YAC 4:12 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). 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.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) There’s only one lawgiver and judge and that’s the one who is able to save and to destroy. So who do you think you are to judge your neighbour!

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

ULT There is one lawgiver and judge, the one being able to save and to destroy. But who are you, the one judging your neighbor?

UST The only one who can judge people according to the law is the one who gave the law. That is God, who is able not just to condemn people for breaking the law but also to pardon them even though they have broken the law. You certainly are not entitled to take God’s place and judge others.

MSB There is only one Lawgiver,[fn] the [One who] is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge the other?[fn]

4:12 CT, F35, and GOC include and Judge.

4:12 CT to judge your neighbor?

BLB There is one Lawgiver and Judge, the One being able to save and to destroy. But who are you judging the neighbor?

AICNT There is one lawgiver [and judge][fn] who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you to judge {your neighbor}?[fn]

4:12, and judge: Absent from some manuscripts. 𝔓74 BYZ TR

4:12, your neighbor: Some manuscripts read “another.” 𝔓74 BYZ TR

OEB There is only one lawgiver and judge – he who has the power both to save and to destroy. So then who are you to pass judgment on your neighbour?

WEBBE Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET But there is only one who is lawgiver and judge – the one who is able to save and destroy. On the other hand, who are you to judge your neighbor?

LSV One is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; you—who are you that judges the other?

FBV There's only one lawgiver and judge—the one who can either save or destroy you—so who are you to judge your neighbor?

TCNT There is only one [fn]lawgiver—he who is able to save and destroy. [fn]But who are yoʋ to judge [fn]another?

4:12 lawgiver ¦ lawgiver and judge ANT CT PCK

4:12 But who ¦ Who TR

4:12 another ¦ yoʋr neighbor CT

T4T But in fact, there is only one who has the authority to tell people what is right to do and to condemn them, and that is God. He alone is able to save people or to destroy people. So, ◄you (sg) certainly have no right to decide how God should punish other people./who are you to decide how God should punish other people?► [RHQ]

LEB There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your[fn] neighbor?

4:12 *Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun

BBE There is only one judge and law-giver, even he who has the power of salvation and of destruction; but who are you to be your neighbour's judge?

Moff One alone is the legislator, who passes sentence; it is He who is able to save and to destroy; who are you, to judge your neighbour?

Wymth The only real Lawgiver and Judge is He who is able to save or to destroy. Who are you to sit in judgement on your fellow man?

ASV One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?

DRA There is one lawgiver, and judge, that is able to destroy and to deliver.

YLT one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; thou — who art thou that dost judge the other?

Drby One is the lawgiver and judge, who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou who judgest thy neighbour?

RV One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbour?
(One only is the law-giver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou/you that judgest thy/your neighbour? )

SLT There is one legislator, able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another.

Wbstr There is one lawgiver, who is able to save, and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

KJB-1769 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
(There is one law-giver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou/you that judgest another? )

KJB-1611 There is one Lawgiuer, who is able to saue, and to destroy: who art thou that iudgest another?
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps There is one lawe geuer, which is able to saue and to destroy. What art thou that iudgest another?
(There is one law geuer, which is able to save and to destroy. What art thou/you that judgest another?)

Gnva There is one Lawgiuer, which is able to saue, and to destroy. Who art thou that iudgest another man?
(There is one Law-giver, which is able to save, and to destroy. Who art thou/you that judgest another man? )

Cvdl There is one lawe geuer, which is able to saue and to distroye. What art thou that iudgest another man?
(There is one law geuer, which is able to save and to distroye. What art thou/you that judgest another man?)

TNT Ther is one lawe gever which is able to save and to distroye. What art thou that iudgest another man?
(There is one law gever which is able to save and to distroye. What art thou/you that judgest another man? )

Wycl But oon is makere of the lawe, and iuge, that may lese, and delyuere.
(But one is maker of the law, and judge, that may lese, and deliver.)

Luth Es ist ein einiger Gesetzgeber, der kann selig machen und verdammen. Wer bist du, der du einen andern urteilest?
(It is a some lawgeber, the/of_the can blessed make and condemn. Who are you(sg), the/of_the you(sg) a change judges(v)st?)

