The one long sentence, verses 1-4, should be broken up into several sentences. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version do that; but see another model at the end of the comments on verse 4.

A prophet is a person who announces (or, claims to announce) God’s message to the people. If the usual word for prophet that has been employed in a language means only someone who foretells the future, it will be helpful in this context to say something like the following: “Suppose a person appears who claims to speak God’s message….”

A dreamer of dreams is someone who has dreams that are regarded as messages from God. Some people had the ability to interpret them; for example, Joseph (Genesis 40–41), and Daniel (Daniel 2 and 4); see also Num 12.6 and Joel 2.28.

Gives you a sign or a wonder: it is not certain whether in this context the Hebrew verb gives means “performs [for you]” or “tells [you].” New International Version and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible have “announces to you”; Good News Translation has “promises.” The latter idea of “saying” or “announcing” is recommended by this Handbook. The meaning is that the prophet has proof that a miracle will occur.

A sign or a wonder: any extraordinary event that is seen as a miracle, a demonstration of God’s power (see 4.34; 6.22).

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• Suppose a prophet or an interpreter of dreams appears and says that he has proof that a miracle is going to happen.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .