NFW changes.

mat/02/intro.md

@@ -8,13 +8,13 @@ Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of
 
 ##### "His star" #####
 
-This is probably a reference to a star that the learned men believed to be the sign of a new king of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sign]])
+These words probably refer to a star that the learned men believed to be the sign of a new king of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sign]])
 
 #### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter ####
 
 ##### "Learned men" #####
 
-English translations use many different words to translate this phrase. These terms include "magi" and "wise men." These men could have been scientists or astrologers. It is best to translate this with the generic term "learned men," if possible.
+English translations use many different words to translate this phrase. These words include "magi" and "wise men." These men could have been scientists or astrologers. If you can, you should translate this with the general word "learned men."
 
 ## Links: ##
 * __[Matthew 02:01 Notes](./01.md)__

mat/03/intro.md

@@ -8,13 +8,13 @@ Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on
 
 ##### "Bear fruit worthy of repentance" #####
 
-Fruit is a common image in the scriptures. It is used to describe the results of either good or bad behavior. In this chapter, good fruit is the result of living as God commands. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/fruit]])
+Fruit is a common picture word in the scriptures. Writers use it to describe the results of either good or bad behavior. In this chapter, good fruit is the result of living as God commands. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/fruit]])
 
 #### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter ####
 
 ##### "The kingdom of heaven is near" #####
 
-Scholars debate whether the "kingdom of heaven" was present at this time or still coming. English translations frequently use the phrase "at hand," but this can create difficulty in translating. Other versions use the phrases "is coming near" and "has come near." 
+No one knows for sure whether the "kingdom of heaven" was present or still coming when John spoke these words. English translations often use the phrase "at hand," but these words can be difficult to translate. Other versions use the phrases "is coming near" and "has come near." 
 
 ## Links: ##
 * __[Matthew 03:01 Notes](./01.md)__

mat/04/intro.md

@@ -4,17 +4,17 @@
 
 Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULB does this with the poetry in verses 6, 15 and 16, which are words from the OT.
 
-Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULB does this with the quoted material in verse 10.
+Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULB does this with the quotation in verse 10.
 
 #### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter ####
 
-##### "The kingdom of heaven is near" ##### 
+##### "the kingdom of heaven has come near" ##### 
 
-Scholars debate whether the "kingdom of heaven" was present at this time or still coming. English translations frequently use the phrase "at hand," but this can create difficulty in translating. Other versions use the phase "is coming near" and "has come near."
+No one knows for use whether the "kingdom of heaven" was present or still coming when Jesus spoke these words. English translations often use the phrase "at hand," but these words can be difficult to translate. Other versions use the phase "is coming near" and "has come near."
 
 ##### "If you are the Son of God" #####
 
-In English, the reader can understand this statement in 4:6 as indicating that Satan does not know whether Jesus is the Son of God. Because Satan probably knows that Jesus is the Son of God, it should not be translated in this way. It can be translated as "because you are the Son of God." (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/satan]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sonofgod]])
+The reader should not understand these words in verses 3 and 6 to mean that Satan did not know whether Jesus was the Son of God. God had already said that Jesus was his Son ([Matthew 3:17](../03/16.md)), so Satan knew who Jesus was. He also knew that Jesus could make stones become bread and could throw himself off of high places and not be hurt. He was trying to make Jesus do these things and so disobey God and obey Satan. These words can be translated as "Because you are the Son of God" or "You are the Son of God. Show me what you can do." (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/satan]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sonofgod]])
 
 ## Links: ##
 * __[Matthew 04:01 Notes](./01.md)__

mat/05/intro.md

@@ -2,15 +2,17 @@
 
 #### Structure and Formatting ####
 
-Matthew 5-7, traditionally called The Sermon on the Mount, forms one lengthy teaching by Jesus. The chapter divisions cause needless confusion here. A title could help the reader understand that these chapters form one section or unit. The translator should be aware that there is some question about whether the teaching applies to Israel, the church, or the future kingdom of God.
+Many people call the words in Matthew 5-7 the Sermon on the Mount. This is one long lesson that Jesus taught. Bibles divide this lesson into three chapters, but this can sometimes confuse the reader. If your translation divides the text into sections, be sure that the reader understands that the whole sermon is one large section.
 
