4:25a

For whoever has: This clause leaves implied what this person has. Because of the close connection of this verse with 4:24, the implied meaning is probably “Whoever has understanding.”

In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit what this person has. Some ways to do this are:

• Use a word that specifically indicates the connection with 4:24. For example:

Those who have understanding (New Century Version)
-or-
Those who understand [these mysteries] (God’s Word)

• Use a general word. For example:

Everyone who has something (Contemporary English Version)

For: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as For indicates that the proverb in 4:25 is a further explanation of the preceding proverb in 4:24. In some languages the meaning of this conjunction can be expressed as:

Another way to say this is

Some versions leave the word For implied. You will need to decide whether it is natural in your language to introduce an explanation with a special word or phrase.

will be given more: The subject for the verb phrase will be given is implied but not repeated. It may be more natural in your language to repeat the subject. For example:

he will be given more

The verb given is passive. If it is more natural in your language to make this active and say who does the giving, the implied subject is God.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

he will receive more
-or-
God will add to his understanding

4:25b–c

But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him: This is a hyperbole. It means that the person has very little. It implies that the person ignores the small amount of understanding or knowledge that he has.

It may be more natural in your language to translate the meaning without the hyperbole. For example:

whoever ignores the little he has, even what he has will be taken from him
-or-
whoever understands very little, even that will be taken from him

But: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But is often translated as “and” (as in the Revised Standard Version). There is contrast between the one who had in 4:25a, and the one who does not have in 4:25b. For this reason, some versions like the Berean Standard Bible indicate this contrast with the conjunction But. Likewise, the NET Bible says:

but whoever does not have

However, some translations do not translate this conjunction at all. You should connect 4:25a and 4:25b in a way that is natural in your language.

will be taken away from him: The Greek verb phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be taken away is passive. If it is more natural in your language to make this active and say who will take something, you should refer to the same person as in 4:24c. For example:

God will take even that from him
-or-
will lose what little they have (Contemporary English Version)

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