OET interlinear MAT 10:16

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / exclamations

ἰδοὺ

behold

Here, the word behold draws the attention of the audience and asks them to listen carefully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express behold with a word or phrase that asks the audience to listen, or you could draw the audience’s attention in another way. Alternate translation: “Picture this:” or “Consider this:”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

ὡς πρόβατα ἐν μέσῳ λύκων

as sheep in /the/_midst ˱of˲_wolves

Here Jesus compares his disciples to sheep, which are defenseless and not dangerous. He compares people who want to harm them to wolves, which are dangerous and like to kill and eat sheep. If it would be helpful in your language, you could explain the simile or use more general expressions for the animals. Alternate translation: “as sheep in the midst of wolves, since some people will want to harm you” or “as harmless animals that will encounter a group of predators”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις

shrewd as ¬the serpents

Here Jesus wants his disciples to be like serpents, which were considered wise in Jesus’ culture. If serpents are not considered wise in your culture, you may need to express the idea without the simile form. In this context, the phrase wise as the serpents could mean that the disciples should be: (1) clever or shrewd. Alternate translation: “shrewd” (2) watchful. Alternate translation: “watchful” or “careful”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ περιστεραί

innocent as the doves

Here Jesus wants his disciples to be like doves, which were considered harmless in Jesus’ culture. If doves are not considered harmless in your culture, you may need to express the idea without the simile form. In this context, the phrase harmless as the doves could mean that the disciples should be: (1) innocent. Alternate translation: “guileless” or “without guilt” (2) gentle. Alternate translation: “gentle” or “kind”