uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

but

Connecting Statement:

But here indicates that in 2:17–29 Paul changes topics from talking about non-Jewish people who don’t know the law of Moses to Jews who know the law. He explains why the Jews as well cannot escape God’s judgment. Alternate translation: “You also need to know that” or “However”

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact

εἰ

if

Here, if indicates the beginning of a conditional sentence that extends from this verse to 2:21. Paul speaks as if these descriptions of Jews were hypothetical possibilities, but he means that they are actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Paul is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “since” or “because”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / youcrowd

σὺ

you

Even though Paul is speaking to Jewish people, he is hypothetically addressing an individual, so you and your and yourself is singular throughout 2:17–27 unless otherwise noted. If the singular form would not be natural in your language for someone who was speaking to a group of people, you could use the plural forms of you and your and yourself in your translation.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

σὺ Ἰουδαῖος ἐπονομάζῃ

you /a/_Jew /is/_being_named

Paul speaks of the Jews as if they named themselves. He means that they consider themselves to be Jews. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture or express the meaning plainly. Alternative translation, “you call yourself Jewish” or “you regard yourself as truly Jewish”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

ἐπαναπαύῃ νόμῳ,

/are/_resting_on ˱on˲_/the/_law

Paul is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could supply these words from the context, which is God’s judgment of sinners. Alternate translation: “rely upon the law to escape God’s judgment” or “rely upon the law to save you from God’s judgment”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

καυχᾶσαι ἐν Θεῷ

/are/_boasting in God

Paul speaks of the Jews as if they were boasting inside of God. He means that the Jews brag that they are the only nation that knows God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternative translation, “brag that you are the only ones who know God”