Evangelism, mission and making disciples

This page contains selected passages from the Open English Translation with the passage from the OET Readers’ Version on the left, and the OET Literal Version on the right. Minimal commentary is included (only some headings)—our aim is simply to conveniently list the passages in one place so that our readers can make up their own minds about what the writer of the passage was intending to communicate.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

Good news for all nations

OET Gen 12:1-3

12:1 God commissions Avram to go

12 Then Yahweh said to Avram, “You must leave your land and your relatives and your father’s house and go to the land that I’ll show you.[ref] 2 I’ll bless you and make you into a great nation. I’ll make you famous and you’ll be a blessing to others. 3 I’ll bless everyone who blesses you, but I’ll curse anyone who curses you. All the families on the earth will be blessed because of you.[ref]

12:1: Acts 7:2-3; Heb 11:8.

12:3: Gal 3:8.

OET Isa 49:5-6

5 Now Yahweh has spoken—

the one who formed me from the womb as his servant—

to restore Ya’akov (Jacob) to himself,

≈ and gather Yisrael (Israel) to him.

I’ll be honoured in Yahweh’s eyes,

and my god has been my strength.

6 Also he says,

‘It’s too insignificant for you to be my servant to raise up Ya’akov’s tribes

≈ and to bring back those from Yisrael who’ve been preserved.

I’ll make you into a light for the nations[ref]—

≈ to be the one who takes salvation to the ends of the earth for me.’[ref]

49:6: Isa 42:6; Luk 2:32; Acts 26:23.

49:6: Acts 13:47.

5 And_now he _says YHWH who_formed _of_me from_the_womb (into)_a_servant to_him/it to_bring _back Yaˊₐqoⱱ to_him/it and_Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) wwww[fn] it _will _be _gathered and_I _will _be _honoured in/on_both _eyes _of YHWH and_god _of_my he _has _been strength _of_my.

6 And_he/it _said it _is_too_trifling for_being_your to_me servant to_raise _up DOM the _tribes _of Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob) and[fn] of _Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) to_bring _back I_will _make _you (into)_a_light _of the_nations to_be salvation _of_my to the _end _of the_earth/land.

49:5 OSHB variant note: לא: (x-qere) ’ל֣/וֹ’: lemma=l morph=HR/Sp3ms id=23Xmm ל֣/וֹ

49:6 OSHB variant note: ו/נצירי: (x-qere) ’וּ/נְצוּרֵ֥י’: lemma=c/5341 morph=HC/Vqsmpc id=23PiS וּ/נְצוּרֵ֥י

OET Mat 28:16-20

28:16 Yeshua commissions his apprentices as missionaries

(Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:36-49; Yhn 20:19-23; Acts 1:6-8)

16 The eleven apprentices travelled up to Galil to the hill that Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) had previously told them to go to,[ref] 17 and when they saw him there, they immediately bowed down to the ground, even though their minds weren’t sure that it was really him. 18 Then Yeshua came closer and told them, “I have been given authority over both heavenly and earthly affairs 19 so I want you to leave here and go and train followers in every country,[ref] immersing them in water with the authority of the father and the son and the holy spirit. 20 Then teach them to do everything just like I instructed all of you. And listen, I will be with you all every day right through until the end of this age.”

28:16: Mat 26:32; Mrk 14:28.

28:19: Acts 1:8.

16 But the the_eleven apprentices/followers were _gone into the Galilaia/(Gālīl), to the mountain where the Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) determined for _them.

17 And having _seen him, they _prostrated, but they doubted.

18 And the Yaʸsous having _approached, spoke to _them saying:
All authority in heaven and on earth was _given to _me.

19 Therefore having _been _gone, train _followers all the nations, immersing them in the name of _the father, and of _the son, and of _the holy spirit,

20 teaching them to _be _keeping all things as _much _as I _commanded to _you _all.
And see, I am with you _all all the days, until the completion of _the age.

