8:26a
I have much to say about you and much to judge: Jesus indicated that he could strongly condemn the religious leaders. However, he implied that he would not do so, at least not at that time. In some languages it is more natural to say:
I have a lot I could say about you and a lot I could condemn you for. (God’s Word)
-or-
I have many things to say and to judge about you (NET Bible Bible)
much to say…and much to judge: The two verbs to say and to judge do not represent two different actions. They describe one activity. It may be natural to indicate this by following one of these models:
There is a lot more I could say to condemn you. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I have much to say in judgment of you. (New International Version)
8:26b
But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But here introduces a contrast. However, the contrast is not clear. Jesus has just said that he had many things to say to condemn them. The contrast seems to be that he had much to say, but he would only say what the Father wanted him to. So Jesus implied that he would not say all he could say (he would only say what God wanted).
If you translate this verse literally, it may indicate in many languages that God is true but not Jesus. In order to avoid this wrong meaning, it may be necessary to make explicit that Jesus will not say all he has to condemn. For example:
I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. (New Living Translation (2004))
Also the note on 8:26c and the General Comment on 8:26b–c include other examples that do not imply that Jesus is not true.
the One who sent Me is truthful: Jesus declared that his Father is true, which means that he is truthful (honest). God always speaks the truth, and he will therefore judge correctly. Here is another way to translate this clause:
he who sent me is reliable (New International Version)
8:26c
and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world: Jesus said exactly what God told him to say. What Jesus said was therefore true and reliable. Several English translations make it explicit that Jesus declares only what he heard from the Father. This helps to make it clear that the contrast in 8:26b–c is between what Jesus does and does not say. If it is natural in your language, you may want to make this explicit. For example:
I tell the world only what I have heard from him. (Good News Translation)
the world: This phrase refers to the people in the world, and includes the people that Jesus was talking to. Here are some ways to make that clearer:
the people of the world (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
people (New Century Version)
-or-
all people here on earth
General Comment on 8:26b–c
In some languages it may be necessary to reverse 8:26b and 8:26c in order to make the contrast clear. In your translation, make sure that the contrast is between what Jesus will and will not say, not between Jesus and the truthful (honest) one who sent him. For example:
But 26c I tell people only the things I have heard from the One sent me, 26b and he speaks the truth. (New Century Version)
-or-
26c For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, 26b and he is completely truthful. (New Living Translation (2004))
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