13:8a

In the Greek text this verse part connects to the previous verse part with a conjunction that many English versions translate as “and.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate it. But since it introduces the gardener’s suggestion of doing something different from what his master had said, you may wish to translate it as “But.”

Sir: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Sir literally means “master” or “lord.” It was the normal, respectful way for a servant to address his master. You should use a natural term of address that has this function in your language.

the man replied: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the man replied is literally “he replied.” Refer to the servant in the way that is natural in your language.

In Greek the words “he replied” occur before the word “Sir.” The Berean Standard Bible has placed this phrase in the middle of what the gardener was saying. Place it where it is natural in your language.

leave it alone again this year: The gardener was asking the owner to let the fig tree live for one more year. He wanted to give it another opportunity to bear fruit. It is clear from the following context that the gardener did not want the tree to be left literally alone or ignored. Other ways to translate this request are:

let the tree have one more year to produce fruit (New Century Version)
-or-
let it stand for one more year (God’s Word)
-or-
give it one more chance. Leave it another year (New Living Translation (2004))

Be sure to translate this request in a way that shows proper respect in your language. It may be necessary to use a polite word such as “please” or to use a different form of the verb so that it does not sound as if the servant is giving orders to his master. For example:

please let it stay in the garden this next year also
-or-
perhaps it would be good if we(dual) allowed the tree one more year

13:8b

until I dig around it: The gardener was saying that he would care for the fig tree in a special way. He would loosen the soil around the base of the tree, probably using a hoe or similar tool. Other ways to translate this are:

Let me dig up the dirt around it (New Century Version)
-or-
I will hoe/cultivate the soil at its base
-or-
I will loosen/soften the ground around it

13:8c

and fertilize it: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fertilize it is literally “put-on dung/manure.” The gardener planned to put manure on the ground around the tree to improve the soil quality. This would help the tree to grow better and bear fruit. Some ways to translate this idea are:

• Describe the material used. For example:

put manure/compost/fertilizer

• Describe the function. For example:

make the soil better

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