MAT 5:25 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) “Resolve things with your opponent as soon as you can, hopefully while you’re still on the way to the court, in case your opponent turns you in to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and then you’ll end up in prison.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect 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 Be in agreement with your accuser quickly while you are with him on the way, lest your accuser might hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.

UST Suppose that someone intends to say to a judge that you did something wrong. You should try to resolve what happened before that person can speak to the judge. That way, the person does not bring you to the judge, who would command one of the officials to put you in jail.

BLB Be agreeing quickly with your accuser while you are on the way with him, lest ever the accuser deliver you to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be cast into prison.

AICNT “Be quick to settle matters with your adversary, while you are still with him on the way, lest your adversary hand you over to the judge, and the judge [[hand you over]][fn] to the officer, and you be thrown into prison;

5:25, hand you over: 𝔓64 ℵ(01) B(03) NA28 SBLGNT THGNT ‖ Some manuscripts include. W(032) BYZ TR

OEB Be ready to make friends with your opponent, even when you meet them on your way to the court; otherwise they might hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the judicial officer, and you will be thrown into prison.

WEBBE Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Reach agreement quickly with your accuser while on the way to court, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison.

LSV Be agreeing with your opponent quickly, while you are in the way with him, that the opponent may not deliver you to the judge, and the judge may deliver you to the officer, and you may be cast into prison;

FBV While you're on the way to court with your opponent, make sure you settle things quickly. Otherwise your opponent might hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the court official, and you will be thrown into jail.

TCNT Make friends with yoʋr adversary quickly while yoʋ are on the way with him, lest yoʋr adversary hand yoʋ over to the judge, and the judge [fn]hand yoʋ over to the guard, and yoʋ be thrown into prison.

5:25 hand yoʋ over ¦ — CT

T4T Also, when a fellow citizen takes you to court in order to accuse you, settle accounts with that person quickly while you are walking with that person to court. Do that while there still is time to do so in order that he will not take you to the judge, because if the judge favors the person who is accusing you, he will declare that you are guilty and send you to the prison guard, and the prison guard will put you in prison.

LEB _⌊Settle the case quickly with your accuser_⌋[fn] while you are with him on the way, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

5:25 Literally “be making friends quickly with your accuser”

BBE Come to an agreement quickly with him who has a cause against you at law, while you are with him on the way, for fear that he may give you up to the judge and the judge may give you to the police and you may be put into prison.

Moff Be quick and make terms with your opponent, so long as you and he are on the way to court, in case he hands you over to the judge, and the judge to the jailer, and you are thrown into prison;

Wymth Come to terms without delay with your opponent while you are yet with him on the way to the court; for fear he should obtain judgement from the magistrate against you, and the magistrate should give you in custody to the officer and you be thrown into prison.

ASV Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

DRA Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

YLT 'Be agreeing with thy opponent quickly, while thou art in the way with him, that the opponent may not deliver thee to the judge, and the judge may deliver thee to the officer, and to prison thou mayest be cast,

Drby Make friends with thine adverse party quickly, whilst thou art in the way with him; lest some time the adverse party deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

RV Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
(Agree with thine/your adversary quickly, whilst/while thou/you art with him in the way; lest happily the adversary deliver thee/you to the judge, and the judge deliver thee/you to the officer, and thou/you be cast into prison. )

SLT Be kindly disposed to thy opponent quickly, while thou art in the way with him, lest thy opponent should deliver thee to the judge, and the judge should deliver thee to the assistant, and thou be cast into prison.

Wbstr Agree with thy adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

KJB-1769 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
( Agree with thine/your adversary quickly, whilst/while thou/you art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee/you to the judge, and the judge deliver thee/you to the officer, and thou/you be cast into prison. )

KJB-1611 Agree with thine aduersarie quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him: least at any time the aduersarie deliuer thee to the iudge, and the iudge deliuer thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
(Agree with thine/your adversary quickly, whilst/while thou/you art in the way with him: least at any time the adversary deliver thee/you to the judge, and the judge deliver thee/you to the officer, and thou/you be cast into prison.)

Bshps Agree with thyne aduersarie quicklye, whyles thou art in the waye with him: lest at any tyme the aduersarie deliuer thee to the iudge, and the iudge deliuer thee to the minister, and then thou be cast into pryson.
(Agree with thine/your adversary quicklye, whyles thou/you art in the way with him: lest at any time the adversary deliver thee/you to the judge, and the judge deliver thee/you to the minister, and then thou/you be cast into prison.)

Gnva Agree with thine aduersarie quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him, lest thine aduersarie deliuer thee to the Iudge, and the Iudge deliuer thee to ye sergeant, and thou be cast into prison.
(Agree with thine/your adversary quickly, whilst/while thou/you art in the way with him, lest thine/your adversary deliver thee/you to the Judge, and the Judge deliver thee/you to ye/you_all sergeant, and thou/you be cast into prison. )

Cvdl Agre with thine aduersary quicklye, whyle thou art in the waye with hym, lest that aduersary deliuer the to the iudge, and the iudge deliuer the to the minister, and then thou be cast in to preson.
(Agre with thine/your adversary quicklye, while thou/you art in the way with him, lest that adversary deliver the to the judge, and the judge deliver the to the minister, and then thou/you be cast in to prison.)

TNT Agre with thyne adversary quicklye, whyles thou arte in the waye with hym lest that adversary deliver ye to the iudge and the iudge, delivre ye to the minister, and the thou be cast into preson.
(Agre with thine/your adversary quicklye, whyles thou/you art in the way with him lest that adversary deliver ye/you_all to the judge and the judge, delivre ye/you_all to the minister, and the thou/you be cast into prison. )

Wycl Be thou consentynge to thin aduersarie soone, while thou art in the weie with hym, lest perauenture thin aduersarie take thee to the domesman, and the domesman take thee to the mynystre, and thou be sent in to prisoun.
(Be thou/you consenting to thin adversary soon, while thou/you art in the way with him, lest peradventure/perhaps thin adversary take thee/you to the judgementsman, and the judgementsman take thee/you to the minister, and thou/you be sent in to prison.)

Luth Sei willfertig deinem Widersacher bald, dieweil du noch bei ihm auf dem Wege bist, auf daß dich der Widersacher nicht dermaleinst überantworte dem Richter, und der Richter überantworte dich dem Diener, und werdest in den Kerker geworfen.
(Be willfertig your adversary bald, meanwhile you(sg) still at/in him on/in/to to_him ways are, on/in/to that you/yourself the/of_the adversary not dermaleinst aboveantworte to_him Richter, and the/of_the Richter aboveantworte you/yourself to_him servant, and become in the Kerker thrown.)

ClVg Esto consentiens adversario tuo cito dum es in via cum eo: ne forte tradat te adversarius judici, et judex tradat te ministro: et in carcerem mittaris.[fn]
(Esto consentiens adversario your quickly while you_are in/into/on way/road when/with by_him: not perhaps to_deliver you(sg) opponent yudici, and the_judge to_deliver you(sg) ministro: and in/into/on prison mittaris. )

5.25 Esto consentiens. Sicut jam præcepit fratri reconciliari et post jubet inimicos diligi, ita hic dum currimus in via hujus sæculi, ad pacem et concordiam hortatur, sicut dicitur: Si fieri potest quod ex vobis est cum omnibus hominibus pacem habentes Rom. 12.. Et pro consentiens ex Græco habetur benignus vel benevolus. Cito, ne differas in crastinum: Dum es in via, dum adhuc licet operari. Si fratrem læsisti, reconciliare ei. Si adversarius exstiterit, esto benevolus, ut fiat amicus. In via cum eo. Sermo divinus, nobiscum est in Christi via. Adversarius nobiscum in via sæculi. Sermo divinus nobis via est qua currimus. Unde: Viam mandatorum tuorum cucurri, cum dilatasti cor meum Psal. 118.. Ne forte tradat. Sic temperavit, ut pœnitentiæ locum non afferret: putaretur enim, quod si obiisset adversarius et non posset ei in via esse benevolus, necessario judici traderetur. Sed et locum pœnitentiæ reliquit, et impœnitentem judici tradidit, dicens: Judex tradat te ministro. Tradat, id est, causa sit cur tradaris in manus Christi, cui Pater omne judicium dedit. Christus ministro, id est angelo, qui colliget zizania.

