7:23a

In the Greek, 7:23a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “and” or “but.” There is contrast between what the people of 7:22 wanted and what Jesus said here. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this conjunction but leaves the contrast implicit. In some languages, it will be more natural to make the contrast more explicit. For example:

But (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Nevertheless
-or-
However

I: The pronoun I refers to Jesus.

will tell them plainly: This phrase refers to openly saying something to the people of 7:22.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

will tell them clearly (New Century Version)
-or-
will say to them directly/frankly
-or-
will answer them

7:23b

I never knew you: The clause I never knew you indicates that Jesus did not consider these people to be his followers. All people will stand before Jesus at the final judgment, and Jesus will know their names and what they did. But the people of 7:22 never belonged to God’s kingdom.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I do not consider you to be my people
-or-
You are not my people
-or-
I do not recognize you

depart from Me: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as depart from Me also means:

leave me
-or-
go away from me

you workers of lawlessness: The phrase workers of lawlessness refers to people who do deeds that are against the law. This phrase implies that they did these things as a habit, even though they claimed to do good.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

you who do evil (New Century Version)
-or-
you who break God’s laws (New Living Translation (2004))

Some other issues to consider when you translate this phrase are:

• This phrase is also a direct address. Jesus used the expression like a title or a name. The Berean Standard Bible supplies the pronoun you to make the English natural. In some languages, it is more natural not to supply the pronoun. For example:

evil doers
-or-
law breakers

• In some languages, it is more natural to put this phrase first in 7:23b. For example:

Evil doers, I never knew you. Get away from me!

• This is a quote within a quote. So in some languages, it is more natural to state it more indirectly. For example:

I will say to them that they are evil doers and should go away because I refuse to acknowledge them as my people.

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