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
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.
King James Version, 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.
Casual English Bible, Psalm 23
Mourning death of loved one
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.
The Message, 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.
Casual English Bible, Matthew 5:4
Resurrection had better be real
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
English Standard 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.
Casual English Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:19
Don’t let lust burn you
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.
Easy-to-Read Version, 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?
Casual English Bible, Proverbs 6:26-27
Jesus was at Creation
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.
New International Version, 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.
Casual English Bible, John 1:1-5
Forgive me
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,
New King James Version, 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.
Casual English Bible, Psalm 51:1-4
Lying leaders
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.
New Revised Standard Version, 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.
Casual English Bible, Psalm 58:1-2
God created the universe
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.
King James Version, 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.
Casual English Bible, Genesis 1-3
Cities of safe haven
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.
New Century Version, 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.
Casual English Bible, Joshua 20:7-8
Proverbs: Advice and observation from wise old men
New International Version
Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,
and so the innocent escape trouble.
New International Version, Proverbs, 12:13
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.
New International Version, Proverbs 17:28
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools! (Proverbs 26:3)
New International Version, Proverbs 26:3
Casual English Bible®
Bad people trip over their own lying lips.
Good people don’t have a lip problem.
Casual English Bible, Proverbs 12:13
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 17:28
A horse needs a whip and donkey needs a bridle,
But a jackass needs a kick in the butt.
Casual English Bible, Proverbs 26:3