diff --git a/en_tn_60-JAS.tsv b/en_tn_60-JAS.tsv index 5731f87d52..75fd3d5a58 100644 --- a/en_tn_60-JAS.tsv +++ b/en_tn_60-JAS.tsv @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ Book Chapter Verse ID SupportReference OrigQuote Occurrence GLQuote OccurrenceNote -JAS front intro exs3 0 # Introduction to James
## Part 1: General Introduction

### Outline of the book of James

1. Greetings (1:1)
2. Gaining endurance through trials (1:2–4)
3. Trusting God for wisdom (1:5–8)
4. What poor and rich people should boast about (1:9–11)
5. Enduring temptation (1:12-15)
6. Hearing and doing what God’s Word says (1:16-27)
7. A warning against favoring rich people (2:1-13)
8. Faith and works (2:14-26)
9. The need for self-control in speech (3:1-12)
10. Worldy wisdom and heavenly wisdom contrasted (3:13-18)
11. Worldly desires and the sin and conflict they cause (4:1-12)
12. A warning against boasting about tomorrow (4:13-17)
13. Rebuke of rich people (5:1-6)
14. Waiting patiently for the Lord’s return (5:7-11)
15. Oaths forbidden (5:12)
16. Prayer, forgiveness, and healing (5:13-18)
17. Restoration of a sinner (5:19-20)

### Who wrote the book of James?

There is wide agreement among biblical scholars that the author of this book was James the half-brother of Jesus, who was a leader in the early church in the city of Jerusalem. He was respected for his wisdom and authority. For example, he had the last word at the Jerusalem Council, an important meeting of the early church, that is described in Acts [15:13–21](../act/15/13.md). In Galatians [2:9](../gal/02/09.md), the apostle Paul calls him a “pillar” of the church, meaning one of its most important leaders. However, even though James was an influential church leader and the half-brother of Jesus, in this letter he introduces himself humbly as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is not the same man as the apostle James, who was the brother of the apostle John. That James was killed for his faith a few years after Jesus himself was killed and rose from the dead. This letter was written many years after that.

### What kind of writing is the book of James?

The book of James has an opening that is typical of the letters of its time, but it does not have a main body that develops sequentially and logically the way a letter would have. Instead, the book presents a collection of short sayings and reflections on various subjects. (In that way it is similar to the book of Proverbs.) As the outline at the beginning of this introduction shows, the book is made up of many short sections that move around from topic to topic.

James uses many of the devices that speakers used in his time, such as anticipating a question that someone might ask and answering it. He also uses many vivid examples drawn from both nature and everyday life. For this reason, many interpreters believe that for the content of this book, James drew on sermons he had preached and on wise advice he had given. He wanted to share all of that wisdom with Christians living in different parts of the Roman Empire to help them face difficult times. It is also possible that James wrote this book because he was nearing the end of his life and he wanted his wisdom to be preserved and shared after his death.

### To whom was the book of James written?

James wrote this book to believers in Jesus who had a Jewish background. This is clear from many of the things that he says in the book. For example, he addresses his readers figuratively as “the twelve tribes” in [1:1](../01/01.md). He speaks of their meeting place as a “synagogue” in [2:2](../02/02.md). He assumes in [2:19](../02/19.md) that they are familiar with the essential Jewish affirmation that “God is one,” and in [2:21](../02/21.md) he calls Abraham “our father.” He calls God by the Hebrew title the Lord of Sabaoth in [5:4](../05/04.md). He assumes that his readers will be familiar from the Hebrew Scriptures with the stories of people such as Job ([5:11](../05/11.md)) and Elijah ([5:17](../05/17.md)). These notes will call attention to the places where James engages his readers in light of their Jewish background.

### What is the book of James about?

In this letter, James writes to believers living all over the Roman Empire who are suffering. He tells them that God is working through their sufferings to help them become more mature Christians. James also writes much in this letter about how believers should live in this world and treat one another. He urges them to treat other people fairly, not to quarrel and fight, and to be compassionate and generous.

### How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “James.” Alternatively, they may choose a different title such as “A Letter from James” or “The Letter James Wrote.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

### Did James disagree with Paul about how a person is justified before God?

Paul taught in Romans that Christians are justified by faith and not by works. James seems to teach that Christians are justified by works. This could be confusing. However, a better understanding of what Paul and James each taught shows that they actually agree with one another. Both of them taught that a person needs faith in order to be justified. They both also taught that true faith will lead a person to do good works. Paul and James taught about these things in different ways because they had different audiences who needed to know different things about being justified. James wrote primarily to Jewish Christians, while Paul wrote to communities in which there were many Gentile Christians. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/works]])

## Part 3: Important Translation Issues

### How should the translator signal transitions between topics in the Book of James?

James moves briskly from one topic to another. Often he does not end his discussion of one topic with a summary and then begin the discussion of the next topic with an introduction. It might be helpful to your readers if you set topics apart by putting blank lines between them. However, your readers would have the same experience of the book that its original audience did if you allowed the transitions between topics to remain abrupt. Just as happens in the book of Proverbs, James seems to have wanted each new thought to strike his audience with fresh force. So you may also choose not to put any blank lines between topics in your translation.

James often makes the link between topics through key words, for example, “rejoice” in 1:1 and “joy” in 1:2; “lacking” in 1:4 and “lacks” in 1:5; and so forth. If you can find ways to translate these key words similarly in both of their occurrences, this should help your readers appreciate the link and the transition.

### Changes from the present tense to the past tense

In several places where James offers an illustration of a point he has just made, he narrates that illustration in the past tense as if he were telling the story of something that had happened. If this would be confusing for your readers, you could translate these illustrations in the present tense. Notes will identify each of these places and make that suggestion.

### Textual issues in the book of James

See the General Notes to chapter 2 for a discussion of one important textual issue in this book. -JAS 1 intro pz2q 0 # James 01 General Notes
## Structure and formatting

1. Greetings (1:1)
2. Gaining endurance through trials (1:2–4)
3. Trusting God for wisdom (1:5–8)
4. What poor and rich people should boast about (1:9–11)
5. Enduring temptation (1:12-15)
6. Hearing and doing what God’s Word says (1:16-27)

James begins this book in [1:1](../01/01.md) by giving his name, identifying the people to whom he is writing, and offering a greeting. That was the way people typically began letters at this time. However, as Part 1 of the Introduction to James explains, the book does not then develop the way other letters did. Instead, it is a collection of short sayings and reflections.

