OET interlinear 1 COR 12:2

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

πρὸς τὰ εἴδωλα τὰ ἄφωνα ὡς ἂν ἤγεσθε, ἀπαγόμενοι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οἴδατε ὅτι ὅτε ἔθνη ἦτε πρός τά εἴδωλα τά ἄφωνα ὡς ἄν ἤγεσθε ἀπαγόμενοι)

Here, led astray and led refer to how one person can “lead” another person to a specific place. Paul uses this figure of speech here because he wants the Corinthians to think about how they used to worship idols as if somebody were “leading” them astray or away from the correct path. This figure of speech emphasizes that the Corinthians were going the wrong way and that someone or something was directing them to go that way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this figure of speech with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [you wrongly followed mute idols, in whatever ways you followed them] or [you were urged to worship mute idols, in whatever ways you were urged to do so]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

πρὸς τὰ εἴδωλα τὰ ἄφωνα ὡς ἂν ἤγεσθε, ἀπαγόμενοι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οἴδατε ὅτι ὅτε ἔθνη ἦτε πρός τά εἴδωλα τά ἄφωνα ὡς ἄν ἤγεσθε ἀπαγόμενοι)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Paul uses the passive form here to avoid identifying who did the “leading astray,” because he wishes to keep it general. If you must state who did the action, Paul implies that “other pagans” or “something” did it. Alternate translation: [others led you astray to mute idols, in whatever ways they led you]

Note 3 topic: translate-unknown

τὰ εἴδωλα τὰ ἄφωνα

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οἴδατε ὅτι ὅτε ἔθνη ἦτε πρός τά εἴδωλα τά ἄφωνα ὡς ἄν ἤγεσθε ἀπαγόμενοι)

Here, mute means that the idols cannot speak to those who worship them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express mute with a word or phrase to describe the idols as unable to speak. Alternate translation: [idols who cannot communicate]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

ὡς ἂν ἤγεσθε

as (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οἴδατε ὅτι ὅτε ἔθνη ἦτε πρός τά εἴδωλα τά ἄφωνα ὡς ἄν ἤγεσθε ἀπαγόμενοι)

Here Paul intentionally uses vague language that does not define the ways you were led. In your translation, use a word or phrase that similarly does not tightly define what the ways are. Alternate translation: [however you were led]