LUKE 3:9 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.)

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 But indeed, the ax is already set against the root of the trees. So, every tree not producing good fruit is chopped down and thrown into a fire.”

UST You are like fruit trees that do not produce good fruit. God is like a man who is positioning the head of his axe at the base of those trees, ready to chop them down and throw them into the fire. God is ready to punish you like that if you continue sinning.”

BLB And already also the ax is applied to the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and is thrown into the fire."

AICNT Indeed, the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree not producing [good][fn] fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

3:9, good: Absent from some manuscripts. 𝔓4 Latin(a ff²)

OEB Already, indeed, the axe is lying at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that fails to bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.’

WEBBE Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

LSV and also the axe is already laid to the root of the trees, every tree, therefore, not making good fruit is cut down, and it is cast into fire.”

FBV The ax is set to begin chopping at the base of the trees. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

TCNT Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

T4T God is ready to punish you if you do not turn away from your sinful behavior, just like a man [MET] lays his axe at the roots of a fruit tree to chop it down and throw it into the fire if it does not produce good fruit [MET].”

LEB And even now the ax is positioned at the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

BBE And even now the axe is put to the root of the trees; and every tree which does not have good fruit will be cut down and put into the fire.

Moff The axe is lying all ready at the root of the trees; any tree that is not producing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

Wymth And even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which fails to yield good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire."

ASV And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

DRA For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down and cast into the fire.

YLT and already also the axe unto the root of the trees is laid, every tree, therefore, not making good fruit is cut down, and to fire it is cast.'

Drby And already also the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into [the] fire.

RV And even now is the axe also laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(And even now is the axe also laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth/brings not forth good fruit is hewn/chopped down, and cast into the fire. )

SLT And also the axe is already laid at the root of the trees: therefore every tree not making good fruit is cut down, and cast into fire.

Wbstr And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

KJB-1769 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth/brings not forth good fruit is hewn/chopped down, and cast into the fire. )

KJB-1611 And now also the axe is laid vnto the root of the trees: Euery tree therefore which bringeth not foorth good fruit, is hewen downe, and cast into the fire.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps Nowe also is the axe layed vnto the roote of the trees: Euery tree therfore which bryngeth not foorth good fruite, is hewen downe, and cast into the fire.
(Now also is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: Every tree therefore which bringeth/brings not forth good fruit, is hewn/chopped down, and cast into the fire.)

Gnva Nowe also is the axe layed vnto the roote of the trees: therefore euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruite, shalbe hewen downe, and cast into the fire.
(Now also is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth/brings not forth good fruit, shall be hewn/chopped down, and cast into the fire. )

Cvdl The axe is put vnto the tre allready: so that euery tre which bryngeth not forth good frute, shalbe hewen downe, and cast in to the fyre.
(The axe is put unto the tree already: so that every tree which bringeth/brings not forth good fruit, shall be hewn/chopped down, and cast in to the fire.)

TNT Now also ys the axe leyd vnto the rote of the trees: so that every tree which bringeth not forth good frute shalbe hewe doune and caste in to the fyre.
(Now also is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: so that every tree which bringeth/brings not forth good fruit shall be hew/chop down and cast/threw in to the fire. )

Wycl And now an axe is sett to the roote of the tree; and therfor euery tre that makith no good fruyt, schal be kit doun, and schal be cast in to the fier.
(And now an axe is set to the root of the tree; and therefore every tree that maketh/makes no good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast in to the fire.)

Luth Es ist schon die Axt den Bäumen an die Wurzel gelegt; welcher Baum nicht gute Früchte bringet, wird abgehauen und in das Feuer geworfen.
(It is already the Axt the trees at/to the root(n) placed; which tree not good fruit brings/gets, becomes ran_away and in the fire(n) thrown.)

ClVg Jam enim securis ad radicem arborum posita est. Omnis ergo arbor non faciens fructum bonum, excidetur, et in ignem mittetur.
(Now because securis to root arborum placed it_is. Everyone therefore arbor not/no making fruit good, excidetur, and in/into/on fire will_sendur. )

UGNT ἤδη δὲ καὶ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται; πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν, ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται.
(aʸdaʸ de kai haʸ axinaʸ pros taʸn ɽizan tōn dendrōn keitai; pan oun dendron maʸ poioun karpon kalon, ekkoptetai kai eis pur balletai.)

SBL-GNT ἤδη δὲ καὶ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται· πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται.
(aʸdaʸ de kai haʸ axinaʸ pros taʸn ɽizan tōn dendrōn keitai; pan oun dendron maʸ poioun karpon kalon ekkoptetai kai eis pur balletai.)

RP-GNT Ἤδη δὲ καὶ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται· πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται.
(Aʸdaʸ de kai haʸ axinaʸ pros taʸn ɽizan tōn dendrōn keitai; pan oun dendron maʸ poioun karpon kalon ekkoptetai kai eis pur balletai.)

