OET interlinear ZEC 1:6

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

אַ֣ךְ דְּבָרַ֣⁠י וְ⁠חֻקַּ֗⁠י

but words_of,my and,statutes_of,my

Yahweh uses the word But here to indicate a contrast between the mortality of the fathers and prophets and the enduring effect of God’s words and statutes. In your translation, indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [However, my words and my statutes]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

הֲ⁠ל֥וֹא הִשִּׂ֖יגוּ אֲבֹתֵי⁠כֶ֑ם

am=not overtake ancestors_of,your(pl)

Yahweh is using the question form to emphasize that his words certainly did overtake the ancestors. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [they certainly overtook your fathers.]

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

וַ⁠יָּשׁ֣וּבוּ וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֗וּ

and,they_repented and=they_said

The pronoun they refers to the ancestors, not to the words and statutes mentioned earlier in the verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And your ancestors repented and said]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

כִּ⁠דְרָכֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ וּ⁠כְ⁠מַ֣עֲלָלֵ֔י⁠נוּ

according,to_of,our_ways and,according,to_of,our_deeds

The ancestors are speaking of how they lived as if that were a way or path that they were walking along. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [according to how we behaved and according to what we did]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

דְּבָרַ֣⁠י וְ⁠חֻקַּ֗⁠י & הִשִּׂ֖יגוּ אֲבֹתֵי⁠כֶ֑ם

words_of,my and,statutes_of,my & overtake ancestors_of,your(pl)

Yahweh is speaking of my words and my statutes as if they were living things that could pursue and catch people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [my words and my statutes, … did they not come true for your fathers]