## Special concepts in this chapter

### Testing and temptation

James uses a word in this chapter that can mean both “trial,” as in [1:2](../01/02.md) and [1:12](../01/12.md), and “temptation,” as in [1:13–14](../01/13.md). In both cases the word speaks of the situation of a person who needs to choose between doing something good and doing something evil. The difference between the two senses is important. When ULT translates the word as “trial,” God is testing the person and wants him to do what is good. When ULT translates the word as “temptation,” Satan is tempting the person and wants him to do what is evil. +JAS front intro exs3 0 # Introduction to James

## Part 1: General Introduction

### Outline of the book of James

1. Greetings (1:1)
2. Gaining endurance through trials (1:2–4)
3. Trusting God for wisdom (1:5–8)
4. What poor and rich people should boast about (1:9–11)
5. Enduring temptation (1:12-15)
6. Hearing and doing what God’s Word says (1:16-27)
7. A warning against favoring rich people (2:1-13)
8. Faith and works (2:14-26)
9. The need for self-control in speech (3:1-12)
10. Worldy wisdom and heavenly wisdom contrasted (3:13-18)
11. Worldly desires and the sin and conflict they cause (4:1-12)
12. A warning against boasting about tomorrow (4:13-17)
13. Rebuke of rich people (5:1-6)
14. Waiting patiently for the Lord’s return (5:7-11)
15. Oaths forbidden (5:12)
16. Prayer, forgiveness, and healing (5:13-18)
17. Restoration of a sinner (5:19-20)

### Who wrote the book of James?

There is wide agreement among biblical scholars that the author of this book was James the half-brother of Jesus, who was a leader in the early church in the city of Jerusalem. He was respected for his wisdom and authority. For example, he had the last word at the Jerusalem Council, an important meeting of the early church, that is described in Acts [15:13–21](../act/15/13.md). In Galatians [2:9](../gal/02/09.md), the apostle Paul calls him a “pillar” of the church, meaning one of its most important leaders. However, even though James was an influential church leader and the half-brother of Jesus, in this letter he introduces himself humbly as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is not the same man as the apostle James, who was the brother of the apostle John. That James was killed for his faith a few years after Jesus himself was killed and rose from the dead. This letter was written many years after that.

### What kind of writing is the book of James?

The book of James has an opening that is typical of the letters of its time, but it does not have a main body that develops sequentially and logically the way a letter would have. Instead, the book presents a collection of short sayings and reflections on various subjects. (In that way it is similar to the book of Proverbs.) As the outline at the beginning of this introduction shows, the book is made up of many short sections that move around from topic to topic.

James uses many of the devices that speakers used in his time, such as anticipating a question that someone might ask and answering it. He also uses many vivid examples drawn from both nature and everyday life. For this reason, many interpreters believe that for the content of this book, James drew on sermons he had preached and on wise advice he had given. He wanted to share all of that wisdom with Christians living in different parts of the Roman Empire to help them face difficult times. It is also possible that James wrote this letter because he was nearing the end of his life and he wanted his wisdom to be preserved and shared after his death.

### To whom was the book of James written?

James wrote this letter to believers in Jesus who had a Jewish background. This is clear from many of the things that he says in the letter. For example, he addresses his readers figuratively as “the twelve tribes” in [1:1](../01/01.md). He speaks of their meeting place as a “synagogue” in [2:2](../02/02.md). He assumes in [2:19](../02/19.md) that they are familiar with the essential Jewish affirmation that “God is one,” and in [2:21](../02/21.md) he calls Abraham “our father.” He calls God by the Hebrew title the Lord of Sabaoth in [5:4](../05/04.md). He assumes that his readers will be familiar from the Hebrew Scriptures with the stories of people such as Job ([5:11](../05/11.md)) and Elijah ([5:17](../05/17.md)). These notes will call attention to the places where James engages his readers in light of their Jewish background.

### What is the book of James about?

In this letter, James writes to believers living all over the Roman Empire who are suffering. He tells them that God is working through their sufferings to help them become more mature Christians. James also writes much in this letter about how believers should live in this world and treat one another. He urges them to treat other people fairly, not to quarrel and fight, and to be compassionate and generous.

### How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “James.” Alternatively, they may choose a different title such as “A Letter from James” or “The Letter James Wrote.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

### Did James disagree with Paul about how a person is justified before God?

Paul taught in Romans that Christians are justified by faith and not by works. James seems to teach that Christians are justified by works. This could be confusing. However, a better understanding of what Paul and James each taught shows that they actually agree with one another. Both of them taught that a person needs faith in order to be justified. They both also taught that true faith will lead a person to do good works. Paul and James taught about these things in different ways because they had different audiences who needed to know different things about being justified. James wrote primarily to Jewish Christians, while Paul wrote to communities in which there were many Gentile Christians. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/works]])

## Part 3: Important Translation Issues

### How should the translator signal transitions between topics in the book of James?

James moves briskly from one topic to another. Often he does not end his discussion of one topic with a summary and then begin the discussion of the next topic with an introduction. It might be helpful to your readers if you set topics apart by putting blank lines between them. However, your readers would have the same experience of the letter that its original audience did if you allowed the transitions between topics to remain abrupt. Just as happens in the book of Proverbs, James seems to have wanted each new thought to strike his audience with fresh force. So you may also choose not to put any blank lines between topics in your translation.

James often makes the link between topics through key words, for example, “rejoice” in 1:1 and “joy” in 1:2; “lacking” in 1:4 and “lacks” in 1:5; and so forth. If you can find ways to translate these key words similarly in both of their occurrences, this should help your readers appreciate the link and the transition.

### Changes from the present tense to the past tense

In several places where James offers an illustration of a point he has just made, he narrates that illustration in the past tense as if he were telling the story of something that had happened. If this would be confusing for your readers, you could translate these illustrations in the present tense. Notes will identify each of these places and make that suggestion.

