LUKE 16:8 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) When he heard, the landowner praised the dishonest manager for his shrewdness because the modern generation are better at working the system than the children of light in their generation.

Key: khaki: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 RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And the master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are shrewder than the sons of the light in their own generation.

UST When the master heard what his manager had done, he praised the dishonest manager for being so clever. The truth is, the people who belong to this world are more clever than the people who belong to God in how they relate to those around them.

BLB And the master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd than the sons of the light in their own generation.

AICNT And the lord praised the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; [[therefore, I say to you]][fn] for the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.”

16:8, therefore, I say to you: Some manuscripts include. D(05) Latin(a)

OEB His master complimented this dishonest steward on the shrewdness of his action. And indeed men of the world are shrewder in dealing with their fellow men than those who have the light.

WEBBE “His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their contemporaries than the people of light.

LSV And the lord commended the unrighteous steward that he did prudently, because the sons of this age are more prudent than the sons of the light in respect to their generation.

FBV The rich man commended his dishonest manager for his cunning idea. The children of this world are more cunning towards one another than are the children of light.

TCNT So the master commended the unrighteous steward because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the people of the light.

T4T When his master heard what the manager had done, he admired the dishonest manager for the clever thing he had done. The truth is that the ungodly people in this world act more wisely toward other people than godly people [MET] act.

LEB And the master praised the dishonest manager, because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are shrewder than the sons of light with regard to their own generation.[fn]

16:8 Or “kind”

BBE And his lord was pleased with the false servant, because he had been wise; for the sons of this world are wiser in relation to their generation than the sons of light.

Moff Well, the master praised the dishonest factor for looking ahead; for the children of this world look further ahead in dealing with their own generation than the children of Light.

Wymth "And the master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for, in relation to their own contemporaries, the men of this age are shrewder than the sons of Light.

ASV And his lord commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely: for the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light.

DRA And the lord commended the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.

YLT 'And the lord commended the unrighteous steward that he did prudently, because the sons of this age are more prudent than the sons of the light, in respect to their generation.

Drby And the lord praised the unrighteous steward because he had done prudently. For the sons of this world are, for their own generation, more prudent than the sons of light.

RV And his lord commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely: for the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light.

SLT And the Lord praised the steward of injustice, because he did wisely: for the sons of this life are wiser than the children of light in their generation.

Wbstr And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

KJB-1769 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

KJB-1611 And the lord commended the vniust Steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light.
(And the lord commended the unjust Steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light.)

Bshps And the Lord commended the vniuste stewarde, because he had done wisely. For the chyldren of this worlde are in their nation, wiser then the chyldren of lyght.
(And the Lord commended the unjuste stewarde, because he had done wisely. For the children of this world are in their nation, wiser then the children of light.)

Gnva And the Lord commended the vniust stewarde, because he had done wisely. Wherefore the children of this worlde are in their generation wiser then the children of light.
(And the Lord commended the unjust stewarde, because he had done wisely. Wherefore the children of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light. )

Cvdl And the lorde comended the vnrighteous stewarde, because he had done wysely. For the children of this worlde are in their kynde wyser, the the children of light.
(And the lord comingded the unrighteous stewarde, because he had done wisely. For the children of this world are in their kind wiser, the the children of light.)

TNT And the lorde comended the vniust stewarde because he had done wysly. For the chyldren of this worlde are in their kynde wyser then the chyldren of lyght.
(And the lord comingded the unjust stewarde because he had done wysly. For the children of this world are in their kind wiser then the children of light. )

Wycl And the lord preiside the baili of wickydnesse, for he hadde do prudentli; for the sones of this world ben more prudent in her generacioun than the sones of liyt.
(And the lord praised the baili of wickedness, for he had do prudentli; for the sons of this world been more prudent in her generation than the sons of light.)

Luth Und der Herr lobete den ungerechten Haushalter, daß er klüglich getan hatte. Denn die Kinder dieser Welt sind klüger denn die Kinder des Lichts in ihrem Geschlechte.
(And the/of_the Lord praisese the ungerechten household, that he wise/clever did had. Because the children this world are smarter because/than the children the light(n)s in their descendants.)

