and he turns out twice the child of hell that you are." 16 "Woe to you. You are blind guides when you say that swearing by the gold on the temple is more binding than swearing on the temple itself." 17 "You are blind fools. Which is more important, the gold on the temple, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?" 18 "You say that swearing by the alter is not nearly as binding as swearing by the offering on the altar." 19 "You are blind for not understanding that the alter is more important than the offering." 20 "When swearing by the alter you are swear by it and everything on it." 21 "When you swear by the temple you are swearing by the temple and by Him that dwells within it." 22 "And whoever swears by heaven swears by both the throne of God and Him who sits upon it."

23 "Woe to you hypocrites. You tithe your tiny garden plants while ignoring such matters of the law as justice, mercy and faithfulness. These must be done without neglecting the tithe." 24 "You are blind guides because you strain out a gnat while swallowing a camel."

25 "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup while the inside is full of robbery and self indulgence." 26 "First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside will become clean as well." 27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you are like tombs that are beautiful outside but inside are full of dead men's bones." 28 "You appear righteous to those watching while you are actually full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." 29 "Woe to you, for you build tombs commemorating the prophets," 30 "and say to yourselves, 'Had we lived when they lived we would not have taken part in their death.'" 31 "Your lives testify that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets." 32 "You will finish filling the cup of guilt your fathers started." 33 "You are a brood of vipers. How do you think you will escape hell?" 34 "Behold, I send prophets, wise men and scribes to you. Some you will kill and some you will crucify. Some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city." 35 "Upon you will fall all the guilt of righteous blood shed, from Abel to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the alter." 36 "The truth is, recompense for all of these things will fall on this generation."

37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." 38 "Now your house is forsaken and desolate!" 39 "For I say to you, After this you will not see Me until the day you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD.'."

Matthew 24 - RWB Paraphrase (51 V)
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1 As Jesus was leaving the temple His disciples came to Him pointing out the beauty of the temple buildings. 2 He said to them, "Do you admire these buildings? The truth is, the day is coming when not one stone will be left on top of another. Everything will be torn down." 3 Later He sat on the Mount of Olives and His disciples came to Him privately, and asked, "When will these things happen? Surely it will be a sign of Your coming at the end of the age." 4 Jesus answered, "Don't let anyone deceive you." 5 "There will be many who come claiming to be Christ. And many will be mislead by them."

6 "When you hear of wars and rumors of yet more wars, do not be frightened. These must take place before the end." 7 "For nations will rise up against each other. There will be famines and earthquakes." 8 "All of this is merely the beginning of sorrows." 9 "At that time they will deliver you up to be mistreated, hated and killed by people everywhere." 10 "Because of this many will fall away. Some will betray and hate one another."

11 "There will be many false prophets who will mislead many." 12 "Lawlessness will increase and people's love will grow cold." 13 "But those who endure to the end will be saved." 14 "This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to the whole world. After that the end will come."

15 "When the abomination of desolation stands in the holy place, as spoken of by the prophet Daniel," 16 "those who are in Judea are to flee to the mountains." 17 "If they are on their housetops, they must not go down and try to save things in the house." 18 "Those in the field must not return to get their clothing." 19 "Those days will be very hard for those who are pregnant or nursing babies." 20 "Pray that your flight is not in winter or on a Sabbath."

21 "This will be the greatest tribulation since time began." 22 "Those days will be cut short for the sake of the elect."

23 "And if someone tries to tell you that the Christ is in a certain place, do not believe him." 24 "False Christs and false prophets will arise. They will manifest great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect." 25 "I am telling you of this before it happens." 26 "If someone says 'Christ is in the wilderness,' do not go out to see. The same thing if they say He is in some inner room. Do not believe it." 27 "In the same way that lightening is seen in the west when it flashes in the east, so will be coming of the Son of Man." 28 "Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."

29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light. The stars will fall from the heavens and the powers of the heavens will be shaken." 30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens. This will cause all the tribes of the earth to mourn as they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." 31 "At that time He will send His angels with the sound of a great trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from every part of the earth."

32 "So learn from the parable of the fig tree. When its branches become tender and put forth leaves, know that summer is near." 33 "When you see all these signs, know and recognize that Christ's coming is very near."

