OET interlinear 1COR 1:19

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γάρ

for

Here, For introduces Paul’s evidence that what he said in 1:18 is true. You could use a word that introduces evidence for a claim or leave the word untranslated. Alternate translation: [As]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

γέγραπται

˱it˲_/has_been/_written

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 focus on what is written rather than the person doing the “writing.” If you must state who does the action, you can express it so that: (1) the scripture or scripture author writes or speaks the words. Alternate translation: [Isaiah has written] (2) God speaks the words. Alternate translation: [God has said]

Note 3 topic: writing-quotations

γέγραπται γάρ

˱it˲_/has_been/_written for

In Paul’s culture, For it is written was a normal way to introduce a quotation from an important text. In this case, the quotation comes from Isaiah 29:14. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express how Paul introduces the quotation with a comparable phrase that indicates that Paul is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: [For it can be read in Isaiah] or [For it says in the book of Isaiah]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / quotations

ἀπολῶ τὴν σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν, καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν τῶν συνετῶν ἀθετήσω

˱I˲_/will_be/_destroying the wisdom ˱of˲_the wise and the intelligence ˱of˲_the intelligent ˱I˲_/will_be/_rejecting

If you cannot use this form in your language, you could translate this direct quote as an indirect quote, specifying that God is the subject and including an introductory word such as “that.” Alternate translation: [that God will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and he will frustrate the understanding of the intelligent]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τὴν σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν & τὴν σύνεσιν τῶν συνετῶν

the wisdom ˱of˲_the wise & the intelligence ˱of˲_the intelligent

In both of these clauses, Paul uses the possessive form to describe wisdom or understanding that belongs to the wise or the intelligent. If it would be helpful in your language, you could indicate that wisdom and understanding belong to the wise or the intelligent. Alternate translation: [the wisdom that the wise have … the understanding that the intelligent have]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

τῶν σοφῶν & τῶν συνετῶν

˱of˲_the wise & ˱of˲_the intelligent

Paul is using the adjectives wise and intelligent as nouns in order to describe groups of people. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate these with noun phrases. Alternate translation: [of the people who are wise … of the people who are intelligent]

Note 7 topic: translate-unknown

τῶν συνετῶν

˱of˲_the ˱of˲_the intelligent

Here, intelligent describes someone who is good at figuring out problems, understanding new ideas, and making smart decisions. Use a word in your language that gets this general idea across. Alternate translation: [of the smart] or [of the clever]