15:21a
Rather: The Greek word indicates strong contrast. But the quote (15:21b–c) contrasts to “building on someone else’s foundation.” The quote supports “I would not be building on someone else’s foundation” (15:20c) rather than contrasts with it.
In some languages indicating contrast would indicate the correct meaning of the connection. But in some languages omitting the contrast would indicate the correct connection. For example:
As the scripture says (Good News Translation)
-or-
in accordance with scripture: (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
It is just as the Scriptures say (Contemporary English Version)
as it is written: This clause introduces a quote from Scripture. See how you translated this clause in 15:9, except that here the prophet Isaiah wrote instead of King David.
15:21b
This quote is from Isaiah 52:15. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.
Those who were not told: This is a passive clause. It implies someone telling these people rather than just overhearing the message. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
Those whom someone has not told
Some languages can use “hear” and still imply that someone told them rather than just overhearing. For example:
Those who have not heard
about Him: Here the word about means “concerning.” For example:
of him (English Standard Version)
The word Him refers to the person whom God called “my servant” in Isaiah 52:13. Jews of Paul’s time understood this as a reference to the Messiah. This is a quote from the Old Testament. You should not explain to whom Him refers in your translation, or add the name Jesus. You may want to explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
This refers to the Messiah, whom God called “my servant” just a few verses earlier, in Isaiah 52:13.
will see: Here the word see is a figure of speech that means “perceive/understand.” These people will understand the gospel of Jesus even though they had not heard it before. Some languages cannot use see in that way. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:
perceive/understand
15:21c
have not heard: The phrase “about Him” is implied from 15:21b. In some languages it is more natural or clear to repeat it here. For example:
have never heard ⌊of him⌋
will understand: The Greek word here refers to understanding something that challenges one’s thinking or way of life. Many languages would need to translate this meaning with more than one word. For example:
understand the new idea/ideas
-or-
understand this new news
General Comment on 15:21b–c
The meaning of 15:21c is very similar to 15:21b. This is a common feature of Hebrew poetry. If possible, use words of similar meaning when translating these two lines. For example:
Those who have never been told of him will see/understand, and those who have never heard will be clear about it.
-or-
Those who have never been told of him will see/understand, and those who have never heard will be grasp its meaning.
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