Paragraph 3:13–17

3:13

Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?: This is a rhetorical question with the implied answer “No one.” It is really a strong negative statement. There are two ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Who is going to do you harm if you are devoted to what is good? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Can anyone really harm you for being eager to do good deeds? (Contemporary English Version)

• As an emphatic statement. For example:

Surely no one will harm you if you are eager to do good!
-or-
No one is going to harm you for working hard to do what is right!

Use whichever form is most natural for a strong negative statement in your language.

zealous for what is good: The word eager describes someone who has a strong interest or desire in something. Some other ways this word can be translated include:

devoted (NET Bible)
-or-
trying hard (New Century Version)

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