15:4a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces an explanation of 15:3.

Here are some other ways to introduce this explanation:

For example (God’s Word)
-or-
For instance (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages, it may be natural to give an example without any conjunction to introduce it.

God said: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have God said. For example:

God said (Berean Standard Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Century Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts have God commanded. For example:

God commanded (Revised Standard Version)

(English Standard Version, King James Version, Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version)

In this case, it is recommended that you follow the option that is most natural in your language.

Honor your father and mother: This is the fifth of the ten commandments (Exodus 20:12). The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Honor also means “respect.” To honor/respect your parents meant that you should help them with their needs.

Here are some other ways to translate this command:

Respect your father and your mother (Good News Translation)
-or-
You (sing.) must honor your father and your mother.

In Greek, this command is singular. But it is a command to each person. In some languages, it may be more natural to use a plural or another form. For example:

You (plur.) must honor your father and your mother.
-or-
A person must respect his father and his mother.

15:4b

Anyone who curses his father or mother: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as curses means “speaks evil of,” “insults,” or “reviles.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Whoever reviles father or mother (English Standard Version)
-or-
He who speaks evil of father or mother (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Whoever insults his father or mother (NET Bible)
-or-
Anyone who says cruel things to his father or mother (New Century Version)

must be put to death: This phrase indicates that the person must be killed. It means that other Jews must kill the person who speaks evil of his parents.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

must surely die (English Standard Version)
-or-
must be killed

-or-

⌊people⌋ must kill ⌊him⌋

General Comment on 15:4b

In some languages, it may be natural to change the order of the clauses in this part of the verse. For example:

They must kill him/the one who insults his father or mother

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