Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible. This view is only designed for doing comparisons of different translations. Click on any Bible version abbreviation to see the verse in more of its context. The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

OET (OET-RV) Oh, are we beginning to pat ourselves on the back again? Don’t we need written references for you all, or from you all, like some others do?

Key: yellow:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or we do not need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you, do we?

UST We are not going to prove to you a second time that we are trustworthy. As you know, you do not need to write or receive a note that proves that we are trustworthy, even though you might need to do those things for other people.

BSB § Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?

BLB Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or like some, do we need commendatory letters to you or from you?

AICNT Do we begin again to commend ourselves? {Or do we}[fn] need, as some do, letters {of recommendation}[fn] to you or from you?

3:1, Or do we: Later manuscripts read “If we do.”

3:1, of recommendation: Later manuscripts add.

OEB ¶ Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or are we like some who need letters of commendation to you, or from you?

WEB Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?

NET Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? We don’t need letters of recommendation to you or from you as some other people do, do we?

LSV Do we begin again to recommend ourselves, except we need, as some, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?

FBV Are we starting to speak well of ourselves again? Or do we need to have some letter of recommendation for you, or from you, as some people do?

TCNT Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? [fn]Do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or [fn]letters of recommendation from you?

3:1 Do ¦ Or do CT SCR

3:1 letters of recommendation ¦ — CT

T4T As I write these things about myself, I am [RHQ] not doing it to boast about how good I am, as some of you say I do. Some people always carry letters with them that tell how well they work, that other people have written. But I do not [RHQ] need to bring letters like that when I come to you. Nor do I need to ask you to write letters like that for me when I go to other congregations.

LEB Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we, like some, need letters of recommendation to you or from you?

BBE Do we seem to be again attempting to put ourselves in the right? or have we need, as some have, of letters of approval to you or from you?

MOF No MOF 2COR book available

ASV Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some, epistles of commendation to you or from you?

DRA Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need (as some do) epistles of commendation to you, or from you?

YLT Do we begin again to recommend ourselves, except we need, as some, letters of recommendation unto you, or from you?

DBY Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or do we need, as some, commendatory letters to you, or [commendatory] from you?

RV Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some, epistles of commendation to you or from you?

WBS Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others , epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you.

KJB Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
(Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? )

BB Do we begyn to prayse our selues agayne? Or neede we as some other of epistles of recomendation vnto you? or letters of recommendation from you?
(Do we begyn to prayse our selves again? Or need we as some other of epistles of recomendation unto you? or letters of recommendation from you?)

GNV Doe we begin to praise our selues againe? or neede we as some other, epistles of recommendation vnto you, or letters of recommendation from you?
(Doe we begin to praise our selves again? or need we as some other, epistles of recommendation unto you, or letters of recommendation from you? )

CB Begynne we then agayne to prayse or selues? Or nede we (as some other) of pistles of commedacion vnto you or letters of commedacion from you?
(Begynne we then again to prayse or selves? Or need we (as some other) of pistles of commedacion unto you or letters of commedacion from you?)

TNT We begyn to prayse oure selves agayne. Nede we as some other of pistles of recommendacion vnto you? or letters of recommendacion from you?
(We begyn to prayse our selves again. Nede we as some other of pistles of recommendacion unto you? or letters of recommendacion from you? )

WYC Bigynnen we therfor eftsoone to preise vs silf? or whether we neden, as summen, pistlis of preisinge to you, or of you?
(Bigynnen we therefore eftsoone to preise us self? or whether we neden, as summen, pistlis of preisinge to you, or of you?)

LUT Heben wir denn abermal an, uns selbst zu preisen? Oder bedürfen wir, wie etliche, der Lobebriefe an euch oder Lobebriefe von euch?
(Heben wir because butmal an, uns himself/itself to preisen? Oder bedürfen wir, like etliche, the Lobebriefe at you or Lobebriefe from you?)

CLV Incipimus iterum nosmetipsos commendare? aut numquid egemus (sicut quidam) commendatitiis epistolis ad vos, aut ex vobis?[fn]
(Incipimus iterum nosmetipsos commendare? aut numquid egemus (sicut quidam) commendatitiis epistolis to vos, aut ex vobis?)

3.1 Incipimus iterum. Quia sciebat eos sinistre accipere suam commendationem, sicut et in prima Epistola, quasi suam gloriam quæreret; incipit contra eorum opinionem ostendere se non suam gloriam, sed Dei quærere.

3.1 Incipimus iterum. Quia sciebat them sinistre accipere his_own commendationem, like and in the_first Epistola, as_if his_own gloriam quæreret; incipit contra eorum opinionem ostendere se not/no his_own gloriam, but God quærere.

UGNT ἀρχόμεθα πάλιν ἑαυτοὺς συνιστάνειν? ἢ μὴ χρῄζομεν, ὥς τινες, συστατικῶν ἐπιστολῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἢ ἐξ ὑμῶν?
(arⱪometha palin heautous sunistanein? aʸ maʸ ⱪraʸzomen, hōs tines, sustatikōn epistolōn pros humas aʸ ex humōn?)

SBL-GNT Ἀρχόμεθα πάλιν ἑαυτοὺς ⸀συνιστάνειν; ⸀ἢ μὴ χρῄζομεν ὥς τινες συστατικῶν ἐπιστολῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἢ ἐξ ⸀ὑμῶν;
(Arⱪometha palin heautous ⸀sunistanein? ⸀aʸ maʸ ⱪraʸzomen hōs tines sustatikōn epistolōn pros humas aʸ ex ⸀humōn? )

TC-GNT Ἀρχόμεθα πάλιν ἑαυτοὺς συνιστάνειν; [fn]Εἰ μὴ χρῄζομεν, ὥς τινες, συστατικῶν ἐπιστολῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἢ ἐξ ὑμῶν [fn]συστατικῶν;
(Arⱪometha palin heautous sunistanein? Ei maʸ ⱪraʸzomen, hōs tines, sustatikōn epistolōn pros humas, aʸ ex humōn sustatikōn?)

3:1 ει ¦ η CT SCR

3:1 συστατικων ¦ — CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἀρχόμεθα & ἑαυτοὺς & μὴ χρῄζομεν

˱we˲_/are/_beginning & ourselves & not ˱we˲_/are/_needing

Here, just as in 2:14–15, 17, the word we does not include the Corinthians. It could refer to: (1) Paul and those who proclaim the gospel with him. Alternate translation: “Are we who preach beginning … ourselves … we do not need … do we” (2) just Paul. Alternate translation: “Am I beginning … myself … I do not need … do I”

2 Corinthians 3 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

4. Paul’s ministry (2:14–7:4) * Qualification for ministry (3:1–6) * Ministry of Moses and ministry of Paul (3:7–4:6)

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Letters of recommendation

In 3:1–3, Paul refers to “letters of recommendation.” These were letters that a person carried with them when they traveled to a new place. Someone that the traveler knew would write that the traveler could be trusted and should be welcomed, and the traveler would give this letter to people that he or she visited. If something like this is not a common practice in your culture, you may need to explain it for your readers in a footnote. (See: letter)

Letter and Spirit

In 3:6–8, Paul contrasts “letter” and “Spirit.” In these verses, the word “letter” refers to written characters, and the word “Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit. Paul’s point is that whatever is characterized by the “letter” is something that is only written down and does not have any power. Whatever is characterized by the “Spirit” has power and can change people. Although it also might be written down, the “Spirit” gives it power. Paul uses this contrast to describe one of the differences between the old covenant (“letter”) and the new covenant (“Spirit”). Consider a natural way to express this contrast in your language.

Glory

Throughout this chapter, Paul speaks extensively of “glory.” He indicates that the old covenant and ministry had glory, but the new covenant and ministry have much more glory. The word “glory” refers to how great, powerful, and amazing someone or something is. Consider how to express this idea throughout the chapter. (See: glory)

Veiling of the glory on Moses’ face

In 3:7, 13, Paul refers to a story about what happened when Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Because he met God and spoke with him, Moses’ face became bright or shining. Because of that, Moses would cover his face with a veil or cloth when he was with the Israelites after he spoke with God. You can read this story in Exodus 34:29–35. Paul also notes that the brightness or “glory” on Moses’ face would fade away. This detail cannot be found directly in the story in Exodus. Paul either inferred it from the story, or it was tradition to say that the “glory” faded away. If your readers would not understand what Paul refers to in these verses, you could include a footnote or explanatory information. (See: veil)

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

The Corinthians as a letter of recommendation

In 3:2–3, Paul describes the Corinthians themselves as a letter of recommendation for him and his fellow workers. He speaks in this way because anyone who knows the Corinthians will know that they believed because of Paul and those who worked with him. In this way, the Corinthians “recommend” Paul as a true apostle of Jesus. If possible, preserve the metaphor of a letter of recommendation or express the idea with a simile.

The “veil”

After he introduces how Moses put an actual “veil” over his face, Paul begins to use the word “veil” and related words in figurative ways (See: 3:14–18). He claims that people who are not united to Christ cannot understand the Old Testament, and he describes this inability to understand as a “veil” that covers their hearts. In other words, just as the the veil obscured the glory on Moses’ face, so the meaning of the Old Testament is obscured for someone who hears it but does not believe in Jesus. However,Paul says that this “veil” is taken away when someone believes in Jesus. Because of that, those who believe have no “veil” and can reflect God’s glory even more than Moses’ did. This is a complex figure of speech that connects directly to the story about Moses and his veil. Because of that, it is important to preserve the “veil” language. If your readers would not understand that Paul is speaking figuratively, you could use a simile to express the idea.

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

“The Lord is the Spirit”

In 3:17, Paul states that “the Lord is the Spirit.” Scholars have understood this sentence in three primary ways. First, Paul could be defining who he meant when he referred to “the Lord” in the previous verse (3:16). Second, Paul could be stating that the way that believers experience “the Lord” is as the Holy Spirit. Third, Paul could be stating that “the Lord” is a spirit or is spiritual. It is most likely true that Paul is defining who “the Lord” he has referred to is, so it is recommended that you follow the first option. See the notes on this verse for translation possibilities.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

ἀρχόμεθα πάλιν ἑαυτοὺς συνιστάνειν?

˱we˲_/are/_beginning again ourselves /to_be/_commending

Paul does not ask this question because he is looking for information. Rather, he asks it to involve the Corinthians in what he is arguing. The question implies that the answer is “no, we are not.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea by using a strong negation. Alternate translation: “We are certainly not beginning to commend ourselves again!”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πάλιν

again

Here, the word again implies that Paul and his fellow workers had already “commended themselves” at some point in the past. Most likely, this happened when they first met the Corinthians. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that makes this more explicit. Alternate translation: “once more” or “again, like we did at first”

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

ἢ

The word Or introduces an alternative to what Paul asked in the first question. In that question, he implied that they were not “commending” themselves again. With Or, then, Paul poses a question that introduces the incorrect alternative: they might need letters of recommendation. He introduces this incorrect alternative to show that the implication of his first question is true: they are not “commending” themselves again. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express Or with a word that signifies a contrast or gives an alternative. Alternate translation: “Rather,” or “On the contrary,”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

ἢ μὴ χρῄζομεν, ὥς τινες, συστατικῶν ἐπιστολῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἢ ἐξ ὑμῶν?

or not ˱we˲_/are/_needing as some ˱of˲_commendatory letters to you_all or from you_all

Paul does not ask this question because he is looking for information. Rather, he asks it to involve the Corinthians in what he is arguing. The question implies that the answer is “we do not need them.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea by using a strong negation. Alternate translation: “In fact, we certainly do not need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you.”

Note 6 topic: writing-pronouns

ὥς τινες

as some

Here, the word some refers generally to people other than Paul and his fellow workers. Paul may more specifically have in mind the people who opposed him in Corinth, but he does not make this explicit. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that refers to people other than Paul and those who serve with him. Alternate translation: “like some others” or “like some people”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

συστατικῶν ἐπιστολῶν

˱of˲_commendatory letters

Here Paul uses the possessive form to refer to letters that gave a recommendation for the person who carry the letter. Many people in Paul’s culture would ask friends to write these letters, and then they would show the letters to people they visited to prove that they were trustworthy and could be welcomed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that naturally refers to this kind of letter. Alternate translation: “letters of reference” or “letters of introduction”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

Parallel 2COR 3:1