TC-GNT Ἤδη δὲ καὶ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται· πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται.
(Aʸdaʸ de kai haʸ axinaʸ pros taʸn ɽizan tōn dendrōn keitai; pan oun dendron maʸ poioun karpon kalon ekkoptetai kai eis pur balletai. )

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–20: John the Baptizer prepared the way for Jesus

The last event in Luke 2 describes Jesus’ trip to Jerusalem when he was twelve years old. This section begins about eighteen years later. At the beginning of chapter 3, both Jesus and John the Baptizer were about thirty years old. Both men were ready to begin public ministry.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings for this section are:

The Preaching of John (NCV)

John the Baptist and Jesus (REB)

John the Baptizer tells people to prepare themselves for the Messiah

Parts of Luke 3:1–20 are basically the same as verses in Matthew 3:1–12. But Luke 3:1–2, 10–14, and 19–20 are not in Matthew.

Paragraph 3:7–9

These verses are similar to the text in Matthew 3:7–10.

3:9a

The axe lies ready at the root of the trees,

Look! Right now there is an ax aimed toward the base/foot of the trees,
Like an ax that a man holds ready to chop down trees at their roots, God’s judgment is about to strike sinners.
God is ready to strike sinful people like a man aiming his ax

In Greek, 3:9a begins with a phrasede kai. that emphasizes what John was about to say. The BSB does not translate this phrase. Consider whether it is natural in your language to use such an expression here. Some ways to translate it in English are:

Yes, even now (NJB)

Indeed (NASB)

The axe lies ready at the root of the trees: This clause is a metaphor. Its literal meaning is that someone has already placed his ax on the ground next to the trees because he is ready to cut them down. This metaphor indicates that God is ready to punish people, just as a man brings his ax over to a tree is ready to cut it down.

In some languages the meaning of this metaphor may not be clear. If this is true in your language, it may be necessary to indicate the meaning more explicitly. For example:

Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. (NLT)

God is about to punish people who do not repent. He is like a man who is aiming his ax at the root of a tree, ready to cut it down.

ready: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as ready emphasizes that the danger is immediate/imminent. The ax is right there, ready to strike. The tree is about to be cut down.

the root: Here the phrase the root refers to the part of the tree that is just above the ground. In this context, it does not mean the part that is below the ground. A person could cut the tree there and make the whole tree fall. In some languages this may be translated as something like:

the base of the tree/trunk

the trees: John did not name a specific type of tree. The context indicates that he was referring to fruit trees, such as fig trees.

3:9b

and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down

and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut/chopped down,
If you do not do what is right/good, you will be like a tree that does not produce good fruit. Such trees will all be cut down
to chop down every tree that does not have the fruit of good deeds

3:9c

and thrown into the fire.”

and it will be thrown into the fire.”
and thrown into fire to burn.”
and throw it into a fire to burn.”

3:9b–c

and In Greek, this part of the verse is connected to 3:9a with a conjunction that is sometimes translated as “therefore,” as in the ESV. Many English versions, including the BSB, translate it as and. Other versions start a new sentence here. For example:

Any tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire. (GW)

Connect 3:9b–c to 3:9a in a way that is natural in your language.

every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire: The Greek verbs that the BSB translates as will be cut down and thrown are passive. In some languages it may be more natural to use an active clause here and supply a general subject such as “man” or “woodcutter.” For example:

the man/woodcutter will cut down every tree that does not produce good fruit and throw it into the fire

In this part of the verse John continued to use the metaphor about the fruit trees from 3:9a. The trees represent people. Fruit trees that do not produce good fruit represent people who do not do and say what is good. The man/woodcutter represents God ready to punish those people. In some languages it may be necessary to make the meaning of the metaphor more explicit here, as in 3:9a. For example:

If anyone is like a tree that does not produce good fruit, God will punish that person. That person will be like a tree that is cut down and burned up.

If you do not repent and do what is good, you will be punished/destroyed like a useless/fruitless tree is cut down and thrown it into a fire.

In some translations, it may be helpful to explain the meaning of the metaphor more fully in a footnote. For example:

God is ready to condemn and severely punish all people who do not repent and do good things that show that they have repented. If the descendants of Abraham do not repent, God will punish them also.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἤδη & ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται

already & the axe (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἤδη Δέ καί ἡ ἀξίνη πρός τήν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται παν οὖν δένδρον μή ποιοῦν καρπόν καλόν ἐκκόπτεται καί εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται)

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this with an active form. Alternate translation: [the person who is going to cut down the tree has already placed his ax against the roots]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἤδη & ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται

This is a figurative way of saying that punishment is just about to begin. Alternate translation: [God is even now getting his punishment ready]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

πᾶν & δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν, ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἤδη Δέ καί ἡ ἀξίνη πρός τήν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται παν οὖν δένδρον μή ποιοῦν καρπόν καλόν ἐκκόπτεται καί εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται)

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this with active forms. Alternate translation: [this person will chop down every tree not producing good fruit and throw it into the fire]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor