OET interlinear 1TH 5:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

ὑμεῖς δέ, ἀδελφοί & ἐστὲ

you_all but brothers & are

Here, the phrase But you introduces what is true about the Thessalonians in contrast to what Paul has said about unbelievers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that contrasts the Thessalonians with unbelievers. Alternate translation: “However, as for you, brothers, you are” or “In contrast, brothers, you are”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οὐκ ἐστὲ ἐν σκότει

not are in darkness

Here Paul speaks as if the Thessalonians are not in a place that has no light. He could mean that: (1) they are not ignorant about the day of the Lord. Alternate translation: “are not ignorant” or “know about these things” (2) they are not avoiding and disobeying God. Alternate translation: “are not disobeying God” or “are not far away from God”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐν σκότει

in darkness

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of darkness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “in dark places” or “without the light”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

καταλάβῃ

/may/_grasp

Here, Paul speaks of the day as if it were a person who could overtake the Thessalonians. He means that the event named the day will not surprise or shock the Thessalonians. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “might surprise” or “might startle”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

ἡ ἡμέρα ὑμᾶς ὡς κλέπτας καταλάβῃ

the day you_all like thieves /may/_grasp

Paul is saying that the day of the Lord will overtake some people as sunshine overtakes thieves because both the people and the thieves are surprised by and unprepared for the day to arrive. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “the day might overtake you as daytime overtakes thieves while they are stealing” or “you are unprepared for the day as thieves are unprepared for the sun to rise”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἡ ἡμέρα

the day

Here Paul is again referring to what he called “the day of the Lord” in 5:2. Make sure that your readers recognize that this is the same day, and express the idea as you did in 5:2. Alternate translation: “Jesus’ second coming” or “the time when Jesus comes back”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

ὡς κλέπτας

like thieves

Paul is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from earlier in the sentence if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “as daylight overtakes thieves”

Note 8 topic: translate-textvariants

ὡς κλέπτας

like thieves

Here, many ancient manuscripts read as thieves. The ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “as a thief.” This reading would mean that the day overtakes some people as a thief overtakes people and steals from them. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT.