18:3a

Truly I tell you: Jesus often used the words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Truly I tell you to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize. When he began a statement with these words, he was asking people to listen with extra attention.

Here are some other ways to introduce this:

I assure you (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Listen to this:
-or-
Let me tell you this:

If you have another way in your language to emphasize a statement or to alert people to listen with special attention, consider using it here.

This clause first occurs in 5:18a. It also occurs in 17:20b. You should translate it here as you did there.

you: In Greek, the pronoun you is plural here. Jesus addressed his disciples, not the child.

18:3b

unless you change: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unless you change can also be translated as “if you do not turn.” Here the verb translated as change is used figuratively. It refers to an inward change of attitude.

Here are some other ways to translate the clause:

if you do not turn
-or-
if you do not change your mind/thinking
-or-
You must change your thinking…. If you do not

and become like little children: This clause is a comparison. Jesus told the disciples that it was necessary for them to become like children in their attitudes and thinking. Jesus meant that they should be humble like children. This idea is made clear in the next verse, so you should not put it here.

18:3c

you will never enter: The Berean Standard Bible translates two Greek words as the single word never. In Greek, this is a double negative. This means that the two words make this negative statement emphatic.

Here are some other ways to translate this double negative:

you will certainly not enter
-or-
you absolutely cannot enter

enter the kingdom of heaven: In this context, the word enter refers to “becoming a citizen of.” When people change their attitudes and follow Jesus, they become citizens/members of the kingdom of heaven.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

become a citizen of the kingdom of heaven
-or-
become one of those who are in the kingdom of ⌊the one who lives in⌋ heaven

-or-

be added to those over whom God rules

This same expression occurs in 5:20b. You should translate it the same way in both places.

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