15:4a

For: Here this word introduces an explanation of why he uses Scripture to support his teaching about pleasing others.

everything that was written in the past was written: There are two passive clauses here. In some languages active clauses must be used. For example:

whatever ⌊God⌋ had someone write in former days, he did that

everything that was written in the past: This phrase implies all of the Scriptures, what is now called the Old Testament. In some languages, a literal translation would imply all things written down, not just the Scriptures. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the correct implied meaning in your translation. For example:

whatever was written ⌊in the Holy Book⌋ in former days

• Translate literally and explain the correct implied meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This refers to all of the Scriptures, what is now called the Old Testament.

for our instruction: Here the word for introduces the purpose of the things “written in former days.” For example:

to teach us (Good News Translation)

our instruction: This refers to the purpose for the words written in Scripture, which is to teach us.

15:4b

so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope: The words through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures are put in front of the words we might have hope to emphasize them. In some languages those words must be in their normal place. For example:

that we might have hope through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures

If possible, emphasize these words in a natural way in your language.

so that: Here this word introduces the purpose of “our instruction” (15:4a).

through endurance: Here the word through indicates that one of the ways to make ourselves hopeful is to endure. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

by endurance (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
if we endure

endurance: This word refers to continuing to do or think something despite problems or troubles in their lives. Here it probably refers to remaining strong in faith even though we are persecuted or have other troubles. Here are other ways to translate this word:

perseverance (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
enduring ⌊troubles⌋
-or-
continue on ⌊despite troubles⌋

See how you translated this word in 5:3, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “perseverance.”

encouragement: This word refers to helping someone have hope, courage, or confidence. Some languages use an idiom for this meaning. For example:

strengthen our insides

of the Scriptures: This phrase probably connects only to “encouragement.”

The word of indicates here that the Scriptures are the source of encouragement. For example:

from the Scriptures
-or-
which the Scriptures give us (God’s Word)

Scriptures: Here this would refer to the books of the Bible now called the Old Testament. But today we also get encouragement from the New Testament. You should use your key term that refers generally to the Bible. For example:

God’s Word
-or-
the Holy Book

hope: This word has the same meaning as it does in 5:4, with the object of the hope here generally God or his promises. See how you translated this word there.

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