### Textual issues in the book of James

See the General Notes to chapter 2 for a discussion of one important textual issue in this book. +JAS 1 intro pz2q 0 # James 01 General Notes
## Structure and formatting

1. Greetings (1:1)
2. Gaining endurance through trials (1:2–4)
3. Trusting God for wisdom (1:5–8)
4. What poor and rich people should boast about (1:9–11)
5. Enduring temptation (1:12-15)
6. Hearing and doing what God’s Word says (1:16-27)

James begins this letter in [1:1](../01/01.md) by giving his name, identifying the people to whom he is writing, and offering a greeting. That was the way people typically began letters at this time. However, as Part 1 of the Introduction to James explains, the letter does not then develop the way other letters did. Instead, it is a collection of short sayings and reflections.

## Special concepts in this chapter

### Testing and temptation

James uses a word in this chapter that can mean both “trial,” as in [1:2](../01/02.md) and [1:12](../01/12.md), and “temptation,” as in [1:13–14](../01/13.md). In both cases the word speaks of the situation of a person who needs to choose between doing something good and doing something evil. The difference between the two senses is important. When ULT translates the word as “trial,” God is testing the person and wants him to do what is good. When ULT translates the word as “temptation,” Satan is tempting the person and wants him to do what is evil. JAS 1 1 pkt2 figs-123person Ἰάκωβος 1 James In this culture, letter writers would give their own names first, and they would refer to themselves in the third person. If that would be confusing in your language, you could use the first person. If your language has a particular way of introducing the author of a letter, you could also use that if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I, James, am writing this letter” or “From James” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) JAS 1 1 j000 translate-names Ἰάκωβος 1 James This is the name of a man, the half-brother of Jesus. See the information about him in Part 1 of the Introduction to James. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) JAS 1 1 j001 figs-metonymy ταῖς δώδεκα φυλαῖς 1 to the twelve tribes James is speaking figuratively of the nation of Israel by association with the fact that it was made up of twelve tribes. Alternate translation: “to the nation of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) @@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ JAS 1 2 j004 figs-hyperbole πᾶσαν χαρὰν ἡγήσασθε 1 Consider JAS 1 2 j005 figs-metaphor ἀδελφοί μου 1 my brothers James is using the term **brothers** figuratively to refer to fellow believers in Jesus. Alternate translation, as in UST: “my fellow believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JAS 1 2 j006 figs-gendernotations ἀδελφοί μου 1 my brothers James is using the term **brothers** in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Be sure that this is clear in your translation so that your readers do not get the impression that James is addressing only men. If you use a non-figurative word such as “believers” to translate the metaphor **brothers**, you may need to use both the masculine and the feminine forms of that word in your language. If you retain the metaphor, you could say “my brothers and sisters.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) JAS 1 2 j007 figs-metaphor περιπέσητε 1 you fall into James is speaking figuratively of **trials** as if they were a hole or pit that believers could **fall into**. Alternate translation: “you encounter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -JAS 1 2 j008 figs-you περιπέσητε 1 you fall into The pronoun **you** is plural here, since James is writing to believers in Jesus as a group. Generally throughout the book, the pronouns “you” and “your” are plural for this same reason. These notes will identify the few places where they are singular instead. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) +JAS 1 2 j008 figs-you περιπέσητε 1 you fall into The pronoun **you** is plural here, since James is writing to believers in Jesus as a group. Generally throughout the letter, the pronouns “you” and “your” are plural for this same reason. These notes will identify the few places where they are singular instead. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) JAS 1 3 j009 γινώσκοντες ὅτι 1 knowing that It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here, as UST does. Alternate translation: “I want you to know that” or “You should realize that” JAS 1 3 xud2 figs-abstractnouns τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως κατεργάζεται ὑπομονήν 1 the testing of your faith produces endurance If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the ideas behind the abstract nouns **testing**, **faith**, and **endurance** with equivalent expressions. Alternate translation: “when you rely on God to help you through a difficult situation, this teaches you not to give up” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) JAS 1 4 j2p4 figs-personification ἡ δὲ ὑπομονὴ ἔργον τέλειον ἐχέτω 1 But let endurance have a perfect work The expression **let endurance have a perfect work** means “let endurance complete its work.” James is speaking figuratively as if the quality of **endurance** were actively developing the character of believers. Alternate translation: “But make sure that you completely develop the ability not to give up” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) @@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ JAS 1 6 j012 figs-activepassive κλύδωνι θαλάσσης, ἀνεμιζο JAS 1 7 j013 figs-gendernotations μὴ γὰρ οἰέσθω ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος 1 For let that man not think James is using the term **man** in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “Such a person should not think” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) JAS 1 8 b5t6 figs-metaphor ἀνὴρ δίψυχος 1 a double-minded man James speaks figuratively of this person as if he had two minds, with one mind deciding to do one thing and the other mind deciding to do something else. Alternate translation: “a man who cannot make up his mind” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JAS 1 8 j014 figs-gendernotations ἀνὴρ δίψυχος 1 a double-minded man James is using the term **man** in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “a person who cannot make up his mind” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) -JAS 1 8 k89p figs-metaphor ἀκατάστατος ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ 1 unsettled in all his ways James is speaking figuratively as if life presented paths for people follow, and he is speaking figuratively of this person as if he could not settle on which path to take. Alternate translation: “who cannot decide whether to do one thing or another” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +JAS 1 8 k89p figs-metaphor ἀκατάστατος ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ 1 unsettled in all his ways James is speaking figuratively as if life presented paths for people to follow, and he is speaking figuratively of this person as if he could not settle on which path to take. Alternate translation: “who cannot decide whether to do one thing or another” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JAS 1 9 j015 καυχάσθω δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὁ ταπεινὸς 1 Now let the lowly brother boast James is using the word **boast** in a positive sense. He does not mean it in the sinful sense of bragging or vaunting oneself over others. Alternate translation: “Now let the lowly brother take satisfaction” JAS 1 9 gc9b figs-metaphor ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὁ ταπεινὸς 1 the lowly brother Since James contrasts this person with “the rich” in the next