LUKE 16:9 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. κἀγώ
2. kagō
3. -
4. -
5. 25040
6. R···1N·S
7. and_I
8. and_I
9. -
10. -
11. 53979
1. Καί
2. kai
3. And
4. So
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. S
10. Y33
11. 53980
1. ἐγώ
2. egō
3. I
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1N·S
7. I
8. I
9. -
10. Y33
11. 53981
1. ὑμῖν
2. su
3. to you all
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2D·P
7. ˱to˲ you_all
8. ˱to˲ you_all
9. -
10. Y33; R53786
11. 53982
1. λέγω
2. legō
3. am saying
4. -
5. 30040
6. VIPA1··S
7. ˓am˒ saying
8. ˓am˒ saying
9. -
10. Y33
11. 53983
1. ὑμῖν
2. su
3. -
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2D·P
7. you_all
8. you_all
9. -
10. -
11. 53984
1. ποιήσατε
2. poieō
3. -
4. -
5. 41600
6. VMAA2··P
7. make
8. make
9. -
10. R53786
11. 53985
1. ἑαυτοῖς
2. heautou
3. for yourselves
4. yourselves
5. 14380
6. R···2DMP
7. ˱for˲ yourselves
8. ˱for˲ yourselves
9. -
10. Y33; R53786
11. 53986
1. ποιήσατε
2. poieō
3. make
4. -
5. 41600
6. VMAA2··P
7. make
8. make
9. -
10. Y33
11. 53987
1. φίλους
2. filos
3. friends
4. friends
5. 53840
6. S····AMP
7. friends
8. friends
9. -
10. Y33; F54001
11. 53988
1. ἐκ
2. ek
3. by
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. by
8. by
9. -
10. Y33
11. 53989
1. τοῦ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y33
11. 53990
1. ἀδίκου
2. adikos
3. -
4. -
5. 940
6. A····GMS
7. unrighteous
8. unrighteous
9. -
10. -
11. 53991
1. μαμωνᾶ
2. mamōnas
3. money
4. money
5. 31260
6. N····GMS
7. money
8. money
9. -
10. Y33; F53999
11. 53992
1. τῆς
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GFS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y33
11. 53993
1. ἀδικίας
2. adikia
3. of unrighteousness
4. -
5. 930
6. N····GFS
7. ˱of˲ unrighteousness
8. ˱of˲ unrighteousness
9. -
10. Y33
11. 53994
1. ἵνα
2. hina
3. in order that
4. -
5. 24430
6. C·······
7. in_order_that
8. in_order_that
9. -
10. Y33
11. 53995
1. ὅταν
2. hotan
3. whenever
4. whenever
5. 37520
6. C·······
7. whenever
8. whenever
9. -
10. Y33
11. 53996
1. ἐκλίπητε
2. ekleipō
3. -
4. -
5. 15870
6. VSAA2··P
7. ˱you_all˲ ˓may˒ fail
8. ˱you_all˲ ˓may˒ fail
9. -
10. -
11. 53997
1. ἐκλίπηται
2. ekleipō
3. -
4. -
5. 15870
6. VSAM3··S
7. ˱it˲ ˓may˒ fail
8. ˱it˲ ˓may˒ fail
9. -
10. -
11. 53998
1. ἐκλίπῃ
2. ekleipō
3. it may fail
4. -
5. 15870
6. VSAA3··S
7. ˱it˲ ˓may˒ fail
8. ˱it˲ ˓may˒ fail
9. -
10. Y33; R53992
11. 53999
1. ἐκλείπῃ
2. ekleipō
3. -
4. -
5. 15870
6. VSPA3··S
7. ˱it˲ ˓may_be˒ failing
8. ˱it˲ ˓may_be˒ failing
9. -
10. -
11. 54000
1. δέξωνται
2. deχomai
3. they may receive
4. -
5. 12090
6. VSAM3··P
7. ˱they˲ ˓may˒ receive
8. ˱they˲ ˓may˒ receive
9. -
10. Y33; R53988
11. 54001
1. ὑμᾶς
2. su
3. you all
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2A·P
7. you_all
8. you_all
9. -
10. Y33; R53786
11. 54002
1. εἰς
2. eis
3. into
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. into
8. into
9. -
10. Y33
11. 54003
1. τάς
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AFP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y33
11. 54004
1. αἰωνίους
2. aiōnios
3. eternal
4. eternal
5. 1660
6. A····AFP
7. eternal
8. eternal
9. -
10. Y33
11. 54005
1. σκηνάς
2. skēnē
3. dwellings
4. -
5. 46330
6. N····AFP
7. dwellings
8. dwellings
9. -
10. Y33
11. 54006

16:9 This sentence is very difficult to understand, so it’s likely that we’re missing some cultural cues here, and in the parable above.

