OET interlinear 2COR 3:18

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

but

Here, the word Now introduces a development of the ideas from the previous section. In this case, Paul is concluding his discussion about Moses and the veil in 3:12–17. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a final development, or you could leave Now untranslated. Alternate translation: [In the end,] or [Finally,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀνακεκαλυμμένῳ προσώπῳ, τὴν δόξαν Κυρίου κατοπτριζόμενοι

/having_been/_unveiled ˱in˲_face the glory ˱of˲_/the/_Lord reflecting

Here the author speaks as if believers do not have a veil over their faces and can thus reflect God’s glory. Since the veiling language is an important part of what Paul is saying, you should preserve the figure of speech or express the idea by using a simile. Paul is indicating a contrast that could be: (1) with Moses, who had to veil the glory on his face. Unlike him, believers do not need to veil their faces. Alternate translation: [revealing the glory of the Lord like those who have unveiled faces] (2) the Israelites, who could not look directly at the glory of God. Unlike them, believers can see God’s glory directly without a veil. Alternate translation: [seeing the glory of the Lord, unlike those who could only see a veil]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

κατοπτριζόμενοι

reflecting

Here, the word translated reflecting could refer to: (1) acting as a mirror that “reflects” an image. Alternate translation: [mirroring] (2) seeing something that is “reflected” in a mirror. Alternate translation: [seeing in a mirror]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὴν δόξαν Κυρίου

the glory ˱of˲_/the/_Lord

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “great” or “glorious.” Alternate translation: [how great the Lord is]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

Κυρίου

˱of˲_/the/_Lord

Here, just as in 3:16–17, the word Lord could refer to God generally or to Jesus specifically. Express the idea the same way you did in those verses. Alternate translation: [of God the Lord] or [of the Lord Jesus]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

μεταμορφούμεθα

˱we˲_/are_being/_transformed

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who does the action, Paul implies that God does it. Alternate translation: [are those whom God is transforming into]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὴν αὐτὴν εἰκόνα

the ˱in˲_the same image

Here, the phrase the same image refers to the image that belongs to the Lord. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [into his image] or [into that image]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὴν αὐτὴν εἰκόνα & ἀπὸ δόξης εἰς δόξαν

the ˱in˲_the same image & from glory to glory

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of image and glory, you could express the idea by using a verb such as “reflect” and an adjective such as “glorious” or “great.” Alternate translation: [people who reflect the Lord from what is glorious to what is glorious]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἀπὸ δόξης εἰς δόξαν

from glory to glory

Here Paul uses the words from and to with the same word, much as he did in 2:16. He could be using this form because: (1) from indicates the source of the transformation, and to indicates the effects of the transformation. Alternate translation: [by someone who has glory so that we also have glory] (2) from and to together emphasize that the transformation is characterized completely by glory. Alternate translation: [with great glory]

καθάπερ ἀπὸ

just_as from

Here, the phrase just as from indicates the source of the transformation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [and this is from] or [even as it is accomplished by]

Κυρίου, Πνεύματος

˱of˲_/the/_Lord ˱of˲_/the/_Lord /the/_Spirit

Here, Paul could be using this phrase to: (1) identify the Lord as the Spirit, as he did in 3:17. Just as in that verse, he could mean that the Lord is the Spirit, or he could mean that the Lord is experienced as the Spirit. Alternate translation: the Lord, that is, the Spirit] or [the Lord, whom we experience as the Spirit] (2) name the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of the Lord,” as he did in [3:17. Alternate translation: [the Spirit of the Lord] (3) refer to the Lord to whom the Spirit belongs or who sends the Spirit. Alternate translation: [the Lord of the Spirit]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

Πνεύματος

/the/_Spirit

Here, the word Spirit could refer to: (1) the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: [God’s Spirit] (2) what is “spiritual” as opposed to what is written or fleshly. Alternate translation: [who is spiritual] or [who is a spirit]