7:35

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But is most often translated as “and.” However, in this context there is clear contrast between 7:31–34 and 7:35. The Jewish leaders rejected John and Jesus, but Jesus defended John and himself with the proverb in this verse. Many English versions introduce the verse with a conjunction that expresses contrast. For example:

Nevertheless (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Yet (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
however (Good News Translation)

In some languages a conjunction may not be needed. Indicate the contrast in a natural way in your language.

wisdom is vindicated by all her children: This sentence may be a Jewish saying or proverb. In it, wisdom is talked about as if it were a person. Those who follow wisdom (those who act wisely) are called her children. The general meaning is that wisdom is proven to be truly wisdom by the good results that come from it. Here Jesus was speaking of people such as himself and John and those who followed his teachings and John’s. Such people prove that they are truly wise by their good character and the good results of wisdom in their lives.

Some ways to translate this include:

wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Wisdom is shown to be right by what its followers do. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
wisdom is proved right by all its results (God’s Word)

This is a passive clause. In some languages it is more natural to use an active verb here. For example:

all the children of wisdom prove her to be right

wisdom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wisdom refers to understanding and insight. This insight results in actions that are right and sensible. In some languages it may be natural to translate this idea as a verbal expression or in some other way. In some languages you may have an idiom to express this. Some ways to translate it are:

being wise
-or-
understanding ⌊things⌋
-or-
thinking wisely

vindicated: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as vindicated is literally “justified.” Here it means “shown/proved to be right.” It is the same word that was translated as “acknowledged God’s justice” in 7:29b.

by all her children: The phrase her children refers to the children of “wisdom.” Here wisdom is talked about as if it were a person and had children. In some languages this may not be natural, and you may need to translate the meaning more explicitly. For example:

by all who accept it (Good News Translation)
-or-
by what it does (New Century Version)
-or-
by those who follow it

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