4:7a

Other seed fell among thorns: The phrase among thorns probably refers to soil where roots or seeds of thorny plants were present. It is also possible that these seeds fell along the edge of the field where thorny plants were already growing. So when the seeds began to grow, the thorn plants also grew.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Some other seeds fell where thornbushes grew up (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Other seeds fell where thorns habitually grow
-or-
Other seeds fell upon soil with thorn seeds/roots

fell: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fell is the same verb as in 4:4b and 4:5a. Consider whether it is natural in your language to use the same verb or another verb with a similar meaning.

thorns: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as thorns can refer to any kind of thorny plant. In this context, this word probably refers to the seeds or roots of thorny plants. Or it may refer to young thorny plants.

Here are some other ways to translate the word thorns:

• Use a general term in your language for thorny plants or for undesirable plants that compete with grain plants. For example:

young thorny plants/bushes
-or-
thorn seeds/roots
-or-
weeds

• Use a specific word that describes a strong, fast-growing plant from your area that is annoying to farmers. If you choose a specific plant, try to choose one that has thorns.

Do not use a word for a plant that only grows close to the ground (see the note in 4:7b).

4:7b

which grew up: The phrase which grew up refers to the thorn plants growing tall, perhaps one meter or more.

choked the seedlings: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as choked here refers to the way that the thorns crowded the seedlings. These young plants did not have enough room, soil, water, or sunlight to grow well.

Here are some other ways you could translate this:

crowded the grain/good plants
-or-
kept the grain from growing to maturity

the seedlings: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the seedlings is literally “it” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This pronoun refers to the seeds and the plants that grew from those seeds. The New International Version uses the words “the plants.” Use a natural form in your language here.

4:7c

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and here introduces the result of what happened in 4:7b. Use a natural way in your language to indicate that 4:7c is the result of 4:7b.

they yielded no crop: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as yielded…crop refer to producing a harvest. No grain grew from the seeds, so the farmer did not get any harvest from them.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

So those plants did not produce a crop. (New Century Version)
-or-
they did not yield any grain

Use a natural expression in your language for this process.

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