14:14a
you will be blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blessed here refers to being in a good situation. This situation is a result of God showing favor or kindness to that person. Some other ways to translate this word are:
you will be truly fortunate/happy
-or-
God will bless/favor you
See the notes on this word in 1:45a–b and 11:27b. See bless, Meaning 3, in the Glossary.
14:14b
Since: In Greek, this verse part begins with a conjunction that some versions, such as the Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, translate as “because.” This conjunction introduces the reason why the host who invites the poor will be blessed. This reason is given in 14:14b–c. 14:14b gives the negative part of the reason: Poor people cannot repay you here in this life. 14:14c gives the positive part of the reason: God will repay you in the future. See the General Comment at the end of 14:14c for a way to reorder these verse parts.
The Berean Standard Bible uses the conjunction Since here because the negative clause in 14:14b is not a blessing in itself. This helps the reader to understand that the blessing will come from God in the future. Consider how to connect these clauses so that your readers correctly understand the reason for the blessing.
they cannot repay you: The expression they cannot repay you means that the poor and disabled are not able to do the same kind of thing for the host as he has done for them. They are too poor or too weak to have a feast to which they could invite others.
14:14c
you will be repaid: The clause you will be repaid is a passive clause. The implied subject is God. Other ways to translate this clause are:
you will be rewarded
-or-
God will bless you and reward you (Contemporary English Version)
at the resurrection of the righteous: The phrase the resurrection of the righteous refers to the time in the future when God will cause all the righteous people who have died to live again. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
when the good people rise from the dead (New Century Version)
-or-
when upright people come to life again
-or-
on the day when God causes righteous people to live again
the righteous: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the righteous probably refers to people whom God accepts as righteous. He considers them to be just and good according to his standards. Some ways to translate this are:
all those who have a right relationship with God
-or-
those who have God’s approval (God’s Word)
-or-
those whom he/God considers to be good/righteous
In some languages people use an idiom to express this meaning. For example:
those who follow a straight path
-or-
upright people
General Comment on 14:14b–c
In some languages it may be more natural to place 14:14c before 14:14b. This may help readers to understand the reason why those who invite the poor and crippled in 14:14a are blessed. For example:
14cThen at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you 14bfor inviting those who could not repay you. (New Living Translation (2004))
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