verse, he is using the word **lowly** as a spatial metaphor to mean “poor.” Alternate translation: “a believer who is poor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JAS 1 9 j016 figs-metaphor ἀδελφὸς 1 brother James is using the term **brother** figuratively to refer to a fellow believer in Jesus. See how you translated the term in [1:2](../01/02.md). Alternate translation: “believer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) @@ -44,14 +44,14 @@ JAS 1 10 j019 figs-metaphor τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ 1 his lowlin JAS 1 10 ulk4 figs-explicit τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ 1 his lowliness If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate explicitly, as UST does, that God has taught rich believers humility by showing them that their wealth does not make them better than other people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) JAS 1 10 j020 figs-euphemism παρελεύσεται 1 he will pass away James is using a mild expression to refer to death. Alternate translation: “he will die” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]]) JAS 1 10 nug7 figs-simile ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου παρελεύσεται 1 like a flower of the grass The point of this comparison is that just as wild flowers bloom only for a short time, rich people will live on earth for the same relatively short time as anyone else, so their riches do not give them any advantage. You could explain the meaning of this figurative expression in your translation. (However, you could also reproduce the simile, as suggested in the next note.) Alternate translation: “after living for only a relatively short time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) -JAS 1 10 j021 translate-unknown ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου παρελεύσεται 1 like a flower of the grass If you would like to use a simile in your translation but your readers would not be familiar with a **flower of the grass** (that is, a wild flower), you could use another illustration that would be familiar to them of something that lasts for only a short time. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) +JAS 1 10 j021 translate-unknown ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου παρελεύσεται 1 like a flower of the grass If you would like to use a simile in your translation but your readers would not be familiar with a **flower of the grass** (that is, a wildflower), you could use another illustration that would be familiar to them of something that lasts for only a short time. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) JAS 1 11 j022 ἀνέτειλεν γὰρ ὁ ἥλιος σὺν τῷ καύσωνι, καὶ ἐξήρανεν τὸν χόρτον, καὶ τὸ ἄνθος αὐτοῦ ἐξέπεσεν, καὶ ἡ εὐπρέπεια τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ἀπώλετο 1 For the sun rose with heat and dried up the grass, and its flower fell off and the beauty of its face perished Here James is giving an illustration in the past tense as if he were telling the story of something that had happened. (See the discussion of this in Part 3 of the Introduction to James.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this with the present tense. Alternate translation: “For the sun rises with heat and dries up the grass, and its flower falls off and the beauty of its face perishes” JAS 1 11 j023 grammar-connect-logic-result γὰρ 1 For James is giving the reason for the result he implicitly described in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “This is because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) -JAS 1 11 j024 σὺν τῷ καύσωνι 1 with heat Here, **heat** could mean one of two things. (1) It could refer to intense, withering heat. Alternate translation: “and radiates withering heat” (2) It could refer to a hot wind that occurs in full sunlight. Alternate translation: “and causes a hot wind” +JAS 1 11 j024 σὺν τῷ καύσωνι 1 with heat Here, **heat** could mean one of two things. (1) It could refer to intense, withering heat. Alternate translation: “and radiated withering heat” (2) It could refer to a hot wind that occurs in full sunlight. Alternate translation: “and caused a hot wind” JAS 1 11 j025 figs-abstractnouns ἡ εὐπρέπεια τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ἀπώλετο 1 the beauty of its face perished If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **beauty** with an adjective such as “beautiful.” Alternate translation: “it no longer had a beautiful appearance” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) JAS 1 11 j026 figs-metaphor ἡ εὐπρέπεια τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ἀπώλετο 1 the beauty of its face perished James speaks figuratively of the wild **flower** as if it had a **face**. Alternate translation: “it no longer had a beautiful appearance” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JAS 1 11 gv7v figs-metaphor ἡ εὐπρέπεια τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ἀπώλετο 1 the beauty of its face perished James speaks figuratively of the flower’s **beauty** as if it **perished** or died. Alternate translation: “it no longer had a beautiful appearance” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -JAS 1 11 j027 figs-simile οὕτως καὶ 1 Thus also James uses the words **thus also** to introduce a simile or comparison between a rich person and a fading flower. Alternate translation: “In the same way” or “Likewise” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) +JAS 1 11 j027 figs-simile οὕτως καὶ 1 Thus also James uses the words **Thus also** to introduce a simile or comparison between a rich person and a fading flower. Alternate translation: “In the same way” or “Likewise” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) JAS 1 11 j028 figs-nominaladj ὁ πλούσιος 1 the rich James is using the adjective **rich** as a noun in order to indicate a type of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “a person who is rich” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]]) JAS 1 11 ng26 figs-metaphor μαρανθήσεται 1 will wither James speaks of the **rich** person as if he were a flower that would **wither**. James means figuratively that this person will “die,” as UST indicates. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JAS 1 11 sdi2 figs-metaphor ἐν ταῖς πορείαις αὐτοῦ 1 in his journeys James speaks figuratively of a **rich** person’s activities as if they were a journey that he was taking. This metaphor implies that he is giving no thought to his coming death and that it will take him by surprise. Alternate translation: “in the midst of his activities” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) @@ -66,12 +66,12 @@ JAS 1 12 hx28 writing-pronouns ὃν ἐπηγγείλατο τοῖς ἀγαπ JAS 1 13 lh7z figs-activepassive ἀπὸ Θεοῦ πειράζομαι 1 I am tempted by God If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “God is tempting me” or “God is leading me to do something wrong” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) JAS 1 13 p5cp ὁ…Θεὸς ἀπείραστός ἐστιν κακῶν 1 God is untempted by evil Even though the word that ULT translates as **untempted** is an adjective, not a passive verbal form, it may be clearer in your language if you translate it with an active verbal form. Alternate translation: “evil does not tempt God” or “God’s desires never lead him to do something wrong” JAS 1 13 zb13 πειράζει δὲ αὐτὸς οὐδένα 1 and he himself tempts no one Alternate translation: “and God himself never leads anyone to do anything wrong” -JAS 1 14 j032 grammar-connect-logic-contrast δὲ 1 But James is using the word **but** to indicate a contrast between the wrong idea that God might tempt someone and the truth that each person **is tempted by his own desire**. This is actually a strong contrast, and you may wish to use a strong expression for it. Alternate translation: “No, on the contrary,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) +JAS 