34 "As a matter of fact, this generation will not pass without seeing the fulfillment of all these things." 35 "Even if heaven and earth were to pass away, My words will not pass away." 36 "As to the day and hour of My return, not even the angels of heaven have any knowledge of this. Only My Father knows this."

37 "When the Son of Man comes, people's attitudes will be like it was in the days of Noah." 38 "They were eating and drinking right up until the flood came. They were planning their weddings as though everything would continue just as it always had." 39 "Those people were without understanding until the flood came and took them away. So it will be when the Son of Man comes back."

40 "Two men will be working in the field. One will be taken and the other left." 41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill. One will be taken and the other left."

42 "So be alert, for you do not know when your Lord will return." 43 "You may be certain that if the head of the house had known the time when the thief would come, he would surely have been ready to protect his house." 44 "Always be ready because the you can be sure the Son of Man will come at an hour you are not expecting."

45 "Who is the faithful and wise servant whose master has left him in charge of his household, to give out food at the proper time?" 46 "It is the servant whose master finds him doing just as he has been instructed. His master will bless him when he returns." 47 "And in fact, his master will put him in charge of everything."

48 "But the evil servant will think his master will be a long time in coming." 49 "He will beat his fellow servants, and drink and eat with the drunkards." 50 "Then his master will return on a day and hour he is not expecting him." 51 "And he will cut his evil servant in pieces, assigning him a place with the hypocrites, where people weep and grind their teeth."

Matthew 25 - RWB Paraphrase (46 V)
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1 "Then kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to wait for the bridegroom." 2 "Five of them were wise and five were foolish." 3 "The foolish brought no extra oil," 4 "but the wise did bring extra oil, just in case they needed more." 5 "The bridegroom took longer to come than they expected, so they slept while they waited." 6 "At midnight a shout went up, 'The bridegroom is coming. Go out and meet him.'" 7 "All ten virgins awoke and trimmed their lamps and prepared to meet the bridegroom." 8 "The foolish asked the wise to give them oil, for the oil in their lamps had burned low." 9 "But the wise said that they might not have enough if they gave any of their oil away. They said, 'Go and buy oil." 10 "While the foolish went to buy oil, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door to the feast was shut." 11 "Later the foolish came to the door trying to enter into the wedding feast." 12 "But the lord of the feast turned them away saying he did not know them." 13 "Always be ready, for you do not know the day or the hour."

14 "The kingdom of heaven is like a man about to take a long trip. Calling his servants he left them in charge of his possessions." 15 "He gave five talents to one (about $100,000), to another he gave two talents (about $40,000) and to yet another he gave one talent (about $20,000), each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey." 16 "The first servant with five talents began trading right away. He gained five more talents." 17 "The second servant with two talents gained two more talents." 18 "But the servant who had received one talent dug a hole and hid it in the ground." 19 "After a long time the master of those servants came back to settle accounts with them." 20 "The one, who had doubled his five talents to ten, brought everything to his master." 21 "His master was very pleased and made him responsible for even more than before." 22 "The second servant who had received two talents brought four to his master." 23 "His master told him he had also done well, and he put him in charge of even more." 24 "When the servant who had received the one talent came with it to his master, 'He said, I knew that you were a hard man, who gathered where he had not planted.'" 25 "I was afraid of losing your talent and I hid it in the ground so you would suffer no lose." 26 "But his master was not happy about this. He called him wicked and lazy, and said, 'You knew I wanted some gain from that which I put in your charge.'" 27 "You should have at least put the money in the bank and I could have at least had interest on it." 28 "Then he said, 'Take the talent away from him and give it to the one with ten talents.'" 29 "For everyone who has, more shall be given to him. The one who does not have any increase, whatever he has will be taken away from him." 30 "Throw this worthless servant into the outer darkness, to a place where they weep and grind their teeth."

31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and brings His angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne." 32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him and He will sort them out just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." 33 "He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left." 34 "And He will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you at the foundation of the world." 35 "For when I was hungry, you gave Me food. And when I was thirsty, you gave Me water to drink. I was a stranger and you invited Me in." 36 "I was naked, and you clothed Me. I was sick and you visited Me. I was in prison and you came to Me." 37 "But the righteous will say, 'When did we ever see You hungry and feed You, or see You thirsty and give You something to drink?'" 38 "When did we see You a stranger, invite You in, or see you in need of clothing and give You clothes?" 39 "When did we see you sick or in prison and come to You?" 40 "The King will answer, 'The truth is, when you did it to the least of My brothers, you were doing it for Me.'"

41 "But to those on His left He will say, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels.'" 42 "For I was hungry and thirsty and you did nothing for Me." 43 "I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in. I was naked but you did not help Me. I was sick and in prison, but you did not visit Me." 44 "Those on His left will say, 'When did we see You in any need and not help You?" 45 "Then He will answer, 'The truth is, when you did not help one of the least of My brothers, you did not help Me.'" 46 "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will enter into eternal life."

Matthew 26 - RWB Paraphrase (75 V)
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1 When Jesus had finished explaining how He would determine who would be in His kingdom, He said to His disciples, 2 "you realize that the Passover is coming in two days, and the Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over to be crucified." 3 While Jesus was saying this to his disciples, the chief priests and the elders were gathering in the court of Caiaphas, the high priest, 4 making plans to secretly seize Jesus and kill Him. 5 They had decided to not attempt this during the festival lest, it cause a riot.

6 It was at this time that Jesus went to the home of Simon the leper. 7 A woman approached Him with an alabaster container of very costly perfume. She poured it on His head while He was reclining at the table. 8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. They asked among themselves what purpose this extravagance served? 9 They were saying, "The perfume could have been sold for a great deal of money and given to the poor." 10 Aware of what they were saying about her, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering her? She has done a very nice thing for me." 11 "You will always have the poor, but you will not always have Me." 12 "She has poured this perfume on My body to prepare Me for My burial." 13 "Everywhere this Gospel is preached throughout the world, this act will be told in memory of her."

14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, 15 and bargained with them over what they would pay him to betray Jesus to them. They promised him thirty pieces of silver if he did this. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples asked Jesus where they should prepare the Passover? 18 He told them to go into the city to a certain man and say to him, "The Teacher says, 'My time is near and I must keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.'" 19 The disciples did as He had instructed them and prepared for the Passover.

20 That evening Jesus reclined with His disciples at the table. 21 While they were eating He said, "One of you will betray Me." 22 This greatly perplexed them, each one said, "Surely it is not me, Lord?" 23 Jesus answered by saying, "One who dips his hand in the bowl with Me will betray Me." 24 "The Son of Man must die, but woe to the one who betrays Him. It would have been better had he never been born." 25 Judas, the one who was betraying Him, said, "Surely it is not me, Master." Jesus said, "Your words and actions are your witness."

26 While they ate, Jesus took some bread, blessed it and broke it. Giving it to the disciples, He said, "Take and eat. This is My body." 27 He also took the cup and after giving thanks, passed it to them, saying, "Everyone drink from this cup," 28 "for this is My blood of the new covenant which is poured out for the forgiveness of the sins of many." 29 "I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the day I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

31 Jesus said to them, "Tonight all of you will not want to be associated with Me. For scripture says, 'I will strike the Shepherd and the flock will be scattered.'." 32 "But after I have risen again, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." 33 Peter said, "No matter who falls away, I will never do this." 34 Jesus said to him, "The truth is, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." 35 Peter said, "Even if I have to die, I will not deny you." All the disciples said the same thing.

36 Jesus came to a place called Gethsemane and asked His disciples to sit there while He went over a little way to pray. 37 He took Peter, James and John with Him. He then became very sorrowful, weighed down with grief. 38 He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved. Please wait here and keep watch with Me." 39 Then He went on a little farther and fell on His face and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will."

40 He came back to His disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Why couldn't you have kept watch with Me for one hour?" 41 "Keep watching and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 He went away once more and prayed, "My Father, if this cup cannot pass from me, and I must drink it, Your will be done." 43 Again He came and found them asleep for they were very tired. 44 He left them again and prayed the same prayer a third time.

