Chapter 2 of 21
John 2
Every verse twice: in the King James Version, and in the World Bible Guide plain reading — what it says, in words anyone can follow.
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John 2, verse by verse
Each verse is given twice: first in the King James Version, then in the World Bible Guide plain reading.
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
On the third day, a joyous wedding took place in Cana, Galilee, graced by the presence of Jesus' mother.
And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Jesus and his disciples were warmly invited to the wedding.
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
When they ran out of wine, Jesus' mother turned to him, her voice tinged with concern, "They have no more wine."
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Jesus gently told her, "My dear lady, why involve me? My time hasn't arrived yet."
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
His mother, with a trusting heart, told the servants, "Follow his instructions, whatever they may be."
And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Six stone jars stood there, each holding two to three firkins, used by Jews for purification rituals.
Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
Jesus gently instructed them, "Fill the jars with water." Without hesitation, they filled each one to the very top.
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
He told them, "Now, take this to the feast's host." And they did as instructed.
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
When the feast's master tasted the water-turned-wine, he was clueless about its origin. Yet, the servants who fetched the water knew the truth. Astonished, he summoned the bridegroom.
And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
He said to him, "Usually, people serve the best wine first, and once everyone's had their fill, they bring out the lesser quality. But you, you've saved the best for last."
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
In the humble town of Cana in Galilee, Jesus performed his first miracle, revealing his divine power. This act deeply moved his disciples, strengthening their faith in him.
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Following this, he journeyed to Capernaum, accompanied by his mother, siblings, and disciples. Their stay there was brief.
And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
The sacred Jewish Passover was approaching, and with a heart full of purpose, Jesus journeyed towards Jerusalem.
And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
Discovering in the sacred temple, merchants selling oxen, sheep, and doves, alongside money changers seated, stirred deep emotions.
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
With a whip made from thin ropes, he expelled everyone from the temple, including the sheep and oxen. He scattered the money changers' coins and flipped their tables in a surge of righteous anger.
And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
He turned to those selling doves, his voice firm, "Remove these items. This sacred place, my Father's house, is not a marketplace."
And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
His followers suddenly recalled the scripture, "Your passion for your house consumes me."
Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
The Jews responded, asking him, "What proof can you show us for doing these things?"
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Jesus responded with conviction, "Tear down this sanctuary, and in three days, I promise, I'll rebuild it."
Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
The Jews scoffed, "It took 46 years to build this temple, and you think you can rebuild it in just three days?"
But he spake of the temple of his body.
He was referring to his body as a sacred temple.
When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
After Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples recalled his words. Their hearts filled with belief in the scriptures and in Jesus' teachings.
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
While celebrating Passover in Jerusalem, many were moved to faith in him, their hearts stirred by the miracles he performed.
But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
Jesus, however, didn't fully trust them, for He understood the nature of all people.
And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
He didn't need anyone to vouch for others; he understood the human heart completely.
Go on with John 2
Hear it read aloud in the iPhone and iPad app, or bring a question about it to Simon Peter, Paul, Philip, John the Baptist, Judas Iscariot or Jesus. When an answer rests on a passage, you see which one. Each person is an interpretation drawn from the text, never the person.
The chapters of John