20:29a–b

savage: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as savage means “fierce,” “violent,” or “harmful.” These wolves cause difficulties for the believers. Other ways to translate this word are:

vicious (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
wild (New Century Version)
-or-
destructive

wolves: This word refers to wild animals similar to large dogs but more fierce. They weigh 30–45 kilograms (65–100 pounds), depending on the kind of wolf. They attack and eat other animals.

Some languages do not have a word for wolves. If that is true in your language, refer to a similar animal or more generally to animals that attack and eat other animals. For example:

wild dogs
-or-
fierce/attacking animals

Here the word is a metaphor for false teachers. Paul said here that false teachers would come to Ephesus and cause great difficulties for the believers there. In some languages a literal translation would not have this meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally and explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Here the word “wolves” refers to false teachers. Paul said here that false teachers would come to Ephesus and cause great difficulties for the believers there.

• Translate literally and explain it in your translation. For example:

wolves, ⌊that is, false teachers⌋

• Translate the metaphor as a simile. For example:

⌊false teachers who are like⌋ harmful wolves
-or-

⌊some people will come like⌋ fierce wolves
-or-

⌊some people will come like⌋ wolves who destroy/attack ⌊sheep⌋

will not spare the flock: The word spare means “prevent something bad from happening.” So here, the phrase not spare refers to harming the flock. For example:

will harm/hurt the flock
-or-
others will come like fierce wolves to attack you (Contemporary English Version)

flock: This word is a metaphor, as in 20:28. See how you translated it there.

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