13:43a

Then the righteous: The phrase the righteous refers to the people who do what is right and good in God’s sight. It refers to believers. This same Greek word is translated as “righteous men” in 13:17b.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

everyone who has done right (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the good people (New Century Version)
-or-
the people who obey God’s laws

will shine like the sun: This phrase is a simile. In this simile, righteous people are compared to the sun. They are similar in that both will shine. This indicates that righteous people will share in Christ’s glory and honor.

This description of righteous people is similar to 17:2b. There Jesus was transfigured before his disciples and his face “shone like the sun.”

Here are some other ways to translate this simile:

• Keep the simile. For example:

⌊God will cause⌋ righteous people ⌊to⌋ shine/glow like the sun
-or-
righteous people will be bright like the sun
-or-
good people will be like the sun shining brightly

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

righteous people will receive glory/honor
-or-
God will honor righteous people

in the kingdom of their Father: This phrase refers to the same kingdom as in 13:41b and 13:38b. The kingdom of God the Father is the same kingdom as the kingdom of his son Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the kingdom of ⌊God⌋ their Father
-or-
the rule/chieftaincy of their Father ⌊who is God⌋

The kingdom of their Father is the place where the righteous will go. It contrasts with the fiery furnace where the law-breakers will go. In some languages, it may be natural to make this explicit. For example:

But the righteous people ⌊will go to⌋ the kingdom of their Father. ⌊There they⌋ will shine like the sun.

their Father: This phrase refers to God the Father. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

⌊God⌋ their Father

13:43b

The saying in this verse also occurs in Matthew 11:15, 13:9, Mark 4:9, Mark 4:23, Luke 8:8, and Luke 14:35. You should translate all these passages in the same way.

He who has ears, let him hear: These words are a saying that Jesus used to command or urge the crowd to carefully think about the words that they had just heard.

Here are some other ways to translate this saying:

You people who can hear me, listen. (New Century Version)
-or-
Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

You who are listening, think about what you have just heard.

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