ClVg Et laudavit dominus villicum iniquitatis, quia prudenter fecisset: quia filii hujus sæculi prudentiores filiis lucis in generatione sua sunt.[fn]
(And I_praisedt master villicum iniquity, because prudently would_have_done: because children of_this of_the_world/of_the_ages prudentiores to_the_children light in/into/on generation his_own are. )

16.8 Et laudavit Dominus. Si dispensator iniqui mammonæ Domini voce laudatur quod de re iniqua sibi justitiam præparavit, et passus dispendium, tamen laudat prudentiam ejus, non quod adversum Dominum fraudulenter egerit, sed quod pro se prudenter fecerit: quanto magis Christus qui nullum damnum sustinere potest, et pronus est ad clementiam, laudabit discipulos, si in sibi creditos misericordes fuerint. Filii hujus sæculi. Cujus quisque opera agit, ejus et filius dicitur; unde: Filii hujus sæculi, id est tenebrarum; et filii lucis, æternæ vitæ.

16.8 And I_praisedt Master. When/But_if dispensator unjust mammonæ Master voice is_praised that from/about re unfair to_himself justice prepared, and suffered dispendium, nevertheless praises prudence his, not/no that against the_Master fraudulently did, but that for himself prudently he_did: how_much more Christ/Messiah who/which none loss/damage to_endure can, and pronus it_is to mercy/clemencym, praisebit disciples, when/but_if in/into/on to_himself he_believesos miserablecordes they_have_been. Children of_this of_the_world/of_the_ages. Cuyus everyone/whoever works acts, his and son it_is_said; from_where/who: Children of_this of_the_world/of_the_ages, that it_is of_darkness; and children light, eternal of_life.

UGNT καὶ ἐπῄνεσεν ὁ κύριος τὸν οἰκονόμον τῆς ἀδικίας, ὅτι φρονίμως ἐποίησεν. ὅτι οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου φρονιμώτεροι ὑπὲρ τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ φωτὸς εἰς τὴν γενεὰν τὴν ἑαυτῶν εἰσιν.
(kai epaʸnesen ho kurios ton oikonomon taʸs adikias, hoti fronimōs epoiaʸsen. hoti hoi huioi tou aiōnos toutou fronimōteroi huper tous huious tou fōtos eis taʸn genean taʸn heautōn eisin.)

SBL-GNT καὶ ἐπῄνεσεν ὁ κύριος τὸν οἰκονόμον τῆς ἀδικίας ὅτι φρονίμως ἐποίησεν· ὅτι οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου φρονιμώτεροι ὑπὲρ τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ φωτὸς εἰς τὴν γενεὰν τὴν ἑαυτῶν εἰσιν.
(kai epaʸnesen ho kurios ton oikonomon taʸs adikias hoti fronimōs epoiaʸsen; hoti hoi huioi tou aiōnos toutou fronimōteroi huper tous huious tou fōtos eis taʸn genean taʸn heautōn eisin.)

RP-GNT Καὶ ἐπῄνεσεν ὁ κύριος τὸν οἰκονόμον τῆς ἀδικίας ὅτι φρονίμως ἐποίησεν· ὅτι οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου φρονιμώτεροι ὑπὲρ τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ φωτὸς εἰς τὴν γενεὰν τὴν ἑαυτῶν εἰσίν.
(Kai epaʸnesen ho kurios ton oikonomon taʸs adikias hoti fronimōs epoiaʸsen; hoti hoi huioi tou aiōnos toutou fronimōteroi huper tous huious tou fōtos eis taʸn genean taʸn heautōn eisin.)