 Matthew 5:3-10, known as the Beatitudes or Blessings, has been set apart by being set farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text, with each line beginning with the word "blessed." This way of placing the words on the page highlights the poetic form of this teaching.
 
+Jesus spoke about many different subjects in this sermon, so you may wish to help the reader by putting an empty line into the text whenever Jesus changed the subject.
+
 #### Special concepts in this chapter ####
 
 ##### "His disciples" #####
 
-It is possible to refer to anyone who followed Jesus as a follower or disciple. Jesus selected twelve of his followers to become his inner circle, the twelve disciples. They would later become known as the apostles. It may have significance that this teaching was for the twelve apostles. 
+It is possible to refer to anyone who followed Jesus as a follower or disciple. Jesus selected twelve of his followers to become his closest disciples, "the twelve disciples." They would later become known as the apostles. 
 
 ## Links: ##
 * __[Matthew 05:01 Notes](./01.md)__

mat/06/intro.md

@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 
 Matthew 6 continues Jesus' extended teaching known as "The Sermon on the Mount." 
 
-The translator may wish to set apart the prayer in 6:9-11 by setting it farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. Since this chapter quickly shifts from one topic to another, it is possible to use a line of space between topics to help the readers recognize the changes in topic more easily.
+You may wish to set apart the prayer in 6:9-11 by placing it farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text.
+
+Jesus spoke about many different subjects in this sermon, so you may wish to help the reader by putting an empty line into the text whenever Jesus changed the subject.
 
 ## Links: ##
 * __[Matthew 06:01 Notes](./01.md)__

mat/07/intro.md

@@ -2,17 +2,17 @@
 
 #### Structure and formatting ####
 
-Since this chapter shifts quickly from one topic to another, it is possible to use a line of space between topics to distinguish between them more easily.
+Jesus spoke about many different subjects in this sermon, so you may wish to help the reader by putting an empty line into the text whenever Jesus changed the subject.
 
 #### Special concepts in this chapter ####
 
 ##### Matthew 5-7 #####
 
-Matthew 5-7 together form one sermon or teaching by Jesus. The chapter divisions cause confusion here.
+Many people call the words in Matthew 5-7 the Sermon on the Mount. This is one long lesson that Jesus taught. Bibles divide this lesson into three chapters, but this can sometimes confuse the reader. If your translation divides the text into sections, be sure that the reader understands that the whole sermon is one large section.
 
 ##### "By their fruits you will know them" #####
 
-Fruit is a common image in the scriptures. It is used to describe the results of either good or bad behavior. In this chapter, good fruit is the result of living as God commands. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/fruit]])
+Fruit is a common image in the scriptures. It is used to describe the results of either good or bad actions. In this chapter, good fruit is the result of living as God commands. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/fruit]])
 
 ## Links: ##
 * __[Matthew 07:01 Notes](./01.md)__

mat/08/intro.md

@@ -8,8 +8,7 @@ This chapter begins a new section.
 
