In Greek the first sentence in this verse begins with a particle (ide) that is actually a second person singular imperative. However, in such a context this particle serves merely to focus the reader’s attention on what is being said. Therefore it is legitimate to translate this particle as a first person plural, Here we see. In other languages the appropriate equivalent may be “but you must pay attention to this,” “notice carefully,” or “take account of.”

In Greek the object of this verb is a noun phrase, “the kindness and the severity of God,” which the Good News Translation transforms into a verb phrase, how kind and how severe God is.

In the following sentence the Good News Translation similarly transforms nouns into verb phrases, “severity” to he is severe and “kindness” to he is … kind. To be kind may be expressed as “do good to” or “be good to.” To be severe in this context may be rendered as “to judge harshly,” “to judge with strong words,” or “to judge with punishment.”

In this type of context who have fallen may be translated as “those who have sinned” or “those who have done wrong.” In many languages it is quite difficult to retain the idea of “fallen” as a reference to sinning.

The conditional clause if you continue in his kindness may need to be introduced by some kind of explanatory phrase—for example, “that is to say” or “provided that.” The rendering of continue in his kindness involves a number of semantic problems. The persons involved must continue to believe if they are to merit their place (see v. 20). But his kindness refers to God’s activity, not to their own. The relation between the two expressions may be indicated in some languages as “if you continue to merit his kindness” or “if you continue to act in such a way that he will be kind to you.”

The passive expression you too will be broken off may be made active, with God as the agent. “God will break you off as well.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .