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 gathering around to listen to Jesus.

Classic

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

Modern

2So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “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

3Then Jesus told them this parable:

Classic

3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

Modern

4“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds 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

5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders,

Classic

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

Modern

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

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

7In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.

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 who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds 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

9And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’

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

10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

Classic

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

Modern

11Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons.

Classic

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

Modern

12The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property 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

13After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild 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

14After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through 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

15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the 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 longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.

Classic

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

Modern

17Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death!

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 back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

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 longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like 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

20So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, 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 declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 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

22But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger 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 and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.

Classic

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

Modern

24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So 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

25Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached 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

26So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.

Classic

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

Modern

27‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’

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

28The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with 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, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could 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 son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill 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‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘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 fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours 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.