Version
Meaning rendered plainly.
Simple Version is meaning-based. We render the meaning of Scripture in plain, direct, accurate declarative language.
What this means
We render the meaning, not the grammar. Long sentences become short. Ancient idioms are explained in terms of what they actually mean. Implied subjects are stated. Pronouns are clarified. Vocabulary stays familiar.
The result reads like a careful, faithful explanation. Where the plain meaning needs a word added to make it clear, we add it — and we mark it, so you always know what was in the original and what we supplied. Hard truths are made understandable, never softened or changed. Nothing is hidden.
What we are not
Not a children's Bible
We don't paraphrase, retell, or illustrate. Adults read this as adults.
Not a word-for-word version
We don't try to preserve Greek or Hebrew sentence shape. We render the meaning accurately.
Not a commentary
Where we make a meaning clear, we mark it — and show you the Scripture behind it. Nothing is slipped in unmarked.
How the Simple Version Is Different
Most Bibles hand you the words and leave you to figure out the meaning. The Simple Version hands you the meaning — clearly, faithfully, and without the guesswork.
Take the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16. A traditional version reads:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Beautiful — but for a first-time reader or a literal thinker, it raises hard questions. Perish how? Believe what? Why did God give His Son? Everlasting life — does that mean I won't die? The meaning is there, but it's locked behind words you're expected to already understand.
Here's the same verse in the Simple Version:
"Because the Father loved people so much, He provided His only Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for sins, so that whoever believes in Jesus will not suffer eternal spiritual punishment but (after physical death) will live with Him forever."
Notice what we did. We made the why plain — Jesus was given as a sacrifice for sins. We made "perish" clear — it means eternal spiritual punishment, not the end of physical life. And we removed the most common confusion of all by stating plainly that believers still die physically, and then live with Him forever.
Every clarification we add is marked, so you always know what's in the original text and what we've added to clarify it. Words in italic parentheses — like (after physical death) — are added for clarity. Where an added meaning comes from elsewhere in Scripture, we show you exactly where, in a note — like this:
Note 3:16 — as a sacrifice for sins is taught in John 1:29; Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10.
Other readable Bibles simplify the language. The Simple Version goes further: we make the meaning plain, mark every clarification honestly, and show you the Scripture behind it — so all may hear and understand Him.
A foundation
Simple Version is a great first or forever Bible. Once a reader is ready, we hope they'll cross-reference Simple with traditional word-for-word translations.
Our commitment to accessibility
Version choices and design choices serve the same goal: a Bible that reaches readers other versions leave behind.
- Short, declarative sentences — friendly to neurodivergent readers, new English speakers, and anyone reading Scripture for the first time.
- Familiar vocabulary in place of ancient idioms; implied subjects stated, pronouns clarified.
- Calm typography, generous spacing, and color contrast that meets WCAG AA across desktop and mobile.
- Reduced-motion respected; semantic headings and descriptive links for screen-reader users.
Accessibility issues are bugs. If something is hard to read, understand, or use, please tell us, and we'll investigate.