15:13a
After a few days: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as After a few days is more literally “Not many days later.” For example:
After a few days (Good News Translation)
the younger son got everything together: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as got everything together indicates that he gathered all his possessions that could be moved. The context probably implies that the younger son sold all his share of the property as soon as he could. Then he packed up his money and everything else that he wanted to take with him. Other ways to translate this clause are:
the younger son sold his part of the property and left home with the money (Good News Translation)
-or-
the younger son sold his share and took his money and possessions
15:13b
journeyed to a distant country: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as journeyed to a distant country means here that the younger son left home and traveled to a foreign land that was far from his home.
15:13c
In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit that the younger son not only set off for this distant country but actually reached it. For example:
⌊When he arrived⌋…
squandered his wealth in wild living: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as squandered his wealth means “wasted his money.” The younger son was extravagant and wasteful. He did not try to use his money wisely. Other ways to translate this are:
he wasted his money by behaving in ways that were not appropriate
-or-
he did all sorts of useless things and wasted his wealth
wild living: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wild living refers to a way of life that is reckless and immoral. It would have included activities like gambling, getting drunk, holding big parties, and spending time with immoral women.
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