OET Luke 24:44-49

44 Then he told them, “While I was still with you all, I told you those messages of mine, and how that everything written about me by Mosheh (Moses) and the prophets and in the songs, it’s all going to be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to be able to understand the scriptures, and he told them, 46 “It was written that the messiah would suffer and come back to life on the third day, 47 and that his name will be proclaimed as the authority to forgive the sins of the people when they repent—people from every country beginning here in Yerushalem (Jerusalem). 48 You all are witnesses of all that. 49 Soon I’ll be sending out the one that my father promised to you all, but meanwhile you must remain here in the city until you all get clothed in power that comes from heaven.”[ref]

24:49: Acts 1:4.

44 And he _said to them:
These are the messages of _me, which I _spoke to you _all still being with you _all, that it _is _fitting to _be _fulfilled all the things having _been _written in the law of _Mōsaʸs/(Mosheh), and the prophets, and psalms, concerning me.

45 Then he _opened _up the mind of _them which to _be _understanding the scriptures.
And he _said to _them,

46 that Thus it _has _been _written, the chosen _one /messiah to _suffer, and to _rise _up from the_dead on _the third day,

47 and the name of _him to _be _proclaimed in repentance for forgiveness of _sins to all the nations, having _begun from Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim).

48 You _all are witnesses of _these things.

49 And see I am _sending _out the promise of _the father of _me on you _all, but you _all sit _down in the city, until of _which you _all _may _dress _in power from of _height.

Witness through words and conduct

OET Acts 1:6-8

1:6 Yeshua’s ascension

6 So when they were next gathered together, they asked him, “Master, is this now the time when you’ll be restoring the kingdom to Yisrael (Israel)?”[fn]

7 But Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) responded to them, “You don’t need to know the times or seasons when future events will happen—it’s the father who decides all that. 8 However, you all will be receiving power when the holy spirit lands on you. Then you’ll tell people about me in Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and all across the provinces of Yehudah (Judea) and Shomron (Samaria), and all the way to the furthest parts of the planet.”[ref]

1:6 At the time of asking, Israelis were burdened under the rule and taxes of the Roman occupiers.

1:8: Mat 28:19; Mrk 16:15; Luk 24:47-48.

6 Therefore indeed the ones having _come _together, were _asking him saying:
master, if at the this time, are _you _restoring the kingdom the to _Israaʸl/(Yisrā^ʼēl)?

7 And he _said to them:
It _is not of _you _all to _know times or seasons, which the father set by his own authority.

8 But you _all _will _be _receiving power, having_ The holy spirit _come _over on you _all, and you _all _will _be witnesses for _me, in both Hierousalaʸm, and in all the Youdaia, and Samareia/(Shomrōn), and to the_last part of _the earth.

OET Rom 10:9-17

9 That if you speak out and acknowledge that Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) is Yahweh, and you believe in your heart that God brought him back to life from the dead, you will be rescued, 10 because it’s the belief in your mind that leads to righteousness, and it’s the acknowledgement from your mouth that leads to rescue. 11 As the scriptures say: ‘Anyone who believes in him won’t end up disgraced.’[ref] 12 There’s no distinction between Yehudi (Jew) and non-Jew, because we all have the same master who gives generously to everyone who makes an appeal to him, 13 because everyone who appeals to Yahweh’s authority will be rescued.[ref]

14 But how could they appeal to a god that they don’t even believe in? And how could they believe if they haven’t even heard about him? And how would they hear if no one told them? 15 And who would be there telling them if no one was sent out? Compare what was written: ‘It’s so wonderful that these people came and announced the good message.’[ref] 16 But not everyone accepted the good message, just like the prophet Yeshayah (Isaiah) wrote: ‘Yahweh, who believed our report?’[ref] 17 And so faith comes by hearing—listening to Messiah’s message.

10:11: Isa 28:16 (LXX).

10:13: Yoel 2:32.

10:15: Isa 52:7.

10:16: Isa 53:1 (LXX).

9 That if you _may _confess with the mouth of _you:
master Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa), and you _may _believe in the heart of _you that the god him raised from the_dead, you _will _be _being _saved.

10 For/Because in_the_heart it _is _being _believed to righteousness, and in_the_mouth it _is _being _confessed to salvation.

