6:26a
Look at the birds of the air: This clause begins an example of why his disciples should not worry. In some languages, it may be necessary to include some implied information to indicate that this is an example. Here is one way to do this:
⌊For example,⌋ look at the birds of the air
Look at: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Look at in this context means “Think about carefully.” If people in your area will think this command is only to literally Look, you may want to use another verb. For example:
Consider
-or-
Think about
birds of the air: The phrase birds of the air is a Jewish way of saying simply “birds.” In many languages it will not be necessary to translate the words of the air. For example:
birds (Good News Translation)
6:26b
They do not sow: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sow means to “plant by throwing.” The particular method of planting is unimportant here. You will want to use a general verb for planting seeds or cultivating crops. For example:
they do not plant seeds (Good News Translation)
-or-
They don’t plant (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They do not make fields
or reap: The word reap means “harvest a crop.” The particular method of “reaping” is unimportant here. You will want to use a general verb for harvesting crops.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
gather a harvest (Good News Translation)
-or-
or harvest (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
harvest/cut grain
or gather into barns: The word barns refers to buildings used for storing food for later use. It is implied that Jesus was referring to the harvest or grain that is gathered into the barns.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
gather ⌊the grain⌋ ⌊and put⌋ in storerooms
-or-
put ⌊the crops/seed⌋ in storage places/bins
-or-
place ⌊the grain⌋ in a granary
6:26c
and yet: Verse 6:26c is an unexpected outcome of the statements about birds. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word yet to indicate this unexpected result. Birds do not plant, harvest, or store grain. In spite of that, they have enough food to eat.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
but (New Century Version)
-or-
nevertheless
-or-
but even so
your heavenly Father: The phrase your heavenly Father refers to God who lives in heaven. If the use of your implies that God is not also Jesus’ Father, it may be more natural to say “our” father.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
your Father ⌊who is/lives⌋ in heaven
-or-
⌊God,⌋ your/our(incl.) Father in heaven
feeds them: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as feeds them refers to providing food for the birds.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
provides food for them
-or-
takes care of them (Good News Translation)
Implied in this statement is ⌊they do not starve because⌋ your heavenly Father feeds them.
6:26d
Are you not much more valuable than they?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that you are truly more valuable to God than birds are. Jesus was using a method that is called arguing from the lesser to the greater. If God takes care of the less important birds, he will take care of you because you are more important. The pronoun you is emphasized in the Greek. Some ways to translate this emphasis are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
You are much more valuable than they are, are you not?
-or-
Are you not worth more than the birds? (Revised English Bible)
• As a statement. For example:
And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. (New Century Version)
-or-
And of course, you are more valuable to God than mere birds are.
Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.
The implied conclusion of this verse is that God will provide food for people too. If people in your area will not come to that conclusion, you may want to include it in the text or in a footnote.
Here is an example of including it in the text:
You are certainly much more valuable ⌊to God⌋ than the birds. ⌊So God will certainly provide the food you need.⌋
Here is an example footnote:
Jesus expected the disciples to understand that God will provide the food they need.
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