OET interlinear MAL 4:3

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

וְ⁠עַסּוֹתֶ֣ם רְשָׁעִ֔ים כִּֽי יִהְי֣וּ אֵ֔פֶר תַּ֖חַת כַּפּ֣וֹת רַגְלֵי⁠כֶ֑ם

(və⁠ˊaşşōtem rəshāˊim kiy yihyū ʼēfer taḩat kapōt raglēy⁠kem)

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “The wicked will be like ashes under the soles of your feet, so you will trample them”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠עַסּוֹתֶ֣ם רְשָׁעִ֔ים

(və⁠ˊaşşōtem rəshāˊim)

Yahweh is speaking of the people’s victory over the wicked as if they would trample them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And you will be triumphant over the wicked”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

רְשָׁעִ֔ים

(rəshāˊim)

Yahweh is using the adjective wicked as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “wicked people”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

כִּֽי יִהְי֣וּ אֵ֔פֶר תַּ֖חַת כַּפּ֣וֹת רַגְלֵי⁠כֶ֑ם

(kiy yihyū ʼēfer taḩat kapōt raglēy⁠kem)

Yahweh is speaking of the complete defeat of the wicked as if they literally become ashes under the people’s feet. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for you will defeat them completely”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

בַּ⁠יּוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲנִ֣י עֹשֶׂ֔ה

(ba⁠yyōm ʼₐsher ʼₐniy ˊoseh)

See how you translated this expression in 3:17. Alternate translation: “at the time when I act, as I am now preparing to do”