OET interlinear MAT 3:10

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

and

Here, the word But introduces a development of the ideas in the previous verse. It also introduces a slight contrast with God being able to make children of Abraham from stones. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces this kind of development, or you could leave But untranslated. Alternate translation: “Further,” or “As a matter of fact,”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἤδη & ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται; πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται

already & the axe to the root ˱of˲_the trees /is/_lying every therefore tree not producing fruit good /is_being/_cut_off and into /the/_fire /is_being/_cast

In this verse, John speaks as if people were trees and as if God had an ax. Every person who does not repent and do what is right is like a tree that does not produce good fruit. Just as someone chops down these trees and burns them, so God will punish these people. If possible preserve the metaphor here. You could use simile form, or if necessary, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “already it is as if the ax is set against the root of the trees. Every person who does not repent and obey is like a tree that does not produce good fruit. It is chopped down and thrown into a fire” or “already God is ready to judge people. So, anyone who does not repent and obey will be declared guilty and punished”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἡ ἀξίνη & κεῖται

the axe & /is/_lying

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was God. Alternate translation: “God has set the ax”

Note 4 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων

the root ˱of˲_the trees

In this verse, the word root is singular in form, but it refers to all the roots of the trees as a group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this plainly. Alternate translation: “the roots of the trees”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὴν ῥίζαν

the root

Here, the word root refers to the lowest part of the tree that shows above the ground. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: “the base” or “lowest part”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

πᾶν & δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται

every & tree not producing fruit good /is_being/_cut_off and into /the/_fire /is_being/_cast

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, it is clear from the context that it is God. Alternate translation: “God chops down every tree not producing good fruit and throws it into a fire”

Note 7 topic: translate-tense

ἐκκόπτεται καὶ & βάλλεται

/is_being/_cut_off and & /is_being/_cast

Here John could be using the present tense to describe: (1) something that is generally true. Alternate translation: “is being chopped down and is being thrown” (2) something that will happen in the future but is as certain as if it was happening in the present. Alternate translation: “will be chopped down and will be thrown”