4:17 They court you eagerly, 3 but for no good purpose; 4 they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly. 5 4:18 However, it is good 6 to be sought eagerly 7 for a good purpose 8 at all times, and not only when I am present with you.
1 tn Or “blessedness.”
2 tn Or “have I become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?” The participle ἀληθεύων (alhqeuwn) can be translated as a causal adverbial participle or as a participle of means (as in the translation).
3 tn Or “They are zealous for you.”
4 tn Or “but not commendably” (BDAG 505 s.v. καλῶς 2).
5 tn Or “so that you would be zealous.”
4 tn Or “commendable.”
5 tn Or “to be zealous.”
6 tn Grk “But it is always good to be zealous in good.”