 ##### Miracles #####
 
-Jesus' miracles in this chapter show that he has authority over things beyond human control. They also show that worship of Jesus is the proper response to his deeds.
-(See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/authority]])
+Jesus performed miracles to show that he could control things that no other people could control. He also showed that it is proper to worship him because he performed miracles. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/authority]])
 
 ## Links: ##
 * __[Matthew 08:01 Notes](./01.md)__

mat/09/intro.md

@@ -1,13 +1,18 @@
 # Matthew 09 General Notes #
 
-#### Important figures of speech in this chapter ####
+#### Passive voice ####
 
-There are many different figures of speech in this chapter. It was also common for Jesus to use analogies and metaphors in his teaching. His way of teaching was intended to encourage faith in him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])
+Many sentences in this chapter tell that a person had something happen to him without saying who caused that something to happen. You may have to translate the sentence so that it tells the reader who performed the action. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
 
 #### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter ####
 
-##### "And," "but" #####
-Some English translations begin many sentences in this chapter with the word "and" or "but" to indicate a sequence of events in the narrative. The ULB usually eliminates these words because the context of the narrative itself indicates that the events occur in sequence. It is acceptable to use these words if it is helpful in your translation.
+##### Rhetorical questions #####
+
+Speakers in this chapter asked questions to which they already knew the answer. They asked the questions to show that they were not happy with the hearers or to teach them or to get them to think. Your language may have another way of doing this. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
+
+##### Proverbs #####
+
+Proverbs are very short sentences that use words that are easy to remember to tell about something that is generally true. People who understand proverbs usually have to know much about the language and culture of the speaker. When you translate the proverbs in this chapter, you may have to use many more words than the speakers used so that you can add information that the hearers knew but your reader do not know. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs]])
 
 ## Links: ##
 * __[Matthew 09:01 Notes](./01.md)__

mat/10/intro.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 ##### The sending of the twelve disciples #####
 
-A large section of this chapter discusses Jesus' sending of the twelve disciples to share his message about the kingdom of heaven. They were to limit their ministry to Israel and not share this news with the Gentiles. Jesus' instructions gives the reader the impression that they were not to waste any time. There is a sense of urgency in his tone.
+Many verses in this chapter describe how Jesus sent the twelve disciples out. He sent them to tell his message about the kingdom of heaven. They were to tell his message only in Israel and not to share it with the Gentiles.
 
 #### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter ####
 
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ A large section of this chapter discusses Jesus' sending of the twelve disciples
 
 The following are the lists of the twelve disciples:
 In Matthew: 
-Simon (Peter), Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John son of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.
+Simon (Peter), Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John son of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.
 
 In Mark:
 Simon (Peter), Andrew, James the son of Zebedee and John the son of Zebedee (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder), Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. 
@@ -20,11 +20,11 @@ Simon (Peter), Andrew, James the son of Zebedee and John the son of Zebedee (to
 In Luke:
 Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon (who was called the Zealot), Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot.
 
-It is probable that Thaddaeus and Jude, the son of James, are two names of the same person. 
+Thaddaeus is probably the same person as Jude, the son of James. 
 
-##### "The kingdom of heaven is near" #####
+##### "The kingdom of heaven has come near" #####
 
-This phrase has great theological significance. Scholars often debate whether the "kingdom of heaven" was present at that time or was still to come. English translations frequently use the phrase "is at hand," but this can create difficulty in translating. Other translations use "is coming near" or "has come near." 
+No one knows for sure whether the "kingdom of heaven" was present or still coming when John spoke these words. English translations often use the phrase "at hand," but these words can be difficult to translate. Other versions use the phrases "is coming near" and "has come near." 
 
 ## Links: ##
 * __[Matthew 10:01 Notes](./01.md)__

mat/11/intro.md

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ After [Matthew 11:20](./20.md), Jesus begins to reveal information about himself
 
 ##### "The kingdom of heaven is near" #####
 
-This phrase has great theological significance. Scholars often debate whether the "kingdom of heaven" was present at this time or still coming. English translations frequently use the phrase "at hand," but this can create difficulty in translating. Other translations use the phase "is coming near" and "has come near."
+No one knows for sure whether the "kingdom of heaven" was present or still coming when John spoke these words. English translations often use the phrase "at hand," but these words can be difficult to translate. Other versions use the phrases "is coming near" and "has come near." 
 
 ## Links: ##
 * __[Matthew 11:01 Notes](./01.md)__