11 For/Because is _saying the scripture:
Everyone which believing in him not will _be _being _disgraced.

12 For/Because no there _is distinction between _Youdaios both and Hellaʸn, because/for the same master of _all, being _rich toward all the ones calling him.

13 For/Because everyone that wishfully may _call on _the name of_the_master, will _be _being _saved.

14 Therefore how they _may _call on whom not they _believed?
And how they _may _believe of _whom not they _heard?
And how they _may _hear apart _from proclaiming?

15 And how they _may _proclaim if not they _may _be _sent _out?
As it _has _been _written:
How beautiful are the feet of _the ones good _message _preaching good things.

16 But not all submitted to _the good _message.
For/Because Aʸsaias/(Yəshaˊ^yāh) is _saying:
master, who believed in _the report of _us?

17 Consequently the faith is by hearing, and the hearing by the_message of_chosen _one /messiah.

OET Col 4:2-6

4:2 Further teaching for believers

2 Persevere in prayer, keeping watch and being thankful. 3 Pray together for us as well that God would open a door for us to share the message—to tell about the mystery of the messiah. That’s also why I’m in chains—4 so that I can explain the mystery whenever I have an opportunity to speak.

5 Use wisdom as you all walk towards non-believers, using the time wisely.[ref] 6 Always show grace in your conversations, like a meal that’s seasoned with salt, so you’ll know how to answer each person in their situation.

4:5: Eph 5:16.

2 Be _persevering the in _prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

3 praying together also for us, in _order _that the god may _open _up to _us a_door for _the message, to _speak the mystery of _the chosen _one /messiah, because _of which also I _have _been _bound,

4 in _order _that I _may _reveal it, as it _is _fitting me to _speak.

5 In wisdom be _walking toward the ones outside, redeeming the time.

6 The speech of _you _all always in grace let _be, having _been _seasoned with _salt, to _have _known how it _is _fitting you _all to _be _answering to_ each _one.

OET 1 Pet 3:13-16

13 Who’s going to mistreat you if you chosen people start actively doing good? 14 But even if some of you do suffer because of your godliness, you will be blessed.[ref] Don’t be scared or disturbed because of your fear of them, 15 but revere the messiah as the master of your hearts. Always be ready to explain the hope that you chosen people have if anyone asks, 16 but do it with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that if you’re falsely accused of doing evil, then the ones who’ll be disgraced will be the ones who mistreat you chosen people, because of the good way you live because of the message.

3:14: Mat 5:10.

13 And who is the one going _to _mistreat you _all, if you _all _may _become zealous for _the good?

14 But if even might _be _suffering because _of righteousness, you _are blessed.
And the fear of _them, neither be _afraid nor you _all _may _be _disturbed,

15 But as_master the chosen _one /messiah sanctify in the hearts of _you _all, always be ready for a_defense to _everyone which requesting you _all an_account, concerning the hope in you _all,

16 but with gentleness and respect, having a_ good _conscience, in _order _that in which they _are _slandering of _you _all as evildoers, the ones mistreating of _you _all may _be _disgraced the good conduct in chosen _one /messiah.

Teaching and equipping others

OET 1 Th 2:7-12

7 even though we could request support as ambassadors of Messiah. But we became unsophisticated among you, just like children, or like a breast-feeding mother who cherishes her own children. 8 So in longing for you all like that, we were happy to share with you all—not only the good message from God, but also exposing our own lives because you all became dear to us. 9 Brothers and sisters, you’re remembering our work and the hardship that we endured, working day and night so that we wouldn’t burden any of you as we proclaimed good message from God.

10 You’re all witnesses, and God also, as to how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we were to the believers, 11 just as each one of you who’s a father to his own children has known 12 how to encourage and to console them. We testified to you so that you all would live lives worthy of God—the one who invited you into his kingdom and to share his honour.

7 being _able in burden to _be, as of_chosen _one /messiah ambassadors.
But we _were _become infants in the_midst of _you _all, as if a_nursing _mother may _be _cherishing the of _herself children.

