# They are darkened in their understanding

They no longer think or reason clearly. Alternate translation: "They have darkened their thoughts" or "They are not able to understand" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Because they do not know God, they cannot live the way God wants his people to live" or "They have cut themselves off from the life of God by their ignorance" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# alienated

"cut off" or "separated"

# ignorance

"lack of knowledge" or "lack of information"

# because of the hardness of their hearts

Here "hearts" is a metaphor for people's minds. The phrase "hardness of their hearts" is a metaphor that means "stubbornness." Alternate translation: "because they are stubborn" or "because they refuse to listen to God" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