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 16:1–13: Jesus told a parable about a dishonest manager who acted wisely

In the main part of this section, 16:1–8b, Jesus told a parable that appears only in Luke. In this parable a rich man had hired a man to manage his money and possessions for him. The manager was dishonest in his work, so the rich man said that he could not continue to be his manager. But before the manager left this work, he used his position and money to cause other people to like him. He did this so that they would help him when he no longer had an income.

The main point of this parable is that the manager knew how to use money to make things better for his own future. In this way he was a good example for Jesus’ disciples. The parable does not mean that Jesus approved of the manager’s dishonesty.

In 16:8c–16:9 Jesus commented on the parable and applied it to his disciples. In 16:10–13 he gave other teachings about the proper use of wealth.

Other possible headings for this section are:

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (NIV)

The dishonest man who was in charge of a rich man’s wealth

16:9a

I tell you,

¶ “Now I have some advice for you^(plur) who are my disciples:
¶ Jesus continued talking and he said, “Here is what I want you^(plur) to learn from this story/parable:

In 16:8c–d, Jesus made a general comment on the parable in 16:1–8b. In this verse Jesus told his disciples how they should apply the preceding parable to their own lives. In some languages it may be helpful to indicate this shift of topic in some way. For example:

And Jesus went on to say, “And so I tell you…” (GNT)

My disciples, I tell you (CEV)

Here’s the lesson: (NLT)

I tell you: Jesus often used the words I tell you to begin a statement that he wanted to emphasize. In this verse the Greek words occur in a different order than usual, literally, “I to-you I-say.” The pronouns I and you are in an emphatic position. This word order probably indicates a shift from a general statement about what the parable illustrated to the specific lesson that Jesus wanted his disciples to learn. The English versions do not indicate this difference in emphasis explicitly. One way to indicate it is to say:

And now, here is the lesson that I want you, my disciples, to learn.

16:9b

use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves,

You^(plur) should use your money and possessions here on this evil earth as a means/way to make poor people your friends,
Many people use money in dishonest/evil ways. But I want you^(plur) to use it to help needy people. In this way, they will become your friends.

use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves: Jesus was telling his disciples to use the money they had on earth to help other people who were in need. These people would then become their friends. In some languages it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit in order to avoid wrong meaning. For example:

use your money in this world to help poor people so that they will become your friends

Be careful that your translation does not imply that the disciples should pay bribes or give gifts to important people in order to gain jobs or other benefits in return.

worldly wealth: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as worldly wealth is literally “the mammon of unrighteousness,” or “unrighteous mammon.” The RSV and several other English versions translate it that way. Another way to translate this is:

dishonest wealth (NRSV)

The same Greek word was translated as “dishonest” in 16:8a–b. “Mammon” is an Aramaic term for wealth or possessions. Jesus may have referred to wealth as “unrighteous” for at least two reasons:

People often gain and use wealth in a sinful or dishonest way. For example:
although wealth is often used in dishonest ways, you should use it to make friends for yourselves (GW)
make friends for yourselves by means of money, which many people use in evil ways (adapted from the TRT)
use ‘money’, tainted as it is, to make yourselves friends (JBP)
Wealth is gained and used in a sinful world (in contrast to the type of riches that are stored in heaven). For example:
win friends for yourselves with the money that you have in this evil/sinful world (adapted from the TRT)

You may translate this verse part using either of these options. Be careful not to imply in your translation that Jesus was talking about money that his disciples had gained dishonestly.

In some languages, words such as “sinful” and “dishonest” are only used to describe a person’s character or deeds. They cannot describe things such as “money” or the “world.” If that is true in your language, you may need to leave this aspect of meaning implied. The BSB and many English versions have done this by translating this phrase as “worldly wealth/riches.” Another way to translate this idea is:

your wealth here in this world

16:9c–d

Jesus’ application of the parable in 16:9c–d is similar and parallel to 16:4b in the parable itself: Notice the similarities:

(16:4b) so that after my removal from management, people will welcome me into their homes

(16:9c–d) so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings

If possible, try to keep such similarities in your translation of these verses.

