The Casual English Bible® is written for Bible newcomers. And it reads like that—easier to understand and harder to put down.
Take a quick look at a comparison of Bible versions below. To compare with many other Bibles, check out Bible Gateway, a wonderful Bible study resource.
Other Bibles & Casual English Bible®
The LORD is my shepherd
King James Version, Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Casual English Bible, Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd.
There’s nothing more I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows.
He leads me beside calm waters.
He restores life to my soul.
He leads me up the right trail.
That’s who he is, true to his name.
When I walk into the valley, toward the shadows of death,
I won’t be afraid of evil ahead.
You are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You spread out a meal in front of me
While my enemies stand there and watch.
You honor me, anointing my head with oil fit for a king.
My cup is full and spilling over.
Of this I’m certain:
Goodness and mercy will stay with me as long as I live.
And I’ll make my home in the house of the LORD forever.
Mourning death of loved one
The Message, Matthew 5:4
You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
Casual English Bible, Matthew 5:4
If you’ve loved someone enough to mourn them when they’re gone, God has blessed you.
Now he’ll comfort you.
Resurrection had better be real
English Standard Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:19
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Casual English Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:19
If our faith in the Messiah is good for nothing more than our life here, pity us more than anyone has ever pitied the pitiful.
Don’t let lust burn you
Easy-to-Read Version, Proverbs 6:26-27
A prostitute might cost a loaf of bread, but the wife of another man could cost you your life.
If you drop a hot coal in your lap, your clothes will be burned.
Casual English Bible, Proverbs 6:26-27
Sex with a forbidden woman can cost you your last loaf of bread.
If she’s married, it can cost you your life.
If you build a fire in your pants, what makes you think you won’t get burned?
Jesus was at Creation
New International Version, John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Casual English Bible, John 1:1-5
When everything started, Jesus was already there. He was the living Word of God. He was with God. He was God.
The Word was right there with God all along.
With this Word, God spoke creation into existence. If it’s part of creation, the Word created it.
He brought everything to life. Then he turned the lights on inside people.
God’s life-giving light shines in the darkness. And darkness can’t do a rotten thing about it.
Forgive me
New King James Version, Psalm 51:1-4
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
Casual English Bible, Psalm 51:1-4
Please be kind to me, God,
Since lovingkindness is who you are.
So I’m asking for your compassion.
Please erase my sin.
Wash my sin away.
Get rid of every trace.
I know what I did was wrong.
I think of it all the time. When it comes right down to it,
You’re the one I sinned against.
Lying leaders
New Revised Standard Version, Psalm 58:1-2
Do you really speak what is right, you gods?
Do you really judge humans fairly?
No: in your hearts you plan injustice;
your hands do violence on the earth.
Casual English Bible, Psalm 58:1-2
Well hello, mighty leaders.
You talk a good talk about justice.
But do you live it, or just talk it?
Nothing good goes on inside your head.
Your dirty hands do nothing but break the law.
God created the universe
King James Version, Genesis 1-3
In the beginning God
created the heavens
and the earth.
The earth was barren,
with no form of life;
it was under a roaring ocean
covered with darkness.
But the Spirit of God
was moving over the water.
God said, “I command light to shine!” And light started shining.
Casual English Bible, Genesis 1-3
It all started when God created the universe—everything on earth and in the sky.
Earth was shapeless and empty. Darkness cloaked the deep water. God’s Spirit cruised through the darkness, above the water.
God said, “Lights.” Lights came on.
Cities of safe haven
New Century Version, Joshua 20:7-8
So the Israelites chose these cities to be cities of safety: Kedesh in Galilee in the mountains of Naphtali; Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim; Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron) in the mountains of Judah;
Bezer on the east side of the Jordan River near Jericho in the desert in the land of Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead in the land of Gad; and Golan in Bashan in the land of Manasseh.
Casual English Bible, Joshua 20:7-8
Here are the three cities of safe haven for tribes west of the Jordan River:
- Kedesh. It’s in Naphtali’s tribe, in the region of Galilee.
- Shechem. Ephraim’s tribe, in the hill country.
- Hebron. Judah’s tribe, in the hill country. It’s also called Kiriath-arba.
Here are the three cities of safe haven for tribes east of Jericho and the Jordan River:
- Bezer. Reuben’s tribe, in the desert plains.
- Ramoth. Gad’s tribe, in the region of Gilead.
- Golan. Eastern half of Manasseh’s tribe, in the territory of Bashan.
Proverbs: Advice and observation from wise old men
New International Version, Proverbs, 12:13
Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,
and so the innocent escape trouble.
New International Version, Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.
New International Version, Proverbs 26:3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools!
Casual English Bible, Proverbs 12:13
Bad people trip over their own lying lips.
Good people don’t have a lip problem.
Casual English Bible, Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool looks smart when his mouth is shut.
If he doesn’t say anything, he could actually look intelligent.
Casual English Bible, Proverbs 26:3
A horse needs a whip and donkey needs a bridle,
But a jackass needs a kick in the butt.