ClVg Unus est legislator et judex, qui potest perdere et liberare.
(One it_is legislator and the_judge, who/which can to_lose and to_free. )

UGNT εἷς ἐστιν νομοθέτης καὶ κριτής, ὁ δυνάμενος σῶσαι καὶ ἀπολέσαι. σὺ δὲ τίς εἶ, ὁ κρίνων τὸν πλησίον?
(heis estin nomothetaʸs kai kritaʸs, ho dunamenos sōsai kai apolesai. su de tis ei, ho krinōn ton plaʸsion?)

SBL-GNT εἷς ⸀ἐστιν νομοθέτης ⸂καὶ κριτής⸃, ὁ δυνάμενος σῶσαι καὶ ἀπολέσαι· σὺ δὲ τίς εἶ, ⸂ὁ κρίνων⸃ τὸν ⸀πλησίον;
(heis ⸀estin nomothetaʸs ⸂kai kritaʸs⸃, ho dunamenos sōsai kai apolesai; su de tis ei, ⸂ho krinōn⸃ ton ⸀plaʸsion;)

RP-GNT Εἷς ἐστὶν ὁ νομοθέτης, ὁ δυνάμενος σῶσαι καὶ ἀπολέσαι· σὺ δὲ τίς εἶ ὃς κρίνεις τὸν ἕτερον;
(Heis estin ho nomothetaʸs, ho dunamenos sōsai kai apolesai; su de tis ei hos krineis ton heteron;)

TC-GNT Εἷς ἐστιν [fn]ὁ νομοθέτης, ὁ δυνάμενος σῶσαι καὶ ἀπολέσαι· σὺ [fn]δὲ τίς εἶ [fn]ὃς κρίνεις τὸν [fn]ἕτερον;
(Heis estin ho nomothetaʸs, ho dunamenos sōsai kai apolesai; su de tis ei hos krineis ton heteron; )

4:12 ο νομοθετης ¦ ο νομοθετης και κριτης ANT ECM NA PCK TH ¦ νομοθετης και κριτης SBL WH

4:12 δε ¦ — TR

4:12 ος κρινεις ¦ ο κρινων ECM^† NA SBL TH WH

4:12 ετερον ¦ πλησιον CT

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–12: Believers must submit to God, not to their own selfish desires

In this section, James wrote about the problem of Christians quarreling among themselves. He identified the root of the problem as our human selfish desires. Then he pointed out that the solution is to humble ourselves and submit to God.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Warning against being God’s enemy (UBS)

Submit Yourselves to God (NIV)

Paragraph 4:11–12

In this paragraph, James wrote about not saying cruel words about one’s fellow Christians. If a person says cruel words about others, it means he is setting himself up as a judge over them.

4:12a

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge,

There is one giver of and judge of the law.
But God alone gave/made the law and is the true/ultimate judge of the law and people.
But it is God who made/wrote the law and judges people. Not you^(sing).

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as There is only one Lawgiver and Judge is more literally “There is one lawgiver and judge” (as in the RSV). The BSB and NIV add the word only to make the meaning clearer in English.

The Greek text does not say explicitly who the Lawgiver and Judge is. But to James’ readers, it was obvious from the rest of the sentence that it is God. In some languages, it may be necessary to mention God explicitly. For example:

God is the only lawgiver and judge. (GNT)

Lawgiver: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Lawgiver is a noun. In some languages, it is more natural to translate the word Lawgiver as a clause. For example:

the giver of the law

the one who gave the law

It may also be more natural to use a verb other than “give.” For example:

the one who made the law

God who wrote/commanded laws

God is where the law came from

Judge: Here the word Judge refers to God. He is the ultimate judge. He is the only one who has authority over the law and can be its judge. He is the only one who has authority to judge people concerning their eternal destiny (4:12b). This contrasts with humans, who do not have authority to judge the law, nor to decide the eternal destiny of people. In some languages, it may be good to make this contrast explicit. For example:

true Judge

ultimate Judge of the law and people

In some languages, it is more natural to translate the noun Judge as a clause. For example:

one who can judge all things

See judge, meaning 1, in the Glossary.

