3:4a

Certainly not!: The Greek is literally “May it not be.” This clause indicates a very strong “no.” Consider how to translate that meaning. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Not at all! (New International Version)
-or-
Of course not! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
No, indeed! (Contemporary English Version)

Note that “certainly” in the As a statement example in 3:3b–4a translate the words Certainly not! here. If you used “certainly” there, do not translate these words here.

3:4b

Let God be true: This clause is a command that others acknowledge that God is truthful. It does not express doubt that God is truthful. God always says things that are true. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

God must be true (Good News Translation)
-or-
Let us think of God as true (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
it is absolutely not possible that God would tell-a-lie
-or-
God never lies

Some languages do not have words like “let” or “may.” Instead they use the future or other tense. For example:

God will always be true (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
God is honest (God’s Word)

and every man a liar: The Greek is literally “and/but (let) man (be) a liar.” The verb “let…be” is implied from 3:4b. Even if every person lies, God is truthful. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

even though all human beings are liars (Good News Translation)
-or-
even if every living man be proved a liar (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
even if all people tell-lies

General Comment on 3:4b

In some languages it is more natural to have the clause about people first. For example:

Let every man be a liar and let God be true
-or-
Although all men lie, God never lies.

3:4c

As it is written: Paul quoted what King David said to God in Psalm 51:4. In some languages a literal translation would not clearly indicate that 3:4d–e are Scripture. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in the text. For example:

As it is written ⌊in God’s Word⌋

In some languages a literal translation would not clearly indicate that someone spoke 3:4d–e to God. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in the text. Use your usual translation for “Scripture.” For example:

As it is written ⌊saying⌋ ⌊to God⌋ ⌊in his Word⌋
-or-
As it is written ⌊in God’s Word,⌋ ⌊saying⌋ ⌊to him/God⌋

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

As ⌊King David⌋ wrote

See how you translated the words As it is written in 1:17, except if you mention the author as in the example above, use the correct author here.

The lines in Psalm 51:4 before this quote are “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” David was thinking of his own wrongdoing, and how God is always right when he speaks. In some languages a footnote to explain the context would be helpful to the reader. Here is an example footnote:

The lines in Psalm 51:4 before this quote are “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” David was thinking of his own wrongdoing, and how God is always right when he speaks.

3:4d

So that: These words probably introduces purpose. Consider how to translate that meaning.

You may be proved right when You speak: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊history⌋ will prove you right in your words
-or-

⌊all that happens⌋ prove that your words are true

proved right: Here this word means “shown to be right.” In the case of King David, God sent a prophet to tell him he had sinned with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed. Both events were true and God revealed those secrets of David. Here the word refers more generally to God’s words. Events will show them to be true. See the examples above.

3:4e

victorious when You judge: There are three ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judge :

(1) It means you are judged here. This interpretation sees the Greek word as passive voice. For example:

you must win your case when you are being tried (Good News Translation)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means you contend in court with someone here. This interpretation sees the Greek word as middle voice. For example:

you will win your case in court (New Living Translation (2004))

(New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(3) It means you judge here. This follows the meaning in the Hebrew of Psalm 51:4. For example:

prevail when you judge (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the plain reading of the Greek word.

victorious: This word refers to winning a fight or contest. When God judges, no one will be able to change his mind or avoid what God says is his punishment. For example:

win (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 3:4d–e

These words are a quote found in Psalm 51:4. If you indicate the location of quotes from the Old Testament with cross-references, you may want to do so here.

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