25:1 If controversy arises between people, 3 they should go to court for judgment. When the judges 4 hear the case, they shall exonerate 5 the innocent but condemn 6 the guilty.
1:31 Therefore 7 they will eat from the fruit 8 of their way, 9
and they will be stuffed full 10 of their own counsel.
3:10 Tell the innocent 11 it will go well with them, 12
for they will be rewarded for what they have done. 13
3:11 Too bad for the wicked sinners!
For they will get exactly what they deserve. 14
18:30 “Therefore I will judge each person according to his conduct, 17 O house of Israel, declares the sovereign Lord. Repent 18 and turn from all your wickedness; then it will not be an obstacle leading to iniquity. 19
1 tn That is, “for thousands of generations.”
2 sn As in the ten commandments (20:5-6), this expression shows that the iniquity and its punishment will continue in the family if left unchecked. This does not go on as long as the outcomes for good (thousands versus third or fourth generations), and it is limited to those who hate God.
3 tn Heb “men.”
4 tn Heb “they”; the referent (the judges) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
5 tn Heb “declare to be just”; KJV, NASB “justify the righteous”; NAB, NIV “acquitting the innocent.”
6 tn Heb “declare to be evil”; NIV “condemning the guilty (+ party NAB).”
5 tn The vav (ו) prefixed to the verb וְיֹאכְלוּ (vÿyo’khÿlu) functions in a consecutive logical sense: “therefore.”
6 sn The expression “eat the fruit of” is a figurative expression (hypocatastasis) that compares the consequences of sin to agricultural growth that culminates in produce. They will suffer the consequences of their sinful actions, that is, they will “reap” what they “sow.”
7 sn The words “way” (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh) and “counsel” (מוֹעֵצָה, mo’etsah) stand in strong contrast to the instruction of wisdom which gave counsel and rebuke to encourage a better way. They will bear the consequences of the course they follow and the advice they take (for that wrong advice, e.g., Ps 1:1).
8 tn Heb “to eat to one’s fill.” The verb שָׂבֵעַ (savea’) means (1) positive: “to eat one’s fill” so that one’s appetite is satisfied and (2) negative: “to eat in excess” as a glutton to the point of sickness and revulsion (BDB 959 s.v.). Fools will not only “eat” the fruit of their own way (v. 31a), they will be force-fed this revolting “menu” which will make them want to vomit (v. 31b) and eventually kill them (v. 32).
7 tn Or “the righteous” (KJV, NASB, NIV, TEV); NLT “those who are godly.”
8 tn Heb “that it is good.”
9 tn Heb “for the fruit of their deeds they will eat.”
9 tn Heb “for the work of his hands will be done to him.”
11 tn Heb “be put to death.” The translation follows an alternative reading that appears in several ancient textual witnesses.
12 tn Heb “his blood will be upon him.”
13 tn Heb “ways.”
14 tn The verbs and persons in this verse are plural whereas the individual has been the subject of the chapter.
15 tn Or “leading to punishment.”
15 tn Grk “who.” The relative pronoun was converted to a personal pronoun and, because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
16 tn Or “will render,” “will recompense.” In this context Paul is setting up a hypothetical situation, not stating that salvation is by works.
17 sn A quotation from Ps 62:12; Prov 24:12; a close approximation to Matt 16:27.
17 tn This contrast is clearer and stronger in Greek than can be easily expressed in English.
18 tn Grk “those who [are] from selfish ambition.”
19 tn Grk “are persuaded by, obey.”
19 tn No verb is expressed in this verse, but the verb “to be” is implied by the Greek construction. Literally “suffering and distress on everyone…”
20 tn Grk “every soul of man.”
21 sn Paul uses the term Greek here and in v. 10 to refer to non-Jews, i.e., Gentiles.
21 tn Grk “but even,” to emphasize the contrast. The second word has been omitted since it is somewhat redundant in English idiom.