1 14 j032 grammar-connect-logic-contrast δὲ 1 But James is using the word **But** to indicate a contrast between the wrong idea that God might tempt someone and the truth that each person **is tempted by his own desire**. This is actually a strong contrast, and you may wish to use a strong expression for it. Alternate translation: “No, on the contrary,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) JAS 1 14 j033 figs-activepassive ἕκαστος…πειράζεται ὑπὸ τῆς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας, ἐξελκόμενος καὶ δελεαζόμενος 1 each is tempted by his own desire, dragged away and enticed If it would be clearer in your language, you could say each of these things with active verbal forms. Alternate translation: “each person’s own desire tempts him by enticing him and then dragging him away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) JAS 1 14 nj9m figs-personification ἕκαστος…πειράζεται ὑπὸ τῆς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας, ἐξελκόμενος καὶ δελεαζόμενος 1 each is tempted by his own desire, dragged away and enticed James is speaking figuratively of **desire** as if it were a living thing that could actively tempt people, entice them, and drag them away captive. Alternate translation: “each person wants to do wrong when he desires something that he should not desire and, because he is attracted to that thing, he commits sin and then cannot stop sinning” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) JAS 1 14 nle5 figs-events ἐξελκόμενος καὶ δελεαζόμενος 1 dragged away and enticed Since the word translated as **enticed** often means to use bait to trap prey, James may be stressing the result (the captured prey being **dragged away**) by speaking of it before the method that was used to achieve it (baiting a trap). It may be clearer in your language to indicate that the method came before the result. Alternate translation: “enticed and dragged away” or “dragged away after being enticed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) JAS 1 14 z4bd figs-metaphor ἐξελκόμενος καὶ δελεαζόμενος 1 dragged away and enticed James is speaking figuratively of temptation as if the person who gave in to it were captured in a baited trap. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could translate this metaphor as a simile. It may also be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “It is as if the wrong thing he desired was bait in a trap that caught him so that a hunter could then drag him away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -JAS 1 15 j034 grammar-connect-time-sequential εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν 1 Then desire, having conceived, bears sin James uses the word **then** to indicate that what he describes in this verse happens after something that he described in the previous verse. However, he does not mean that this happens after a person is “dragged away and enticed,” as he said at the end of that verse. Rather, he means that it happens after a person begins to entertain the temptation of a wrong “desire,” as he said at the beginning of that verse. It may be clearer in your language to use the word “when” to indicate this. Alternate translation: “When desire has conceived, it bears sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]]) +JAS 1 15 j034 grammar-connect-time-sequential εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν 1 Then desire, having conceived, bears sin James uses the word **Then** to indicate that what he describes in this verse happens after something that he described in the previous verse. However, he does not mean that this happens after a person is “dragged away and enticed,” as he said at the end of that verse. Rather, he means that it happens after a person begins to entertain the temptation of a wrong “desire,” as he said at the beginning of that verse. It may be clearer in your language to use the word “when” to indicate this. Alternate translation: “When desire has conceived, it bears sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]]) JAS 1 15 s4cd figs-personification εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν 1 Then desire, having conceived, bears sin James continues to speak figuratively of **desire** as if it were a living thing, in this case as if it were a woman who became pregnant and gave birth. Alternate translation: “If a person entertains wrong desires, he will become more and more inclined to sin until he finally does commit sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) JAS 1 15 j035 figs-personification ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα, ἀποκύει θάνατον 1 and sin, having grown up, gives birth to death James also speaks figuratively of **sin** as if it were a living thing, a baby girl who grew up to be a woman who also became pregnant and gave birth. Alternate translation: “and if he continues to sin, it will affect more and more of his life until it causes his death” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) JAS 1 15 j036 figs-metaphor ἀποκύει θάνατον 1 gives birth to death Here, **death** could mean one of two things. (1) James could be talking about spiritual death, that is, separation from God. This is the interpretation in UST. (2) James could be talking about physical death. Alternate translation: “causes the person to die” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) @@ -111,24 +111,24 @@ JAS 1 21 h226 figs-doublet ῥυπαρίαν καὶ περισσείαν κακ JAS 1 21 h8ty figs-metaphor ῥυπαρίαν 1 filth James is speaking figuratively of sin as if it were **filth**, that is, something that made people dirty. Alternate translation: “sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JAS 1 21 j056 figs-abstractnouns περισσείαν κακίας 1 abundance of wickedness If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind the abstract noun **wickedness** with an adjective such as “wrong.” Alternate translation: “the many wrong things that people do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) JAS 1 21 a3u3 figs-abstractnouns ἐν πραΰτητι 1 in humility If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind the abstract noun **humility** with an adverb such as “humbly.” Alternate translation: “humbly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) -JAS 1 21 i9w1 figs-metaphor δέξασθε τὸν ἔμφυτον λόγον 1 receive the implanted word The word **implanted** describes something that has been placed inside another thing. James is speaking of God’s word figuratively as if it had been planted and was growing inside believers. Alternate translation: “obey the word that you have heard” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +JAS 1 21 i9w1 figs-metaphor δέξασθε τὸν ἔμφυτον λόγον 1 receive the implanted word The word **implanted** describes something that has been placed inside another thing. James is speaking of God’s word figuratively as if it had been planted and was growing inside believers. Alternate translation: “obey the word that you have heard” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])jhvgc JAS 1 21 j057 figs-metonymy δέξασθε τὸν ἔμφυτον λόγον 1 receive the implanted word James is using term **word** figuratively to describe the message about Jesus that was conveyed by using words. Alternate translation: “obey the message about Jesus that you have heard” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JAS 1 21 ekl3 figs-personification τὸν δυνάμενον σῶσαι τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν 1 which is able to save your souls James is speaking figuratively of the **word** or message as if it were a living thing that could actively **save** believers. He means that obedience to the message will lead to salvation. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “If you do that, you will be saved” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) JAS 1 21 z73e figs-synecdoche τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν 1 your souls James is figuratively referring to one part of his readers, their **souls**, to mean their whole beings. Alternate translation: “you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) JAS 1 22 j058 grammar-connect-logic-contrast δὲ 1 But **But** draws a contrast not with what James has just said, but with a potential misunderstanding of what he has just said. He wants to clarify that by “receive the implanted word,” he does not mean simply to believe it, but to put it into practice. It may be appropriate in your language to translate the word **but** with an expression that introduces a clarification. Alternate translation: “Now” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) JAS 1 22 j059 figs-ellipsis γίνεσθε δὲ ποιηταὶ λόγου, καὶ μὴ μόνον ἀκροαταὶ 1 be doers of the word and not only hearers At the end of this clause, James is leaving out some of the words that it would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from earlier in the clause. Alternate translation: “be doers of the word and not only hearers of the word” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) -JAS 1 22 x14m figs-metonymy γίνεσθε δὲ ποιηταὶ λόγου, καὶ μὴ μόνον ἀκροαταὶ 1 be doers of the word and not only hearers James is using term **word** figuratively to describe the message about Jesus that was conveyed by using words. Alternate translation: “obey the message about Jesus, do not just listen to it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) +JAS 1 22 x14m figs-metonymy γίνεσθε δὲ ποιηταὶ λόγου, καὶ μὴ μόνον ἀκροαταὶ 1 be doers of the word and not only hearers James is using the term **word** figuratively to describe the message about Jesus that was conveyed by using words. Alternate translation: “obey the message about Jesus, do not just listen to it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JAS 1 22 wvp4 figs-idiom καὶ μὴ μόνον ἀκροαταὶ 1 and not only hearers In the Bible, the word “hear” often has the idiomatic sense of agreeing with what is heard. James may be using the word in that sense. Alternate translation: “and do not just decide that you agree with it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) -JAS 1 23 ewn9 grammar-connect-logic-result ὅτι 1 For **For** introduces an explanation of what the results would be if the readers did not do what James told them in the previous verse. That is, **for** introduces the reason why they should do what he told them. Alternate translation: “And this is why:” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) +JAS 1 23 ewn9 grammar-connect-logic-result ὅτι 1 For **For** introduces an explanation of what the results would be if the readers did not do what James told them in the previous verse. That is, **For** introduces the reason why they should do what he told them. Alternate translation: “And this is why:” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) JAS 1 23 j060 figs-hypo εἴ τις ἀκροατὴς λόγου ἐστὶν, καὶ οὐ ποιητής, οὗτος ἔοικεν ἀνδρὶ κατανοοῦντι τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γενέσεως αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐσόπτρῳ 1 if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man beholding the face of his birth in a mirror James is using a hypothetical situation to teach. Alternate translation: “Suppose someone is a hearer of the word and not a doer. Then he is like a man beholding the face of his birth in a mirror” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]]) -JAS 1 23 r6pp figs-ellipsis ἀκροατὴς λόγου ἐστὶν, καὶ οὐ ποιητής 1 is a hearer of the word and not a doer At the end of this clause, James is leaving out some of the words that it would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from earlier in the clause. Alternate translation: “a hearer of the word and not a doer of the word” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) +JAS 1 23 r6pp figs-ellipsis ἀκροατὴς λόγου ἐστὶν, καὶ οὐ ποιητής 1 is a hearer of the word and not a doer At the end of this clause, James is leaving out some of the words that it would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from earlier in the clause. Alternate translation: “is a hearer of the word and not a doer of the word” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) JAS 1 23 j061 figs-idiom ἀκροατὴς λόγου ἐστὶν, καὶ οὐ ποιητής 1 is a hearer of the word and not a doer See how you translated these expressions in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “just listens to the word but does not obey it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) JAS 1 23 j062 figs-metonymy λόγου 1 of the word James is using term **word** figuratively to describe the message about Jesus that was conveyed by using words. Alternate translation: “of the message about Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JAS 1 23 pw5x figs-simile οὗτος ἔοικεν ἀνδρὶ κατανοοῦντι τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γενέσεως αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐσόπτρῳ 1 he is like a man beholding the face of his birth in a mirror Here James begins a simile, an illustrative comparison, that continues through the next two verses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) JAS 1 23 j063 figs-gendernotations ἀνδρὶ 1 a man James is using the term **man** in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “a person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) JAS 1 23 shn9 figs-idiom τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γενέσεως αὐτοῦ 1 the face of his birth This is an idiom that refers to the **face** a person was born with, that is, that person’s natural or physical face. Since the term “face” had many figurative meanings at this time, James is using this idiomatic expression to clarify that he means the hypothetical person’s literal, physical face. You may not need to make this clarification in your language. Alternate translation: “his physical face” or “his face” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) JAS 1 23 j064 translate-unknown ἐν ἐσόπτρῳ 1 in a mirror A **mirror** is a flat object made of some reflective material, such as glass or polished metal, that people use to see what they look like. If your readers would not be familiar with what a **mirror** is, you could use the name of something else that serves this purpose in your culture. Alternate translation: “reflected in the water” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) -JAS 1 24 j065 figs-explicit γὰρ 1 For **For** introduces a reason, as would be expected, but it is a reason for something that must be inferred from the context. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say explicitly what James is giving the reason for. Alternate translation: “This does not really benefit him, because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) +JAS 1 24 j065 figs-explicit γὰρ 1 For **For** introduces a reason, as would be expected, but it is a reason for something that must be inferred from the context. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say explicitly what James is giving the reason for. Alternate translation: “This did not really benefit him, because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) JAS 1 24 wu34 κατενόησεν…ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀπελήλυθεν, καὶ εὐθέως ἐπελάθετο ὁποῖος ἦν 1 he beheld himself and went away and immediately forgot of what sort he was Here James is giving an illustration in the past tense as if he were telling the story of something that had happened. (See the discussion of this in Part 3 of the Introduction to James.