5:9a

Blessed are: For help in translating the word Blessed, see the note at 5:3a.

the peacemakers: The word peacemakers refers to people who help others to reconcile. They try to make peace between people or groups of people who are involved in serious disagreements, quarrels, or fights. People who are peacemakers try to calm down the quarreling people. They try to get each person to forgive the other. And they try to help the adversaries find a favorable solution to the conflict.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Those who work to bring peace (New Century Version)
-or-
those who help people reconcile
-or-
those who help others find harmony with one another
-or-
those who help others get along with one another

5:9b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason that “the peacemakers” are blessed. They are blessed because they will be called sons of God. For example:

because God will call them his children (New Century Version)

In some languages, no conjunction is necessary here. For example:

They will be called God’s children. (God’s Word)

In other languages, it will be more natural to put 5:9b before 5:9a. For example:

Those who are peacemakers will be called the sons of God, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.
-or-

⌊God⌋ will call the peacemakers his children, ⌊so⌋ they are blessed.

they will be called sons of God: The clause they will be called sons of God is passive. God is the one who calls peacemakers sons of God.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

they will be called God’s sons/children

• Use an active verb. For example:

God will call them his children (Good News Translation)

-or-

God will say that they are his children

In some languages it may be more natural to use direct speech here. For example:

God will say to them, “You are my children.”

sons: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sons can also refer generally to “offspring,” both male and female. It refers to adults who are children of someone. Several English versions translate this word as “children.”

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