en_tn_condensed/mat/05/21.md

# General Information:

Jesus is talking to a group of people about what they as individuals should and should not do. The "you" is plural in "you have heard." The understood "you" is singular in "Do not kill," but in some languages it may need to be translated as plural. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you]])

# Connecting Statement:

Jesus continues to teach about how he has come to fulfill the Old Testament law. Here he begins to speak about murder and anger.

# it was said to them in ancient times

This can be expressed with an active verb. Alternate translation: "God said to those who lived long ago" or "Moses said to your ancestors long ago" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive]])

# Whoever kills will be held accountable to the judgment

The abstract noun "judgment" can be translated using the word "judge." The passive verb "be held accountable" can be translated in active form, with the subject, "judge," made explicit. A judge, either God or a human judge, will condemn the person to die. Alternate translation: "Whoever kills will be held accountable by the judge" or "The judge will condemn anyone who kills another person" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive]])

# kill ... kills

This word refers to murder, not to all forms of killing.