16:25a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces Abraham’s polite refusal of the rich man’s request. Some versions do not translate this conjunction explicitly.

Abraham answered: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as answered is literally “said.” The Revised Standard Version and several other English versions translate it that way. Use a verb that is natural in your language for answering a request in this way.

Child: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Child means “descendant.” Use a term of address that an old man might use for an adult great-grandchild or great-great-grandchild.

remember: In this context remember means to think about or consider something that one already knows. In some languages it may be more natural to put a colon or period at the end of this statement and start a new clause in 16:25b. For example:

remember this: in your lifetime…

16:25b

during your lifetime: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as during your lifetime means “while you were alive.” In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit that this phrase refers to the rich man’s life on the earth before he died. For example:

when you lived ⌊on the earth⌋

you received your good things: In this context, the clause you received your good things probably means “you received all the good things that you desired.” The rich man had lived a very comfortable life, with plenty to eat and fine clothes to wear. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

you had everything you wanted (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you had your fill of good things (New Jerusalem Bible)

16:25c

while Lazarus: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as while Lazarus introduces a contrast with the rich man’s life. The life of Lazarus had been very different. The Revised Standard Version and several other English versions introduce the contrast with “and Lazarus.” In some languages it may be natural to indicate this contrast more explicitly. For example:

and/but as for Lazarus, he…

received bad things: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as received bad things is literally “likewise bad things.” The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the verb received from the preceding context. The whole clause means “As for Lazarus, he experienced all kinds of bad things in his lifetime.” He had a very hard life and suffered in many ways. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Lazarus’ life was filled with misery (God’s Word)
-or-
bad things happened to Lazarus (New Century Version)

16:25d

But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony: This part of the verse expresses a complete contrast between the present situation of the two men and their situation before they died (16:25b–c).

he is comforted: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he is comforted refers to the mental comfort and encouragement that Lazarus was receiving from being in his present enjoyable situation with Abraham. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

he is happy (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he is enjoying himself (Good News Translation)
-or-
he receives comfort/encouragement

here: The word here refers to the place where the poor man now was. Since Abraham is the one speaking, in some languages it may be possible to translate here as “with me.”

you are in agony: See the note on 16:24c. In some languages it may be natural to supply a word such as “there” to correspond with the contrasting word “here” in the preceding clause.

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