11:34a–b
This verse is a quote from Isaiah 40:13. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.
Some languages use a standard way to introduce Scripture quotes. For example:
For, ⌊as the Holy Book says,⌋ “Who…
Note that “For” is not a part of the words from Isaiah.
Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?: This verse has two questions connected with the word Or. In some languages it is more natural to punctuate them as a single question. For example:
For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?
11:34a
Who has known the mind of the Lord?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that no one knows what the Lord is thinking. Translate with that meaning. Here are some ways:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
who can know the Lord ’s thoughts? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Who knows how the Lord thinks? (God’s Word)
-or-
Has anyone known the thoughts of the Lord(?) (Contemporary English Version)
• As a statement. For example:
No one knows the mind/thoughts of the Lord.
has known: The Greek tense on the verb indicates that Paul spoke in summary about knowing. In some languages the present tense would better indicate that meaning. For example:
knows (Good News Translation)
the Lord: The word Lord refers to someone who has authority over people. Here this phrase refers to God. In some languages it is more natural to indicate who this Lord is. For example:
the Lord ⌊God⌋
See how you translated the word Lord in 4:8 or 11:3.
11:34b
Or who has been His counselor?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that God has never needed the advice of someone. Translate with that meaning. Here are some ways:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Who has ever been his adviser? (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Who advises him?
-or-
Has anyone…given him advice? (Contemporary English Version)
• As a statement. For example:
No one has become his adviser.
-or-
No one is able to advise him.
has been His counselor: The Greek tense on the verb indicates that Paul spoke in summary about becoming God’s counselor. Translate with that meaning. For example:
became His counselor (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
is his counselor
counselor: This word refers to a person who gives advice. He tells someone else what he thinks is the best decision for him to make. See the examples above.
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