13:14a
The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated literally means “and” (as in the NET Bible). This conjunction simply connects this verse to the previous verse.
Here is another way to connect this verse to the previous verse:
• Indicate that this verse is the result or conclusion of the previous verse. For example:
So (Good News Translation)
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: The pronoun them refers to the people in 13:13. It refers to the Jews of Jesus’ time who did not believe in Jesus. The phrase In them indicates that they made Isaiah’s prophecy come true.
This clause is passive. Here are some ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
The prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled in them (Revised English Bible)
• Use an active verb. For example:
they make Isaiah’s prophecy come true (God’s Word)
• Use another type of verb. For example:
The things that the prophet Isaiah foretold/predicted, these things have come true through them.
-or-
The things that the prophet Isaiah foretold have happened to them.
fulfilled: The word fulfilled means “come true.”
This word last occurred in 12:17.
13:14b
In 13:14b–15g, Jesus quoted a passage from the Old Testament book of Isaiah.
You will be ever hearing: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You will be ever hearing is more literally “Hearing you will hear.” This expression emphasizes the fact that the Jews will hear God’s truth.
Here are some ways to translate this clause:
• Focus on the fact that the Jews will definitely hear the message. For example:
You will surely/certainly hear
-or-
You will hear clearly (God’s Word)
-or-
You will hear well
• Focus on the fact that the Jews will hear the message more than once. For example:
You will repeatedly hear
-or-
You will listen and listen (New Century Version)
but never understanding: There is a contrast between the two clauses in 13:14b. The contrast is between the verbs “hearing” and never understanding. Many English versions indicate this contrast with the conjunction but.
Other English versions do not put a conjunction here. For example:
you will not understand (New Living Translation (2004))
13:14c
you will be ever seeing: This clause is parallel to 13:14b. It emphasizes the fact that the Jews will see what God does.
Here are some ways to translate this clause:
• Focus on the fact that the Jews will definitely see what God does. For example:
you will certainly/clearly see
-or-
You will see clearly (God’s Word)
-or-
you will see well ⌊what I do⌋
• Focus on the fact that the Jews will see God work more than one time. For example:
You will repeatedly see
-or-
You will look and look (New Century Version)
but never perceiving: The verb perceiving refers to understanding what is seen.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
but never comprehend (God’s Word)
-or-
but never understand ⌊it⌋
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