12:31a

But: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces what Jesus’ disciples should seek in place of the food and drink mentioned in 12:29a. In some languages the meaning may be implied from the context, and a conjunction may not be needed. Some ways to translate the connection are:

Rather (God’s Word)
-or-
Instead (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation)

In some languages, readers may wrongly assume that 12:31a connects to 12:30b. If that is true in your language, you may need to make the connection to 12:29a more explicit. For example:

What you must do instead is to seek God’s kingdom

seek His kingdom: The clause seek His kingdom means to concentrate on living under God’s rule and on helping others to do so. It implies that the disciples should devote themselves to serving God and should follow what he desires.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

focus on submitting to God’s rule/chieftaincy
-or-
make every effort to obey/serve God as your king/ruler
-or-
truly desire for God to rule in the lives of all people

seek: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as seek is the same verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “be concerned about” in 12:29a. In 12:29a, it introduces what they should not seek, but here in 12:31 it introduces what they should seek. In some languages, this difference may affect the way you translate this verb.

His kingdom: The phrase His kingdom refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. It refers to the relationship that he has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king.

This phrase first occurs in Luke in 4:43a. See also the note at 9:2.

12:31b

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and introduces the result of seeking God’s kingdom in 12:31a. If people seek his kingdom, then God will also give them the material things they need.

these things will be added unto you: The clause these things will be added unto you means “God will also give to you these physical things (like food and clothes).”

This is a passive clause. Other ways to translate this clause using an active verb are:

these things will be yours as well (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he will give you everything you need (New Living Translation (2004))

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