8 Thus longing for _you _all, we _were _taking _pleasure to _share with _you _all, not only the good _message of_ the _god, but also the of _ourselves lives, because beloved to _us you _all _were _become.

9 For/Because you _all _are _remembering, brothers, the labour of _us and the hardship, night and day working, in _order that not to _burden anyone of _you _all, we _proclaimed to you _all the good _message of_ the _god.

10 You _all are witnesses and the god, how devoutly, and justly, and blamelessly, to _you _all the ones believing we _were _become,

11 just _as you _all _have _known how one each of _you _all, as a_father to _children of _himself,

12 exhorting you _all, and consoling, and testifying, in _order that to _be _walking you _all worthily of_ the _god, the one having _called you _all into the of _himself kingdom and glory.

OET 2 Tim 2:1-7

2:1 Yeshua’s followers obey and endure

2 So my ‘son’, may the grace from Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) the messiah make you strong 2 along with everything you heard from me through many witnesses. Entrust those things to faithful people who will also be capable of teaching others.

3 Suffer together with me as a good soldier of Yeshua the messiah. 4 Soldiers stay unentangled from the affairs of daily living so that they will be dedicated to pleasing their commanding officer. 5 Similarly the athlete won’t win the competition if they don’t follow the rules. 6 It’s fair for the farmer working in the orchard to be allowed to eat the fruit. 7 You should easily understand what I’m saying, because the master will be giving you insight into everything.

2 You therefore, child of _me, be _being _strengthened in the grace which in chosen _one /messiah Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa).

2 And the things you _heard from me through many witnesses, entrust these to _faithful people who will _be worthy to _teach others also.

3 Suffer _together as a_good soldier of_chosen _one /messiah Yaʸsous.

4 No _one soldiering is _being _entangled with _the affairs of_ the _living, in _order _that he _may _bring _pleasure to _the one having _enlisted him.

5 And also if anyone may _be _competing, not is _being _crowned, if he _may_ not _compete lawfully.

6 It _is _fitting the labouring farmer to _be _partaking first of _the fruits.

7 Be _understanding what I _am _saying, because/for the master will _be _giving insight to _you in all things.

OET Eph 4:11-16

11 Then he gave some as missionaries, some as prophets, some as announcers of the good message, some as pastors and teachers

12 so as to complete the dedicated ones for the work of service—for building the body of the messiah

13 until we can reach the unity of our faith and of our knowledge about God’s son—becoming mature people measured against the stature of the fullness of the messiah.

14 Then we’ll no longer be like children in our faith, tossed around by waves and being blown by every wind of teaching used to trick us or by crafty people who scheme how to deceive us.

15 Instead, by lovingly speaking the truth, we will grow up into every aspect of him—the messiah who is the head

16 that integrates the entire body together and holds it together by every one of its joints. When each component does its work, the body grows and builds itself up with love.[ref]

4:16: Col 2:19.

11 And on _one _hand he gave the ambassadors, on _the _other _hand the prophets, on _the _other _hand the good _message _preachers, on _the _other _hand the shepherds and teachers,

12 with the completing of _the holy ones for the_work of _service, because/for the_building of _the body of _the chosen _one /messiah,

13 until we _may_ which all _attain to the oneness of _the faith, and of _the knowledge of _the son of_ the _god, to a_ mature _man, to the_measure of_the_stature of _the fullness of _the chosen _one /messiah,

14 in _order _that no _longer we _may _be infants, being _tossed _by _waves and being _carried _about by _every wind of_ the _teaching in the trickery of_ the _people, in craftiness with the scheming of_ the _deception,

15 but being _truthful in love, we _may _grow into him in_ all _the things, who is the head chosen _one /messiah,

16 from whom all the body, being _joined _together and being _held _together by every joint of _its supply according _to the_working in the_measure of _one each part, the growth of _the body is _making to the_building of _itself in love.

Please contact us at Freely dot Given dot org (at) gmail dot com if there’s any passages that you’d like us to add to this topic page, or any passages that need a little bit more context around them. (We encourage our readers to always view things in their context, so we discourage use of the word ‘verse’, especially in sayings like, “This verse says …”.)