1:3 They said to me, “The remnant that remains from the exile there in the province are experiencing considerable 1 adversity and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem lies breached, and its gates have been burned down!” 2
1:4 When I heard these things I sat down abruptly, 3 crying and mourning for several days. I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
12:1 Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, 4 by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God 5 – which is your reasonable service.
6:1 Brothers and sisters, 6 if a person 7 is discovered in some sin, 8 you who are spiritual 9 restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. 10 Pay close attention 11 to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
6:1 Brothers and sisters, 12 if a person 13 is discovered in some sin, 14 you who are spiritual 15 restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. 16 Pay close attention 17 to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.
1 tn Heb “great.”
2 tn Heb “have been burned with fire” (so also in Neh 2:17). The expression “burned with fire” is redundant in contemporary English; the translation uses “burned down” for stylistic reasons.
3 tn Heb “sat down.” Context suggests that this was a rather sudden action, resulting from the emotional shock of the unpleasant news, so “abruptly” has been supplied in the present translation.
4 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:13.
5 tn The participle and two adjectives “alive, holy, and pleasing to God” are taken as predicates in relation to “sacrifice,” making the exhortation more emphatic. See ExSyn 618-19.
6 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.
7 tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women.
8 tn Or “some transgression” (L&N 88.297).
9 sn Who are spiritual refers to people who are controlled and directed by God’s Spirit.
10 tn Or “with a gentle spirit” or “gently.”
11 tn Grk “taking careful notice.”
12 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.
13 tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women.
14 tn Or “some transgression” (L&N 88.297).
15 sn Who are spiritual refers to people who are controlled and directed by God’s Spirit.
16 tn Or “with a gentle spirit” or “gently.”
17 tn Grk “taking careful notice.”
18 tn For the Greek verb προευαγγελίζομαι (proeuangelizomai) translated as “proclaim the gospel ahead of time,” compare L&N 33.216.
19 tn The same plural Greek word, τὰ ἔθνη (ta eqnh), can be translated as “nations” or “Gentiles.”
20 sn A quotation from Gen 12:3; 18:18.