Bible in Basic English (BBE)
Scripture in a simple 850-word vocabulary anyone can read.
Completed by scholar Samuel Henry Hooke in 1949, the Bible in Basic English translates the entire text of scripture using a deliberately limited vocabulary of 850 basic words plus 100 special Bible terms. It offers a more approachable alternative to older translations like the King James Version (KJV), starting with Genesis (BBE).
Old Testament
New Testament
About the Bible in Basic English (BBE) Translation
The Bible in Basic English (BBE), completed in 1949 and first published with the New Testament in 1941, was produced by scholar Samuel Henry Hooke with the goal of making the Bible accessible to anyone who can read English, regardless of educational background. The BBE translates the entire scripture using a carefully selected vocabulary of just 850 basic English words supplemented by 100 special Bible words, making it one of the most readable Bible translations available for new readers, children, English language learners, and anyone seeking a clear, straightforward version of God's Word. While some traditional phrasing is simplified, the BBE Bible remains faithful to the meaning of the original Hebrew and Greek texts. The Bible in Basic English is particularly valuable for introducing the Bible's message to those unfamiliar with traditional religious language. Read the Bible in Basic English online here, with every chapter and verse available in clear, simple language.