Paragraph 14:31–33

See the summary of Paragraph 14:28–30. This paragraph gives a second parallel example that illustrates the importance of thinking carefully before deciding to start something. The structure of this example, using a rhetorical question, is very similar to 14:28–30, so you may be able to make similar kinds of translation adjustments.

14:31a–d

Or: In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Or. This conjunction introduces another example that makes the same point. It does not introduce an alternative example (either this or that). Other ways to introduce a similar example are:

In the same way
-or-
Here is another example

what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand?: As the Berean Standard Bible shows, in Greek, 14:31a–d is a single rhetorical question, as in 14:28. Another way to translate this is:

Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? (New Living Translation (2004))

The function of the rhetorical question is to emphasize that the king would certainly sit down and make plans. He would decide whether his men are able to defeat the other kings’ men before he goes out and begins to fight. Other ways to translate this question are:

• As two or more rhetorical questions. For example:

What will a king do if he has only ten thousand soldiers to defend himself against a king who is about to attack him with twenty thousand soldiers? Before he goes out to battle, won’t he first sit down and decide if he can win? (Contemporary English Version)

Notice that the Contemporary English Version has reordered the information. For another suggestion about reordering, see the General Comment on 14:31a–d at the end of 14:31d.

• As one or more statements. For example:

If a king goes out with ten thousand men to fight another king who comes against him with twenty thousand men, he will sit down first and decide if he is strong enough to face that other king. (Good News Translation)
-or-
If a king is going to fight another king, first he will sit down and plan. He will decide if he and his ten thousand soldiers can defeat the other king who has twenty thousand soldiers. (New Century Version)

• As a combination of statements and questions. For example:

Or suppose a king is going to war against another king. He would first sit down and think things through. Can he and his 10,000 soldiers fight against a king with 20,000 soldiers? (God’s Word)

14:31a

what king on his way to war with another king: In this example the first king discovers that another king is bringing his soldiers to attack him. This first king who is on his way to war is wondering whether to defend himself or to surrender. Some ways to make this clear are:

suppose a king is facing an attack from another king
-or-
if a king is about to be attacked by another king ⌊and his army⌋

The kings represent themselves and their soldiers. Be sure that is clear in your language. See the preceding example.

14:31b–c

sit down and consider: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as consider means to think about carefully in order to decide. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

sit down and think things through (God’s Word)
-or-
sit down and plan. He will decide (New Century Version)

It is likely that the king planned and discussed the situation with a group of advisers (see the New Living Translation (2004) example in the first note on 14:31), but this information is not implied in the text itself.

sit down: See the note on sit down in 14:28b.

14:31d

engage: In this context the verb engage means to successfully defend oneself against an enemy. Other ways to translate this are:

to defend himself against (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
can defeat (New Century Version)

the one coming against him with twenty thousand: The phrase the one coming against him refers to the king who is coming to attack the first king. The phrase with twenty thousand means “with an army of twenty thousand men.” This is twice the size of the first king’s army, so in some languages it may be natural to translate this as:

with an army twice the size of his

General Comment on 14:31a–d

In some languages it may be necessary to reorder the parts in this verse to explain the situation at the beginning of the verse. For example:

31aTake another example. Suppose there is a king 31cwho has ten thousand soldiers. 31aIf he wants to defend himself against 31danother king with twenty thousand soldiers, 31bwhat will he do? First he will sit down and carefully consider 31cwhether he can 31dsuccessfully defeat this king.

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