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this with the present tense. Alternate translation: “he beholds himself and goes away and immediately forgets of what sort he is” JAS 1 24 j066 writing-pronouns κατενόησεν…ἑαυτὸν 1 he beheld himself James is continuing the simile he began in the previous verse, so the pronouns **he** and **himself** refer to the hypothetical person who looks in the mirror. Alternate translation (using the present tense): “such a person looks at himself in a mirror” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) JAS 1 24 j067 figs-explicit καὶ ἀπελήλυθεν, καὶ εὐθέως ἐπελάθετο ὁποῖος ἦν 1 and went away and immediately forgot of what sort he was James is saying implicitly that this is a person who sees but does not do, just like a person who hears the word of God but does not obey it. The implication is that he sees in the mirror that he needs to do something such as wash his face or fix his hair. But because he does not do that when he is looking in the mirror, when he walks away, he forgets to do it. The point of the comparison is that a person who does not obey God’s word is like this. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain that explicitly. Alternate translation (using the present tense): “but because he does not do immediately what he sees he should do, when he walks away from the mirror, he forgets what he saw and so he does nothing about it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) @@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ JAS 1 25 j072 νόμον τέλειον, τὸν τῆς ἐλευθερίας JAS 1 25 j073 figs-ellipsis καὶ παραμείνας 1 and having continued James is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the context. Alternate translation: “and who has continued to obey that law” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) JAS 1 25 j074 figs-possession ἀκροατὴς ἐπιλησμονῆς 1 a hearer of forgetfulness James is using the possessive form to describe a **hearer** who is characterized by **forgetfulness**. Alternate translation: “a hearer who is forgetful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) JAS 1 25 j075 figs-abstractnouns ἀκροατὴς ἐπιλησμονῆς 1 a hearer of forgetfulness If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind the abstract noun **forgetfulness** with a verb such as “forget.” Alternate translation: “a hearer who forgets” or “someone who forgets what he hears” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) -JAS 1 25 j076 figs-metonymy ποιητὴς ἔργου 1 a doer of the work By association with the **work** that it takes to carry out God’s commands, James is using term **work** figuratively to mean what God commands. Alternate translation: “someone who does what God commands” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) +JAS 1 25 j076 figs-metonymy ποιητὴς ἔργου 1 a doer of the work By association with the **work** that it takes to carry out God’s commands, James is using the term **work** figuratively to mean what God commands. Alternate translation: “someone who does what God commands” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JAS 1 25 jku1 figs-activepassive οὗτος μακάριος…αὐτοῦ ἔσται 1 this one will be blessed While the word **blessed** is an adjective and so the expression **will be blessed** is not a passive verbal form, it may be clearer in your language to translate this with an active verbal form. Alternate translation: “God will bless such a person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) JAS 1 25 j077 figs-abstractnouns ἐν τῇ ποιήσει 1 in his doing If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind the abstract noun **doing** with a verb such as “do.” Alternate translation: “in what he does” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) JAS 1 26 j078 figs-hypo εἴ τις δοκεῖ θρησκὸς εἶναι, μὴ χαλιναγωγῶν γλῶσσαν αὐτοῦ, ἀλλὰ ἀπατῶν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ, τούτου μάταιος ἡ θρησκεία 1 If anyone thinks to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, the religion of that one is worthless James is using a hypothetical situation to teach. Alternate translation: “Suppose someone thinks that he is religious, but he does not bridle his tongue, thus deceiving his heart. Then his religion is worthless” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]]) @@ -152,11 +152,11 @@ JAS 1 26 j080 translate-unknown μὴ χαλιναγωγῶν γλῶσσαν α JAS 1 26 vxu1 figs-metonymy μὴ χαλιναγωγῶν γλῶσσαν αὐτοῦ 1 not bridling his tongue By association with the way that the **tongue** is used in speech, James is using the term **tongue** figuratively to mean what a person says. Alternate translation: “but he does not control what he says” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JAS 1 26 sex6 figs-synecdoche ἀπατῶν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ 1 deceiving his heart James is figuratively using one part of this hypothetical person, his **heart**, to mean the person himself. Alternate translation: “deceiving himself” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) JAS 1 26 q83d figs-hyperbole τούτου μάταιος ἡ θρησκεία 1 the religion of that one is worthless James says **worthless** as an overstatement for emphasis. There would conceivably still be some value in the religion of a person even if he did not carefully control what he said. But James wants to emphasize how inconsistent it is to claim to love God but then to say things that hurt and disparage other people. He will develop this point further in [3:9–10](../03/09.md). Alternate translation: “his actions are not as pleasing to God as he thinks” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) -JAS 1 27 j081 figs-metaphor θρησκεία καθαρὰ καὶ ἀμίαντος 1 Pure and undefiled religion James is speaking figuratively of **religion** as if it could be physically **pure** and **undefiled**. Alternate translation: “Religion that is pleasing and acceptable to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -JAS 1 27 g11k figs-doublet θρησκεία καθαρὰ καὶ ἀμίαντος 1 Pure and undefiled religion The terms **pure** and **undefiled** mean similar things. They both indicate that something is free of contamination. James is using these terms together for emphasis. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them into a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Religion that is completely acceptable to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) -JAS 1 27 skf4 figs-metaphor παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ 1 before God The word **before** means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person, and in this case **before him** indicates “where God can see.” Seeing, for its part, represents attention and judgment. Alternate translation: “from God’s perspective” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +JAS 1 27 j081 figs-metaphor θρησκεία καθαρὰ καὶ ἀμίαντος 1 Pure and undefiled religion James is speaking figuratively of **religion** as if it could be physically **pure** and **undefiled**. Alternate translation: “Religion that is pleasing and acceptable” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +JAS 1 27 g11k figs-doublet θρησκεία καθαρὰ καὶ ἀμίαντος 1 Pure and undefiled religion The terms **pure** and **undefiled** mean similar things. They both indicate that something is free of contamination. James is using these terms together for emphasis. