5:42a

but: The conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces an implied contrast. The contrast is between Jesus not wanting human praise and the Jewish leaders wanting praise (see 5:44b). It is also an implied contrast between Jesus’ love for his Father (see 14:31) and the Jews’ lack of love. Introduce this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

I know you: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as I know you indicates that Jesus was saying that he understood the religious leaders. He knew that, unlike him, they did want people’s praise. Jesus knew the kind of people they were and wanted them to change. He was warning them. See the General Comment following 5:42b. For example:

But I know what kind of people you are. (God’s Word)
-or-
But I know that with you it is different (Revised English Bible)

5:42b

you do not have the love of God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the love of God here means “love for God.” Jesus was saying that the religious leaders did not love God. In some languages it is more natural to translate the noun love with a verb. For example:

none of you love God (Contemporary English Version)

within you: The pronoun you is plural here. In some languages, love is thought to be found in a certain body part, such as the heart or mind. In those languages, it may be more natural to refer to that part of the body. For example:

in your hearts (New International Version)
-or-
in your thoughts

General Comment on 5:42a–b

In the Berean Standard Bible verse 42 is translated as part of one sentence that began in the previous verse. Here are other ways to use part of one sentence:

because I know that you do not have God’s love in your thoughts/heart
-or-
but I do know that none of you love God. (Contemporary English Version)

In other languages it may be natural to use two sentences when you translate this verse. For example:

But I know what kind of people you are. You don’t have any love for God. (God’s Word)
-or-
but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. (New International Version)

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