Luke 18, side by side

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

Modern

1He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up,

Classic

1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Modern

2saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man.

Classic

2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

Modern

3A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’

Classic

3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

Modern

4He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God, nor respect man,

Classic

4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Modern

5yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’ ”

Classic

5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

Modern

6The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.

Classic

6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

Modern

7Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?

Classic

7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Modern

8I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Classic

8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Modern

9He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.

Classic

9And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Modern

10“Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.

Classic

10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

Modern

11The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

Classic

11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Modern

12I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’

Classic

12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Modern

13But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

Classic

13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Modern

14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Classic

14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Modern

15They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

Classic

15And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

Modern

16Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.

Classic

16But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Modern

17Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”

Classic

17Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Modern

18A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Classic

18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Modern

19Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one: God.

Classic

19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Modern

20You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

Classic

20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

Modern

21He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.”

Classic

21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

Modern

22When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

Classic

22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Modern

23But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.

Classic

23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

Modern

24Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!

Classic

24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Modern

25For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

Classic

25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Modern

26Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”

Classic

26And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

Modern

27But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

Classic

27And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Modern

28Peter said, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

Classic

28Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

Modern

29He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s Kingdom’s sake,

Classic

29And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,

Modern

30who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.”

Classic

30Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Modern

31He took the twelve aside, and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed.

Classic

31Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

Modern

32For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.

Classic

32For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

Modern

33They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.”

Classic

33And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

Modern

34They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said.

Classic

34And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Modern

35As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.

Classic

35And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

Modern

36Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant.

Classic

36And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

Modern

37They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

Classic

37And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

Modern

38He cried out, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”

Classic

38And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

Modern

39Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”

Classic

39And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

Modern

40Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him,

Classic

40And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

Modern

41“What do you want me to do?” He said, “Lord, that I may see again.”

Classic

41Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

Modern

42Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.”

Classic

42And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

Modern

43Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.

Classic

43And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

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