John 3:27 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)27 John replied to them, “A person cannot receive anything, unless it has been given to him from [God in] heaven. See the chapterMore versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 176927 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. See the chapterAmplified Bible - Classic Edition27 John answered, A man can receive nothing [he can claim nothing, he can take unto himself nothing] except as it has been granted to him from heaven. [A man must be content to receive the gift which is given him from heaven; there is no other source.] See the chapterAmerican Standard Version (1901)27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. See the chapterCommon English Bible27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless it is given from heaven. See the chapterCatholic Public Domain Version27 John responded and said: "A man is not able to receive anything, unless it has been given to him from heaven. See the chapter |
He gave one servant five talents [Note: This ‘talent’ was a large sum of money in the form of a certain weight of silver. It was the equivalent of sixty years of a farm laborer’s wages, or about $1,400,000 in 2005 income]. He gave two talents to another servant and one talent to another. He gave to each one an amount in keeping with his ability [to invest it wisely], and then left on his trip.
But I am whatever I am because of God’s unearned favor, and the favor He showed me was not for nothing [i.e., Paul made the most of his conversion by being extra diligent in his service to God]. But I worked harder than all the other apostles, yet it was not I, but God’s favor on me [that accomplished it].
[This letter is from] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, according to God’s will, [and is being sent] to the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] at Ephesus [Note: This was a major city in the western province of Asia Minor, and is now a part of Turkey. The words “at Ephesus” are omitted in some manuscripts, suggesting it was a circular letter], and the faithful ones in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus [everywhere else (?)].