16:9c

so that when it is gone,

so that when you^(plur) can no longer use money,
Then, when you^(plur) die and your wealth/money will become useless/worthless,

so that: The phrase so that introduces a purpose or intended result, namely, that “they will welcome you into eternal dwellings” (16:9d). In some languages it may be more natural to start a new sentence here. For example:

Then when it is gone (CEV)

when it is gone: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as when it is gone literally means “when it fails.” The RSV and several other English versions translate it that way.Some Greek manuscripts have “when you fail.” The Greek NT does not mention this reading, but the KJV follows it. This text has basically the same meaning as “when it fails,” because it refers to the time when you die and money is no longer of any use. This is referring to the time when money becomes useless, either at the end of the world or when a person dies. Be careful that it does not imply “when you have given away all your money.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

when you die and you do not need your wealth any more

when it comes to an end (JBP)

when money no longer has usefulness/value

16:9d

they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.

you^(plur) will be welcomed/received into permanent/everlasting homes in heaven.
they/someone will welcome/receive you^(plur) in heaven where you will live/stay forever.

they will welcome you: The Greek verb that the BSB translates literally as they will welcome you uses the same verb that was used in 16:4b. There are at least two ways to interpret the word they:

“They” refers to the friends that the disciples will make (16:9b). For example:According to the rules of pronoun reference in English, “they” would refer back to the last plural noun, which is “friends.” In some languages “they” is used as an indefinite plural. In that case, the reference would be ambiguous. It would also follow the recommendation in these Notes.
they will welcome you (NLT)
“They” refers to God. It is a Jewish way to avoid using the name of God. For example:
God will welcome you (TRT)

If possible, translate ambiguously so that either option can be understood. Other ways to do this are:

Use a passive verb, as many English versions do. For example:
you will be welcomed (GNT, NIV)
Use an active verb with an indefinite subject. For example:
there will be someone/those who will welcome you

If you are not able to translate ambiguously, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most scholars. This interpretation exactly fits the parallel in 16:4b. It is likely that they refers back to “friends” in 16:9b.

eternal dwellings: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as eternal dwellings is literally “eternal tents.” Although the word “tents” usually refers to temporary dwellings, the phrase “eternal tents” refers here to the permanent homes of God’s children in heaven. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

those homes that continue forever (NCV)

in heaven where you will live/stay forever

General Comment on 16:9b–d

In some languages a literal translation may wrongly imply that, when someone’s money is gone, he dies. In order to avoid this wrong meaning, it may be possible to reorder these verse parts in the following way:

^9cYour money will not be with you forever. ^9bTherefore, help people with what belongs to you here on this earth and make friends with it. ^9dSo then when you arrive at the eternal place, there will be those who will welcome you.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-endofstory

καὶ ἐγὼ ὑμῖν λέγω

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἐγώ ὑμῖν λέγω ἑαυτοῖς ποιήσατε φίλους ἐκ τοῦ μαμωνᾶ τῆς ἀδικίας ἵνα ὅταν ἐκλίπῃ δέξωνται ὑμᾶς εἰς τάς αἰωνίους σκηνάς)

Jesus uses the phrase I say to you to mark the end of the story and to introduce a teaching about how his disciples can apply the story to their lives. It may be helpful to make this a separate sentence. Alternate translation: [And you should do something similar]

ἑαυτοῖς ποιήσατε φίλους ἐκ τοῦ μαμωνᾶ τῆς ἀδικίας, ἵνα ὅταν ἐκλίπῃ, δέξωνται ὑμᾶς εἰς τὰς αἰωνίους σκηνάς

˱for˲_yourselves make friends by the money ¬the ˱of˲_unrighteousness in_order_that whenever ˱it˲_˓may˒_fail ˱they˲_˓may˒_receive you_all into (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἐγώ ὑμῖν λέγω ἑαυτοῖς ποιήσατε φίλους ἐκ τοῦ μαμωνᾶ τῆς ἀδικίας ἵνα ὅταν ἐκλίπῃ δέξωνται ὑμᾶς εἰς τάς αἰωνίους σκηνάς)

The identity of these friends is unclear. Interpreters understand them in a variety of ways. It is also unclear whether it is these friends who would welcome someone into the eternal dwellings or whether the expression is indefinite, equivalent to “you will be welcomed into the eternal dwellings.” Because the meaning is unclear and it is interpreted in such a variety of ways, it might be best if your translation did not say any more about this than ULT does.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τοῦ μαμωνᾶ τῆς ἀδικίας

the money ¬the ˱of˲_unrighteousness

Here, the term unrighteous is an echo of the previous verse, in which Jesus described the manager by the same term. It likely refers to the various shrewd means by which the people of this world make money. Jesus is applying it by association to money itself. Alternate translation: [the money you have in this world]

ὅταν ἐκλίπῃ

whenever ˱it˲_˓may˒_fail

Alternate translation: [when it is gone] or [when it no longer has any value]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

16:9 This sentence is very difficult to understand, so it’s likely that we’re missing some cultural cues here, and in the parable above.

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear LUKE 16:9

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)