OET interlinear MAT 3:2

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-quotations

λέγων

saying

Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: “and he said”

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

μετανοεῖτε, ἤγγικεν γὰρ ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

/be/_repenting /has/_neared for the Kingdom ˱of˲_the Heavens

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these clauses, since the second clause gives the reason for the command in the first clause. Alternate translation: “The kingdom of the heavens is near, so repent”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἡ Βασιλεία τῶν Οὐρανῶν

the Kingdom ˱of˲_the Heavens

Here John the Baptist is referring to God’s kingdom that currently exists in the heavens. A kingdom is a situation in which a king rules over his people in a specific area. See the book introduction for more information about the kingdom of the heavens. Consider how you might express this idea here and throughout the rest of Matthew. Alternate translation: “God’s complete reign” or “the ability to be fully God’s people”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἤγγικεν

/has/_neared

Here Matthew uses this phrase in the sense of near in time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: “is about to begin” or “is about to happen”