Paragraph 16:9

16:9a

In 16:8c–d, Jesus made a general comment on the parable in 16:1–8b. In this verse Jesus told his disciples how they should apply the preceding parable to their own lives. In some languages it may be helpful to indicate this shift of topic in some way. For example:

And Jesus went on to say, “And so I tell you…” (Good News Translation)
-or-
My disciples, I tell you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Here’s the lesson: (New Living Translation (2004))

I tell you: Jesus often used the words I tell you to begin a statement that he wanted to emphasize. In this verse the Greek words occur in a different order than usual, literally, “I to-you I-say.” The pronouns I and you are in an emphatic position. This word order probably indicates a shift from a general statement about what the parable illustrated to the specific lesson that Jesus wanted his disciples to learn. The English versions do not indicate this difference in emphasis explicitly. One way to indicate it is to say:

And now, here is the lesson that I want you, my disciples, to learn.

16:9b

use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves: Jesus was telling his disciples to use the money they had on earth to help other people who were in need. These people would then become their friends. In some languages it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit in order to avoid wrong meaning. For example:

use your money in this world ⌊to help poor people⌋ so that they will become your friends

Be careful that your translation does not imply that the disciples should pay bribes or give gifts to important people in order to gain jobs or other benefits in return.

worldly wealth: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worldly wealth is literally “the mammon of unrighteousness,” or “unrighteous mammon.” The Revised Standard Version and several other English versions translate it that way. Another way to translate this is:

dishonest wealth (New Revised Standard Version)

The same Greek word was translated as “dishonest” in 16:8a–b. “Mammon” is an Aramaic term for wealth or possessions. Jesus may have referred to wealth as “unrighteous” for at least two reasons:

(a) People often gain and use wealth in a sinful or dishonest way. For example:

although wealth is often used in dishonest ways, you should use it to make friends for yourselves (God’s Word)
-or-
make friends for yourselves by means of money, which many people use in evil ways (adapted from the TRT)
-or-
use ‘money’, tainted as it is, to make yourselves friends (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(b) Wealth is gained and used in a sinful world (in contrast to the type of riches that are stored in heaven). For example:

win friends for yourselves with the money that you have in this evil/sinful world (adapted from the TRT)

You may translate this verse part using either of these options. Be careful not to imply in your translation that Jesus was talking about money that his disciples had gained dishonestly.

In some languages, words such as “sinful” and “dishonest” are only used to describe a person’s character or deeds. They cannot describe things such as “money” or the “world.” If that is true in your language, you may need to leave this aspect of meaning implied. The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions have done this by translating this phrase as “worldly wealth/riches.” Another way to translate this idea is:

your wealth here in this world

16:9c–d

Jesus’ application of the parable in 16:9c–d is similar and parallel to 16:4b in the parable itself: Notice the similarities:

(16:4b) so that after my removal from management, people will welcome me into their homes

(16:9c–d) so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings

If possible, try to keep such similarities in your translation of these verses.

16:9c

so that: The phrase so that introduces a purpose or intended result, namely, that “they will welcome you into eternal dwellings” (16:9d). In some languages it may be more natural to start a new sentence here. For example:

Then when it is gone (Contemporary English Version)

when it is gone: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when it is gone literally means “when it fails.” The Revised Standard Version and several other English versions translate it that way. This is referring to the time when money becomes useless, either at the end of the world or when a person dies. Be careful that it does not imply “when you have given away all your money.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

when you die and you do not need your wealth any more
-or-
when it comes to an end (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
when money no longer has usefulness/value

16:9d

they will welcome you: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as they will welcome you uses the same verb that was used in 16:4b. There are at least two ways to interpret the word they:

(1) “They” refers to the friends that the disciples will make (16:9b). For example:

they will welcome you (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) “They” refers to God. It is a Jewish way to avoid using the name of God. For example:

God will welcome you (Translator’s Reference Translation)

If possible, translate ambiguously so that either option can be understood. Other ways to do this are:

• Use a passive verb, as many English versions do. For example:

you will be welcomed (Good News Translation, New International Version)

• Use an active verb with an indefinite subject. For example:

there will be someone/those who will welcome you

If you are not able to translate ambiguously, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most scholars. This interpretation exactly fits the parallel in 16:4b. It is likely that they refers back to “friends” in 16:9b.

eternal dwellings: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as eternal dwellings is literally “eternal tents.” Although the word “tents” usually refers to temporary dwellings, the phrase “eternal tents” refers here to the permanent homes of God’s children in heaven. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

those homes that continue forever (New Century Version)
-or-
in heaven where you will live/stay forever

General Comment on 16:9b–d

In some languages a literal translation may wrongly imply that, when someone’s money is gone, he dies. In order to avoid this wrong meaning, it may be possible to reorder these verse parts in the following way:

9cYour money will not be with you forever. 9bTherefore, help people with what belongs to you here on this earth and make friends with it. 9dSo then when you arrive at the eternal place, there will be those who will welcome you.

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