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them into a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Religion that is completely acceptable” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) +JAS 1 27 skf4 figs-metaphor παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ 1 before God The word **before** means “in front of” or “in the presence of” another person, and in this case **before** him indicates “where God can see.” Seeing, for its part, represents attention and judgment. Alternate translation: “from God’s perspective” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JAS 1 27 j082 figs-hendiadys τῷ Θεῷ καὶ Πατρί 1 God and the Father James is not talking about two different people. He is expressing a single idea by using two nouns connected with **and**. The noun **Father** further identifies **God**. Alternate translation: “God the Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) -JAS 1 27 j083 guidelines-sonofgodprinciples Πατρί 1 the Father This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]]) +JAS 1 27 j083 guidelines-sonofgodprinciples Πατρί 1 the Father **Father** is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]]) JAS 1 27 iiv2 figs-idiom ἐπισκέπτεσθαι ὀρφανοὺς καὶ χήρας ἐν τῇ θλίψει αὐτῶν 1 to look upon orphans and widows in their distress Here, **look upon** is an idiom that means “show concern for” or “help compassionately.” Alternate translation: “to help orphans and widows in their distress” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) JAS 1 27 r8nj figs-explicit ἐπισκέπτεσθαι ὀρφανοὺς καὶ χήρας ἐν τῇ θλίψει αὐτῶν 1 to look upon orphans and widows in their distress James assumes that his readers will know that orphans and widows are in practical and financial **distress** because their fathers or husbands have died and so are no longer providing for them. In this culture, women and children were dependent on male relatives for support. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate explicitly what kind of **distress** James wants his readers to help relieve. Alternate translation: “to help poor orphans and widows with their practical needs” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) JAS 1 27 j084 ἄσπιλον ἑαυτὸν τηρεῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ κόσμου 1 to keep oneself unstained by the world This is not a purpose or result clause. James is not telling his readers that they should help **orphans and widows** in order to stay **unstained by the world** or that this would be the result if they did help them. Rather, James is saying that this is a second thing that characterizes **religion** that pleases God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could add the word “and” before this clause in order to clarify this. @@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ JAS 2 3 j091 figs-idiom ἐπιβλέψητε…ἐπὶ 1 you look at In this c JAS 2 3 j092 figs-yousingular σὺ κάθου ὧδε καλῶς…σὺ στῆθι ἐκεῖ…κάθου ὑπὸ τὸ ὑποπόδιόν μου 1 You sit here well…You stand there…Sit under my footstool Since these comments are addressed to the rich person and to the poor person as individuals, **you** is singular in the first two instances and the implied “you” in the command to **sit** is also singular. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular]]) JAS 2 3 zx9f figs-idiom σὺ κάθου ὧδε καλῶς 1 You sit here well In this context **well** means “honorably.” It does not refer to how well the rich person would be able to sit in the indicated seat. Alternate translation: “Sit here in this place of honor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) JAS 2 3 j093 figs-imperative σὺ κάθου ὧδε καλῶς 1 You sit here well This is an imperative, but it should be translated as a polite request rather than as a command. It may be helpful to add an expression such as “please” to make this clear. Alternate translation: “Please sit here in this place of honor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative]]) -JAS 2 3 j094 grammar-connect-logic-contrast καὶ 1 and This word introduces a contrast between the way the rich person and the poor person are treated. Alternate translation: “but” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) +JAS 2 3 j094 grammar-connect-logic-contrast καὶ 1 and The term **and** introduces a contrast between the way the rich person and the poor person are treated. Alternate translation: “but” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) JAS 2 3 j095 figs-imperative σὺ στῆθι ἐκεῖ…κάθου ὑπὸ τὸ ὑποπόδιόν μου 1 You stand there…Sit under my footstool These statements addressed to the poor person probably are direct imperatives rather than polite requests, since James is illustrating how believers might treat poor people differently from rich people. Not adding “please” to these statements would show the contrast with the way the rich person is addressed. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative]]) JAS 2 3 ce14 figs-explicit σὺ στῆθι ἐκεῖ…κάθου ὑπὸ τὸ ὑποπόδιόν μου 1 You stand there…Sit under my footstool The implications are that the poor person is being told to stand or sit in a humbler and less honorable place. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly, as UST does. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) JAS 2 3 h2fy figs-you κάθου ὑπὸ τὸ ὑποπόδιόν μου 1 Sit under my footstool This imperative statement uses the singular first-person pronoun **my**, since it is something that one of the believers might say to the hypothetical poor person. If this would not be natural in your language, since the statement is introduced by **you** (plural) **say**, you could also use a plural form in the statement itself. Alternate translation: “Sit on the floor by our feet” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) @@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ JAS 2 4 j097 grammar-connect-logic-result οὐ διεκρίθητε ἐν ἑα JAS 2 4 x9el figs-rquestion οὐ διεκρίθητε ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, καὶ ἐγένεσθε κριταὶ διαλογισμῶν πονηρῶν? 1 have you not distinguished among yourselves and become judges of evil thoughts? As James describes this result, he uses the question form for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “you have considered some people better than others, because you have become judges who think evil things!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) JAS 2 4 j098 figs-possession ἐγένεσθε κριταὶ διαλογισμῶν πονηρῶν 1 become judges of evil thoughts James is using the possessive form to describe **judges** who are characterized by **evil thoughts**. He is not speaking of people who judge whether thoughts are evil. Alternate translation: “become judges who think evil things” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) JAS 2 4 j099 figs-explicit ἐγένεσθε κριταὶ διαλογισμῶν πονηρῶν 1 become judges of evil thoughts James is describing something more than passively assuming a certain role and thinking in a certain way. He is describing taking action based on that way of thinking. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “made wrong judgments about how people should be treated and then treated them that way” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) -JAS 2 5 j344 figs-idiom ἀκούσατε 1 Listen James uses this expression this to emphasize what he is about to say. Alternate translation: “Pay attention to this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) +JAS 2 5 j344 figs-idiom ἀκούσατε 1 Listen James uses this expression to emphasize what he is about to say. Alternate translation: “Pay attention to this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) JAS 2 5 m5jr figs-metaphor ἀδελφοί μου ἀγαπητοί 1 my beloved brothers See how you translated this in [1:16](../01/16.md). Alternate translation: “my dear fellow believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JAS 2 5 ha52 figs-rquestion οὐχ ὁ Θεὸς ἐξελέξατο τοὺς πτωχοὺς τῷ κόσμῳ, πλουσίους ἐν πίστει, καὶ κληρονόμους τῆς βασιλείας ἧς ἐπηγγείλατο τοῖς ἀγαπῶσιν αὐτόν? 1 did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to the ones loving him? James is using the question form as a teaching tool. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate his words as a statement. Alternate translation: “God has chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) JAS 2 5 ke2q figs-nominaladj τοὺς πτωχοὺς 1 the poor James is using the adjective **poor** as a noun to refer to a group of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “people who are poor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])