diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 8594271b..2098646f 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -1,10 +1,7 @@
 <p align="center"><img src="https://laravel.com/assets/img/components/logo-laravel.svg"></p>
 
 <p align="center">
-<a href="https://travis-ci.org/laravel/framework"><img src="https://travis-ci.org/laravel/framework.svg" alt="Build Status"></a>
-<a href="https://packagist.org/packages/laravel/framework"><img src="https://poser.pugx.org/laravel/framework/d/total.svg" alt="Total Downloads"></a>
-<a href="https://packagist.org/packages/laravel/framework"><img src="https://poser.pugx.org/laravel/framework/v/stable.svg" alt="Latest Stable Version"></a>
-<a href="https://packagist.org/packages/laravel/framework"><img src="https://poser.pugx.org/laravel/framework/license.svg" alt="License"></a>
+Version 2.5.3
 </p>
 
 ## About Laravel
@@ -21,40 +18,6 @@ Laravel is a web application framework with expressive, elegant syntax. We belie
 
 Laravel is accessible, yet powerful, providing tools needed for large, robust applications.
 
-## Learning Laravel
-
-Laravel has the most extensive and thorough [documentation](https://laravel.com/docs) and video tutorial library of any modern web application framework, making it a breeze to get started learning the framework.
-
-If you're not in the mood to read, [Laracasts](https://laracasts.com) contains over 1100 video tutorials on a range of topics including Laravel, modern PHP, unit testing, JavaScript, and more. Boost the skill level of yourself and your entire team by digging into our comprehensive video library.
-
-## Laravel Sponsors
-
-We would like to extend our thanks to the following sponsors for helping fund on-going Laravel development. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please visit the Laravel [Patreon page](https://patreon.com/taylorotwell):
-
-- **[Vehikl](https://vehikl.com/)**
-- **[Tighten Co.](https://tighten.co)**
-- **[Kirschbaum Development Group](https://kirschbaumdevelopment.com)**
-- **[Cubet Techno Labs](https://cubettech.com)**
-- **[British Software Development](https://www.britishsoftware.co)**
-- [Fragrantica](https://www.fragrantica.com)
-- [SOFTonSOFA](https://softonsofa.com/)
-- [User10](https://user10.com)
-- [Soumettre.fr](https://soumettre.fr/)
-- [CodeBrisk](https://codebrisk.com)
-- [1Forge](https://1forge.com)
-- [TECPRESSO](https://tecpresso.co.jp/)
-- [Runtime Converter](http://runtimeconverter.com/)
-- [WebL'Agence](https://weblagence.com/)
-- [Invoice Ninja](https://www.invoiceninja.com)
-
-## Contributing
-
-Thank you for considering contributing to the Laravel framework! The contribution guide can be found in the [Laravel documentation](https://laravel.com/docs/contributions).
-
-## Security Vulnerabilities
-
-If you discover a security vulnerability within Laravel, please send an e-mail to Taylor Otwell via [taylor@laravel.com](mailto:taylor@laravel.com). All security vulnerabilities will be promptly addressed.
-
 ## License
 
 The Laravel framework is open-sourced software licensed under the [MIT license](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT).