The interpretation of this verse should cause no difficulty. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch very effectively omits the verb from the second clause (“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but not my words”), but many languages will require the repetition of the verb in the second clause.

Heaven and earth is sometimes rendered as “the earth and the sky” or as “all the universe.” Will pass away may be translated literally in some languages, but in others will be “will no longer exist” or “will disappear.”

As for my words, often translated as “my word,” sometimes a positive expression is necessary, such as “my words will always exist,” but most translators prefer to retain the negative form and say “my words will never cease to exist.” My words may also be translated “what I say,” “what I teach,” or “my teachings.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .