10:42a

But only one thing is necessary: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek texts say: “but ⌊only⌋ one ⌊thing⌋ is needed.” For example:

but only one thing is necessary (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) Other Greek texts say: “but few ⌊things⌋ are needed, or ⌊only⌋ one.” For example:

and yet few are needed, indeed only one (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with the majority of English versions.

But: In contrast with the “many things” that Martha was worried about in 10:41, 10:42a speaks about “only one thing” being necessary. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the word But. Connect these two verses in a way that naturally shows this kind of contrast in your language.

only one thing is necessary: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as only one thing is necessary indicates that only one thing is truly important or necessary in a person’s life. Jesus did not specify here what that thing is. However, the context shows that he was referring to the same thing that Mary chose (10:42b). She chose to listen to what Jesus was teaching about God and his kingdom. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Only one thing is important. (New Century Version)
-or-
There is only one thing worth being concerned about. (New Living Translation (2004))

10:42b

Mary has chosen the good portion: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Mary has chosen the good portion is more literally “Mary has chosen the good part.” This refers to the fact that Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from him. She chose to do this rather than to work hard at providing a nice big meal for him. Learning from Jesus was the more important thing. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Mary has chosen the right thing (Good News Translation)
-or-
Mary has chosen what is best (Contemporary English Version)

10:42c

and it will not be taken away from her: The Greek pronoun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it refers to the good part that Mary had chosen. This good part was to listen to Jesus. That privilege should not be taken away from her.

In some languages it may be necessary to say who would not “take away” from Mary the good thing that she had chosen. Jesus probably meant that neither he nor Martha nor anyone else should take it away. He would not tell Mary to help in the kitchen, and he would not let Martha or anyone else force Mary to leave him. Some other ways to translate this are:

which will/must not be taken away from her ⌊by anyone⌋ (Translator’s Reference Translation)
-or-
no one should take it away from her

In some languages it will not be possible to translate this literally, because “listening to Jesus” is not an object that someone can actually take away from a person. In those languages it may be necessary to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

and no one should make her stop ⌊listening to me⌋.

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