10:25a–b

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God: This is a comparison that illustrates what Jesus had just said in 10:23b–24c. Jesus compared a difficult thing (a rich man entering the kingdom of God) to an impossible thing (a camel passing through the eye of a needle). This comparison shows that it is also impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

It may be more natural in your language to translate the comparison in another way. For example:

It is more difficult for a rich man to go into the kingdom of God.than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.
-or-
However difficult it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, it is even more difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

a camel: The camel is a large, four-legged animal. A camel weighs about 600 kilograms (1300 pounds). It is two meters (6.5 feet) tall at the shoulder. It carries people and cargo. It was one of the largest animals common in Israel.

If camels are not known in your area, here are some ways to translate it:

• Write the word camel according to the sounds of your language and add a descriptive phrase. For example:

a large animal called a camel

• Borrow the word that means camel from another language. If this word is not well known, you may want to add a descriptive phrase.

• Use only a descriptive phrase instead of the word camel. For example:

a large animal

You may want to include a picture of a camel in your translation. You may also want to include a footnote to give more information. For example:

Literally “a camel.” A camel is a large four-legged animal that weighs about 600 kilograms and is about two meters tall at the shoulder. It was one of the largest animals in Israel.

the eye of a needle: The phrase the eye of a needle refers to the small hole in a sewing needle. The thread passes through this hole. Jesus used this phrase as an example of a very small hole. Use an expression for this that is natural in your language. For example:

the hole of a needle
-or-
a sewing needle hole

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