12:25

In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that many English versions translate as “and.” This conjunction introduces a third reason why the disciples should not worry. The reason is that worry does not accomplish anything. Some ways to introduce this third reason are:

Besides that (Translator’s Reference Translation)
-or-
As for worrying
-or-
You also should not worry because…

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that no one can add a single hour to the length of his life by worrying about it.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Can worry make you live longer? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! (New Living Translation (1996))

• As a statement. For example:

You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. (New Century Version)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

a single hour: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a single hour literally means “a cubit.” Many English versions translate it that way. The cubit was a measure of length, about eighteen inches. Here it probably refers to a short time. Use an expression in your language that is commonly used for a short period of time. For example:

a day (Revised English Bible)
-or-
a single moment (New Living Translation (2004))

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