Luke 15, side by side

Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.

Modern

1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.

Classic

1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

Modern

2The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”

Classic

2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Modern

3He told them this parable.

Classic

3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

Modern

4“Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?

Classic

4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Modern

5When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Classic

5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Modern

6When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

Classic

6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Modern

7I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

Classic

7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Modern

8Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?

Classic

8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

Modern

9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.’

Classic

9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Modern

10Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”

Classic

10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Modern

11He said, “A certain man had two sons.

Classic

11And he said, A certain man had two sons:

Modern

12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ He divided his livelihood between them.

Classic

12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

Modern

13Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.

Classic

13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Modern

14When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.

Classic

14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

Modern

15He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

Classic

15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

Modern

16He wanted to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.

Classic

16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

Modern

17But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!

Classic

17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

Modern

18I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight.

Classic

18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

Modern

19I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.” ’

Classic

19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Modern

20“He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Classic

20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Modern

21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

Classic

21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Modern

22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet.

Classic

22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Modern

23Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat, and celebrate;

Classic

23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

Modern

24for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.

Classic

24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Modern

25“Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

Classic

25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

Modern

26He called one of the servants to him, and asked what was going on.

Classic

26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

Modern

27He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’

Classic

27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

Modern

28But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and begged him.

Classic

28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

Modern

29But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

Classic

29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

Modern

30But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

Classic

30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

Modern

31“He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

Classic

31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

Modern

32But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ ”

Classic

32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Your pair of translations is remembered on this device for other chapters.