16:31a

Then Abraham said to him: In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then in order to introduce what happened next. Several other versions (Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004)) translate it as “But” in order to introduce a contrast between what the rich man asked and what Abraham replied. Several other versions (English Standard Version, NET Bible, New International Version) do not translate this conjunction explicitly. This word introduces Abraham’s reply. This reply disagrees with what the rich man had just said. Indicate that in a natural way in your language.

Abraham said: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Abraham said is literally “he said.” In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit who was speaking. For example:

But Abraham said to him (New Century Version)

If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets: The clause If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets expresses a condition that Abraham and the rich man both knew to be true. The brothers were paying no attention to the warnings of Moses and the prophets. In some languages it may be necessary to make this clear. For example:

Since they are not listening to Moses and the Prophets…

16:31b

they will not be persuaded: The clause they will not be persuaded is passive. It also contains implied information. The implied information is:

they will not be convinced/persuaded ⌊that they need to repent⌋

In some languages it may be more natural to use an active verb. For example:

they will not believe/realize ⌊that they must repent⌋

In some languages you may need to reorder the clauses in this verb and indicate who would not convince them. See the General Comment on 16:31b–c below for suggestions.

16:31c

even if someone rises from the dead: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as even if introduces an event that would be even more amazing than a messenger from the dead visiting the brothers. Abraham was saying that even if a dead person came back to life again, the brothers would still not believe his message and repent.

General Comment on 16:31b–c

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the parts of 16:31b–c. For example:

31ceven someone rising from the dead 31bwill not convince them ⌊to repent⌋
-or-

31ca person who dies and then lives again 31bwill not be enough to persuade them

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