## without complaining and arguing ##

"do not say bad things" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

## blameless and honest children ##

"do things in a manner that people can not say you did wrong." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

## without blemish ##

"blemish" compares a believer who is morally perfect with an animal that was physically perfect and used in the Old Testament as a sacrifice to God. "This can be translated as "completely innocent children of God." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

## shine as lights ##

This compares believers living in a way that honors God among people who dishonor God to a light shining in the dark. Alternate Translation: "live in a way that honors God."

## in the world ##

"world" refers to all values and behaviors that do not honor God.

## a crooked and depraved generation ##

This is saying the same thing in different ways to emphasize how wicked the generation is. This could be translated as "among wicked people who do not honor God." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

## to glory ##

"to rejoice" or "to be glad"

## in the day of Christ ##

This refers to when Jesus comes back to set up his kingdom and rule over the earth. This can be translated as "when Christ returns."

## I did not run in vain nor labor in vain ##

Here "run...labor" is saying the same thing in two different ways to emphasize how hard Paul has worked to help people believe in Christ. It could be translated as "I did not work for nothing." It is also a negative phrase that could be stated as a positive: "my work had a purpose." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])