45 Then coming to His disciples, He said to them, "Are you still sleeping? Well, the hour is at hand for the Son of Man to be betrayed into the hand of sinners." 46 "Let us be going. The one who betrays Me is at hand!" 47 Even as He spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, came with a large crowd carrying swords and clubs. They had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Judas had told them, "Whomever I kiss, seize Him. He is the one you want." 49 Judas went to Jesus and said, "Hail Rabbi!" And he kissed Him. 50 Then Jesus said to Judas, "Friend, what have you come for." So the crowd laid their hands on Jesus to take Him away. 51 One of those who was with Jesus drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest cutting off his ear. 52 Jesus said, "Put your sword away. Those taking up the sword will perish by the sword." 53 "Don't you realize that I could ask My Father and He would at once send more than twelve legions of angels?" 54 "But how else will the scriptures be fulfilled which say that this must happen."

55 Then Jesus addressed the crowd, saying, "Why have you come to arrest me with swords and clubs as though I was a robber? All the time I was teaching in the temple you could have seize Me." 56 "Everything that is happening tonight fulfills the words of the prophets." Then all the disciples deserted Him. 57 Those who had seized Him took Him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest. Entering in, he sat with the officers to see what would happen to Jesus.

59 The chief priests, the elders and the whole council were trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus so they could put Him to death. 60 There were many that offered false witness but no two agreed. Finally two were found whose testimony agreed. 61 They said, "This man said, I am able destroy this temple and rebuild it again in three days." 62 The high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "What do You have to say about what these men have testified against You?" 63 Jesus said nothing. Then the high priest said to Him, "I adjure You by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "What you have said is true. And I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 At these words, the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! Do we need more witnesses." 66 "What do you say?" They all answered, "He deserves to die!"

67 They spit in His face and beat Him with their fists. Others slapped Him. 68 They said, "Prophesy to us, You Christ. Tell us who hit You."

69 Peter was still sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came to him and said, "You are a follower of Jesus the Galilean." 70 But Peter denied it, saying, "I have no idea what you are talking about." 71 After he had gone out to the porch another servant girl saw him and said to those around them, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 This time he denied it with an oath, saying, "I do not know the Man." 73 A little later some bystanders came to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of His followers, for you speech gives you away." 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter recalled Jesus words: before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times. He went out and wept bitterly.

Matthew 27 - RWB Paraphrase (66 V)
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1 When morning had come, having agreed that Jesus should be put to death, the chief priests and the elders, 2 had Him bound and sent to Pilate, the Roman governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, was sorry for what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying to them, "I have betrayed an innocent Man." They replied, "What is that to us? That's your problem." 5 Judas threw the money on the temple floor and went out and hanged himself. 6 Picking up the money, the chief priests said, "This is blood money. The law will not allow us to put this money into the temple treasury." 7 Conferring together, they decided that the money should be used to buy the Potter's Field to be used as a burial place for strangers. 8 That is how that field came to be known as the Field of Blood. 9 The words of the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled where he said, "They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set by the children of Israel." 10 "They gave it for the Potter's Field, as the LORD directed."

11 Jesus now stood before the governor who was questioning him."are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus relied, "This is true." 12 Yet, while the chief priests and elders were making their case against Him, He said nothing. 13 Then Pilate said, "Don't You hear what they are saying against You?" 14 He was amazed that Jesus did not respond to any of the charges brought against Him.

15 During this feast it was the governor's custom to release any prisoner the people asked for. 16 A notorious prisoner named Barabbas was currently being held. 17 So Pilate offered the people a choice."Shall I release Barabbas to you, or Jesus Who is called Christ?" 18 He knew why Jesus had been handed over to him. 19 Then he received a message from his wife, saying, "Have nothing to do with this righteous Man. I have had a frightening dream because of Him." 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitude to ask for the release of Barabbas and that Jesus be put to death. 21 Pilate, however, persisted, asking the crowd once more, "Which of the two shall I release to you?" And they said, "Barabbas." 22 Then Pilate said, "What shall I do with Jesus called the Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!" 23 "Why?" He asked."What evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, "Crucify Him!"

24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing and a riot was in the making, he took a basin of water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. He said, "I am innocent of this Man's blood. See to it yourselves." 25 And all the people said, "His blood be upon us and on our children."

