Same Verse, Two Voices

ESV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Paraphrase

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son — so that whoever believes in him won't perish, but will have eternal life. God didn't send his Son into the world to condemn it. He sent him so the world could be saved through him.

ESV

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Paraphrase

The Lord is my shepherd — I have everything I need. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid — because you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Goodness and mercy will follow me every single day of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

ESV

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Paraphrase

Blessed are the ones who know they have nothing without God — the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are those who are grieving — they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble — they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right — they will be satisfied.

ESV

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Paraphrase

Love is patient and kind. Love doesn't envy or boast. It isn't arrogant or rude. It doesn't demand its own way, doesn't get easily irritated, and doesn't keep a record of wrongs. Love doesn't celebrate when someone falls — it celebrates the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Paraphrase

And we know that for those who love God, he is working all things together for good — for those who are called according to his purpose. Every high and every low. It's all part of the plan.

ESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paraphrase

I can do all things through the one who gives me strength. That's it. That's the whole statement.

ESV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Paraphrase

Trust in the Lord with everything you have — and don't rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.

ESV

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Paraphrase

Before anything existed, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, darkness covering the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light" — and there was light. God saw that the light was good. He separated the light from the darkness. He called the light Day, and the darkness Night. Evening came, then morning — the first day.

ESV

But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Paraphrase

But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will rise on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

ESV

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Paraphrase

Our Father in heaven — your name is holy. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth, just as it is in heaven. Give us what we need today. Forgive us for what we've done wrong, the way we forgive those who have wronged us. And lead us away from temptation — deliver us from evil.