Translation commentary on Susanna 1:44

If integrated into the book of Daniel: 13.44.

The Lord heard her cry: Her cry means “her [or, Susanna’s] prayer.” Good News Translation describes the content of the cry with “The Lord heard her prayer.” This sentence is very short, and Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version combine it with the following sentence in a smooth fashion. Something can be said for the short sentence, however. It is the pivot around which the story turns. Things have gone from bad to worse up to this point, but when God hears Susanna’s prayer, things begin to change for the better. The brevity of the statement may call attention to itself and focus its power. It is purely a stylistic matter, and translators must decide for themselves the most effective way to present it.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Shorter Books of the Deuterocanon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2006. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.

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