26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them, and had Jesus scourged before handing Him over to be crucified. 27 The governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and the entire Roman cohort gathered around Him. 28 They stripped Him of His garments and placed a scarlet robe on Him. 29 They made a crown of thorns which they placed on His head. Placing a reed in His right hand, they knelt before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 30 They spit on Him and took the reed from Him and began beating Him on the head. 31 When they had finished mocking Him they replace the scarlet robe with His own garments and led Him out to be crucified. 32 On the way they compelled a man of Cyrene named Simon to carry His cross.

33 When they had come to a place called Golgotha, which means, Place of a Skull, 34 they offered Him some wine mixed with gall. But when He had tasted it He would not drink it. 35 After crucifying Him they divided His garments between them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down to watch Him die.

37 Pilate had an inscription placed above His head. It was the accusation against Him, reading, "This is Jesus the King of the Jews."

38 Two robbers had been condemned and were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left. 39 People passed by the place. They were reviling Him and wagging their heads, 40 as they said, "So You were going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days? Save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41 In the same manner the chief priests, the scribes and the elders mocked Him saying, 42 "He saved others. He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of Israel let Him come down from the cross. Then we will believe His claim." 43 "He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if He delights in Him. After all, He did say that He is God's Son." 44 The robbers who had been crucified with him were also insulting Him with similar words.

45 From the sixth hour (noon) darkness fell over all the land until the ninth hour (three o'clock). 46 At about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" Translated: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" 47 Some of those standing by said, "He is calling for Elijah." 48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine. Placing it on a reed, he offered it to Him. 49 But the rest of them said, "Let us watch to see if Elijah will come and save Him." 50 Jesus cried out once more with a loud voice and then yielded up His spirit. 51 At this moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth shook. Rocks were split. 52 Tombs were opened and many bodies of saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After His resurrection they came out of their tombs and entered the holy city where they were seen by many.

54 The centurion, and the others keeping guard over Jesus, were frightened by the earthquake and said, "Truly, this was the Son of God!" 55 Many women who had followed Jesus and ministered to Him in Galilee, were watching from a distance. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph. Also there was the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57 When evening had come a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came. He had become a disciple of Jesus. 58 He asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph wrapped the body in a clean linen cloth. 60 He had a tomb hewn out of the rock. He laid the body in it and had a large stone rolled against the entrance. Then he left. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat near the grave.

62 The next day after they had buried the body of Jesus, the chief priests and the Pharisees came to Pilate. 63 They said, "Sir, we remember that this man said that He would rise again after three days." 64 "For this reason a guard should be placed to make the grave secure until the third day. Otherwise His disciples may come and steal the body from the grave and say that He has risen from the dead. The last deception would be even worse than the first." 65 Pilate gave them a guard and told them to make the grave as secure as they could. 66 So they took the guard to make the grave secure, and placed a seal on the stone.

Matthew 28 - RWB Paraphrase (20 V)
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1 After Sabbath as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the grave. 2 An angel of the LORD descended from heaven and after rolling away the stone, sat on it. Then there was a great earthquake. 3 Jesus appearance was like lightening and His clothing was as white as snow. 4 Guards had been place by the tomb and they shook with fear and fell down like dead men.

5 When the women arrived at the tomb, the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified." 6 "He is not here. He has risen, just as He said He would. Come and see where He was lying." 7 "Now, go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead. Tell them that He will be waiting for them in Galilee." 8 The women left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell the disciples what they has seen. 9 As they were going, Jesus met them and spoke to them. They approached Him and taking a hold of His feet, they worshiped Him. 10 Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Tell My brethren to go to Galilee where I will meet them."

11 At this time some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 When the elders had assembled and consulted together they then gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 and said, "When asked what happened, say that His disciples came at night and stole Him out of the tomb while you slept." 14 "If the governor hears about this we will deal with him in order to keep you out of trouble." 15 The soldiers took the money and did as they had been instructed. The story has been widely told and believed among the Jews to this day.

16 "The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain that Jesus had designated." 17 When they saw Him they worshiped Him, though some remained doubtful. 18 Jesus spoke to them saying, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Me." 19 "You are go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," 20 "teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you. Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen."

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28