4:12b

the One who is able to save

It is he who is able to save people
He is the one who can rescue people eternally

the One who is able to save: The Greek word that the BSB translates as to save means “to rescue from danger or trouble”. In this context, it refers to God rescuing people from eternal death and punishment.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

to free us from punishment

to rescue people

save from eternal death

This word also occurs in 1:21d and 2:14d. See save, meaning 1, in the Glossary.

4:12c

and destroy.

and to destroy people eternally.
or punish them.

and destroy: The Greek word that the BSB translates as destroy refers to eternal ruin and loss. It does not refer to an end of existence. Another way to translate this word is:

to punish us eternally

4:12d

But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Who do you^(sing) think you are that you can accuse/condemn another person?
So, why do you^(sing) criticize and judge your fellow person?
So it is not right for you to judge your neighbor. (NCV)

But who are you to judge your neighbor?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses a rebuke. James used this rhetorical question to rebuke those who were judging their neighbors. He has just stated in 4:12a–c that judging is God’s work. This rhetorical question implies, “You have no right to do that!”

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Who do you think you are, to judge someone else? (GNT)
Why do you^(sing) judge your neighbor?
Do you now think that you are that type of person that has power to judge his fellow person?
As a statement. For example:
So it is not right for you to judge your neighbor. (NCV)

Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.

But who are you: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as But indicates a contrast. The contrast is between the word “One” (in 4:12b), that is, God, and you. James emphasized the pronoun you by making it the first word of this sentence and the NIV reflects this emphasis by repeating the word you:

But you—who are you (NIV)

Verse 4:12d is also the conclusion to this paragraph. Another way to connect 4:12d to the rest of the verse is:

So (GW)

judge: The word judge is the same word as in 4:11c. Some ways to translate it are:

Follow the advice given at 4:11c:
condemn
harshly/severely accuse your neighbor of doing wrong
criticize/rebuke your neighbor in a mean/unkind manner See judge, meaning 2, in the Glossary.
Use your word for the work of a judge:
judge (verb) See judge, meaning 1, in the Glossary.
Combine both optionsBoth translation options (with the word “judge” or not) probably preserve part of James’ logic. 1) Using the word “judge” connects with James’ statement that there is only one Judge. God has the authority to judge people; we do not have authority to judge our brother or neighbor. 2) When we judge in the sense of “harshly criticizing” our brother, we fail to keep the command to love our neighbor. We, therefore, judge the law. But there is only one who has authority to judge the law, the one who gave it. We do not have this authority. Therefore, we do not have the right to judge our neighbor. above:
criticize and judge

your neighbor: The Greek word that the BSB translates as neighbor includes anyone that you know. It does not just mean someone who lives nearby or someone who belongs to the same language-group.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

someone else (GNT)

anyone (CEV)

The word neighbor also occurs in 2:8c–d.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

εἷς ἐστιν νομοθέτης καὶ κριτής

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἱς ἐστίν νομοθέτης καί κριτής ὁ δυνάμενος σῶσαι καί ἀπολέσαι σύ Δέ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων τόν πλησίον)

Alternate translation: [The lawgiver and judge are the same person]

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

ὁ δυνάμενος σῶσαι καὶ ἀπολέσαι

the_‹one› being_able ˓to˒_save the_‹one› (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἱς ἐστίν νομοθέτης καί κριτής ὁ δυνάμενος σῶσαι καί ἀπολέσαι σύ Δέ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων τόν πλησίον)

James uses this phrase, which identifies God by two of his attributes, to clarify whom he means by one lawgiver and judge. Alternate translation: [God, who is able to save and to destroy]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

σὺ δὲ τίς εἶ, ὁ κρίνων τὸν πλησίον?

James is using the question form to challenge and teach his readers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question by translating his words as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: [But you have no right to judge a neighbor!]

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

σὺ δὲ τίς εἶ

For emphasis, James includes the pronoun you even though it is not required with the verb. If your language does not ordinarily require pronouns with verbs but it can include them for emphasis, it would be appropriate to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may be able to convey this emphasis in other ways, such as by repeating the pronoun. Alternate translation: [But you, who are you]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / youcrowd

σὺ & τίς εἶ

As in the previous verse, James is using the singular form of you because even though he is addressing a group of people, he is describing an individual situation.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

τὸν πλησίον