TC-GNT Καὶ ἐπῄνεσεν ὁ κύριος τὸν οἰκονόμον τῆς ἀδικίας ὅτι φρονίμως ἐποίησεν· ὅτι οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου φρονιμώτεροι ὑπὲρ τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ φωτὸς εἰς τὴν γενεὰν [fn]τὴν ἑαυτῶν εἰσι.
(Kai epaʸnesen ho kurios ton oikonomon taʸs adikias hoti fronimōs epoiaʸsen; hoti hoi huioi tou aiōnos toutou fronimōteroi huper tous huious tou fōtos eis taʸn genean taʸn heautōn eisi. )

16:8 την ¦ — SCR

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 16:1–13: Jesus told a parable about a dishonest manager who acted wisely

In the main part of this section, 16:1–8b, Jesus told a parable that appears only in Luke. In this parable a rich man had hired a man to manage his money and possessions for him. The manager was dishonest in his work, so the rich man said that he could not continue to be his manager. But before the manager left this work, he used his position and money to cause other people to like him. He did this so that they would help him when he no longer had an income.

The main point of this parable is that the manager knew how to use money to make things better for his own future. In this way he was a good example for Jesus’ disciples. The parable does not mean that Jesus approved of the manager’s dishonesty.

In 16:8c–16:9 Jesus commented on the parable and applied it to his disciples. In 16:10–13 he gave other teachings about the proper use of wealth.

Other possible headings for this section are:

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (NIV)

The dishonest man who was in charge of a rich man’s wealth

Paragraph 16:8

Jesus concluded the parable in 16:8a–b. In 16:8c he gave an explanatory comment about the parable, and in 16:9 he applied the parable to his disciples. The BSB puts these two verses into one paragraph. In some languages it may be more natural to start a new paragraph in 16:9, as in the GNT and NJB. These Notes will treat 16:8 as one paragraph and 16:9 as a separate paragraph.

16:8a

The master commended the dishonest manager

¶ “When his employer/boss heard what his deceiving/dishonest manager had done, he praised him
¶ “As a result, even though his employee had been deceitful/untrustworthy, his master/employer complimented him

16:8b

because he had acted shrewdly.

because he had been clever/smart in providing for his own needs.
for his cleverness/foresight to plan for his livelihood in the future.

16:8a–b

The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly: Somehow the rich man found out what the manager had done. In some languages it may be necessary to supply this information:

When the master heard about this, he commended the dishonest manager for acting shrewdly.

It is important to make clear in your translation that the rich man praised his manager because he had acted shrewdly (16:8b). He did not praise him because he was dishonest. For example:

the master of this dishonest manager praised him for doing such a shrewd thing (GNT)

even though the manager was dishonest, his employer complimented him because of his clever action

The master: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as The master refers to the master or employer of the manager. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit:

His employer/boss

commended: The Greek word that the BSB translates as commended means here to praise or compliment someone.

dishonest: The Greek word that the BSB translates as dishonest often refers to someone who is “unrighteous” or “wicked.” In this context it refers primarily to the manager’s earlier actions of cheating his master by wasting his master’s money and spending it on himself. But it may also include his final actions of having the debtors change the amounts of their debt. In languages that do not have a word such as dishonest, other ways to translate this word are:

deceiving/deceitful

not trustworthy

because he had acted shrewdly: This clause explains why the rich man praised his manager. The rich man admired the cleverness and foresight with which the manager had acted in 16:5–7. Here is another way to translate this:

for doing such a shrewd thing (GNT)

16:8c

For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind

We^(incl) can understand this because the people of this world are wiser in relating to their companions
This shows that people whose minds are worldly are more clever in their business dealings with their fellowmen
Yes, it is true that the people of this world who do not follow God are often skillful/wise in how they treat other people,

16:8d

than are the sons of light.

than the people who belong to the light. (GNT)
than the people of the light.”
but the people who follow God are not so skillful/wise.”

16:8c–d

For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as For introduces a comment that Jesus made about the parable. This comment is part of the point that the parable illustrates. Be sure it is clear in your translation that Jesus was now commenting about the parable. He was no longer telling the parable. For example:

This parable shows that

This is understandable because

the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light: This is a comparison. Jesus was comparing one group of people to another group of people. (See the notes below for an explanation of what these groups are.) Like the dishonest manager, people in the first group are often very clever in how they treat other people. People in the second group are often not so clever. In some languages it may be necessary to translate this as two sentences:

…the sons of this age are very clever/wise in dealing with their own kind. The sons of the light are not so clever!

the sons of this age: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates literally as the sons of this age is an idiom. It refers to people who value things that are important on earth (such as money and status) instead of valuing what is important in heaven. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

worldly people (NCV)

people who do not obey God

people who have worldly lifestyles (TRT)

more shrewd: The Greek word that the BSB translates as more shrewd is a form of the same word that it translates as “shrewdly” in 16:8b.

in dealing with: The Greek word that the BSB translates as in dealing with is literally “in (regard to).” In this context, it implies “in interacting with” or “in handling business affairs with.”

their own kind: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as their own kind is literally “their own generation.” The RSV and several other English versions translate it that way. There are at least three ways to interpret this phrase:

It refers to other people who were like them. For example:
other people who are worldly like themselves (TRT) (BSB, NIV, REB, NJB, NCV)
It refers to other people who were living at the same time. For example:
in dealing with their contemporaries (NET) (NET, RSV, JBP)
It refers to money and business matters. Other people are only implied. For example:
in handling their affairs (GNT) (GNT, CEV, NLT)

All three of these interpretations overlap. In the context, interpretation (3) could apply to either (1) and (2) or both. It is recommended that you use a general expression that refers to dealing with people. For example:

when it comes to dealing with others (GW)

the sons of light: The Greek idiom that the BSB translates literally as the sons of light refers to:

people who are associated with God, the source of light;
people who have been spiritually enlightened by God’s truth.

In some languages it may be possible to retain a reference to light. For example:

the people who belong to the light (GNT)

people whose minds God has illuminated

In other languages it may be necessary to drop the figure of light. For example:

people who are followers of God

God’s people (TRT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

φρονίμως ἐποίησεν

prudently ˱he˲_performed

Alternate translation: [he had looked out for himself] or [he had planned for the future]

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου

the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἐπῄνεσεν ὁ κύριος τόν οἰκονόμον τῆς ἀδικίας ὅτι φρονίμως ἐποίησεν Ὅτι οἱ υἱοί τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου φρονιμώτεροι ὑπέρ τούς υἱούς τοῦ φωτός εἰς τήν γενεάν τήν ἑαυτῶν εἰσίν)

The expression sons of is an idiom that means the people in view share the qualities of something. In this case, Jesus is describing people who share the values and outlook of the present world. Alternate translation: [the people of this present world]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου

¬the ˱of˲_age this

The term age means specifically the long period of time defined by the duration of the created world and, by association, the world itself. Alternate translation: [of this present world]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ φωτὸς

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἐπῄνεσεν ὁ κύριος τόν οἰκονόμον τῆς ἀδικίας ὅτι φρονίμως ἐποίησεν Ὅτι οἱ υἱοί τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου φρονιμώτεροι ὑπέρ τούς υἱούς τοῦ φωτός εἰς τήν γενεάν τήν ἑαυτῶν εἰσίν)

The expression sons of is once again an idiom that means the people in view share the qualities of something, in this case the influence of God. Alternate translation: [the people of God] or [godly people]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ φωτὸς

The term light is a metaphor for the presence and influence of God in the world. Alternate translation: [the people of God] or [godly people]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

εἰς τὴν γενεὰν τὴν ἑαυτῶν

in (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἐπῄνεσεν ὁ κύριος τόν οἰκονόμον τῆς ἀδικίας ὅτι φρονίμως ἐποίησεν Ὅτι οἱ υἱοί τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου φρονιμώτεροι ὑπέρ τούς υἱούς τοῦ φωτός εἰς τήν γενεάν τήν ἑαυτῶν εἰσίν)

Jesus speaks of the sons of this age as if they had all been born in the same generation. Alternate translation: [in relation to their own kind]

Parallel LUKE 16:8