5.25 Esto consentiens. Like already ordered brother reconciliari and after commands enemies diligi, so/thus this/here while currimus in/into/on way/road of_this of_the_world/of_the_ages, to peace and concordiam encourages, like it_is_said: When/But_if to_be_done can that from to_you(pl) it_is when/with to_all to_humans peace having Rom. 12.. And for consentiens from Græco is_held benignus or benevolus. Cito, not differas in/into/on tomorrowtinum: While you_are in/into/on way/road, while still although to_work. When/But_if brother læsisti, reconciliare to_him. When/But_if opponent exstiterit, be benevolus, as fiat a_friend. In way/road when/with by_him. Sermo divine, with_us it_is in/into/on of_Christ way/road. Adversarius with_us in/into/on way/road of_the_world/of_the_ages. Sermo divine us way/road it_is which currimus. From_where/who: The_way/road of_commands yours cucurri, when/with you_expanded heart meum Psal. 118.. Don't perhaps to_deliver. So temperavit, as of_repentance place not/no afferret: putaretur because, that when/but_if obiisset opponent and not/no could to_him in/into/on way/road to_be benevolus, necessarily yudici would_betrayur. But and place of_repentance left, and impœnitentem yudici he_delivered, saying: Yudex to_deliver you(sg) ministro. Tradat, that it_is, cause be cur tradaris in/into/on hands Christi, to_whom Pater everything judgement he_gave. Christ/Messiah ministro, that it_is messenger/angel, who/which neckget zizania.

UGNT ἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου ταχὺ, ἕως ὅτου εἶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ; μήποτέ σε παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ, καὶ ὁ κριτὴς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ, καὶ εἰς φυλακὴν βληθήσῃ.
(isthi eunoōn tōi antidikōi sou taⱪu, heōs hotou ei met’ autou en taʸ hodōi; maʸpote se paradōi ho antidikos tōi kritaʸ, kai ho kritaʸs tōi hupaʸretaʸ, kai eis fulakaʸn blaʸthaʸsaʸ.)

SBL-GNT ἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου ταχὺ ἕως ὅτου εἶ ⸂μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ⸃, μήποτέ σε παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ, καὶ ὁ ⸀κριτὴς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ, καὶ εἰς φυλακὴν βληθήσῃ·
(isthi eunoōn tōi antidikōi sou taⱪu heōs hotou ei ⸂metʼ autou en taʸ hodōi⸃, maʸpote se paradōi ho antidikos tōi kritaʸ, kai ho ⸀kritaʸs tōi hupaʸretaʸ, kai eis fulakaʸn blaʸthaʸsaʸ;)

RP-GNT Ἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου ταχύ, ἕως ὅτου εἶ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ μετ' αὐτοῦ, μήποτέ σε παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ, καὶ ὁ κριτής σε παραδῷ τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ, καὶ εἰς φυλακὴν βληθήσῃ.
(Isthi eunoōn tōi antidikōi sou taⱪu, heōs hotou ei en taʸ hodōi met' autou, maʸpote se paradōi ho antidikos tōi kritaʸ, kai ho kritaʸs se paradōi tōi hupaʸretaʸ, kai eis fulakaʸn blaʸthaʸsaʸ.)

TC-GNT Ἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου ταχύ, ἕως ὅτου εἶ [fn]ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, μήποτέ σε παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ, καὶ ὁ κριτής [fn]σε παραδῷ τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ, καὶ εἰς φυλακὴν βληθήσῃ.
(Isthi eunoōn tōi antidikōi sou taⱪu, heōs hotou ei en taʸ hodōi meta autou, maʸpote se paradōi ho antidikos tōi kritaʸ, kai ho kritaʸs se paradōi tōi hupaʸretaʸ, kai eis fulakaʸn blaʸthaʸsaʸ. )

5:25 εν τη οδω μετ αυτου ¦ μετ αυτου εν τη οδω CT

5:25 σε παραδω ¦ — CT

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–7:29: Jesus preached a sermon on a mountain

For many years, English versions and Christians have commonly referred to Matthew 5–7 as “The Sermon on the Mount.” In some translations, it may be helpful to include a heading for chapters 5–7 that is on a level above the section heading for 5:1–12.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Sermon on the Mountain

The sermon that Jesus preached on a mountain

Jesus taught people on the side of a mountain/hill

Paragraph 5:25–26

In 5:25–26 in the Greek text, the pronouns for “you” or “your” are all singular. But the teaching applies to all of Jesus’ followers. So in some languages, it is more natural to use the plural form of “you” here.

5:25a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 5:25a–b. Compare the BSB with the NLT and NCV below.

^25aReconcile quickly with your adversary, ^25bwhile you are still on the way to court (BSB)

^25bWhen you are on the way to court ^25awith your adversary, settle your differences quickly. (NLT)

^25bIf your enemy is taking you to court, ^25abecome friends quickly, ^25bbefore you go to court. (NCV)

5:25a

Reconcile quickly with your adversary,

¶ “Settle a dispute quickly with your^(sing) accuser
¶ “If your^(sing) enemy is taking you before the judge, resolve the dispute quickly

Reconcile: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as Reconcile means “settle matters” or “make friends.” A believer who has wronged someone must resolve the problem.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Make friends (RSV)

Settle matters (NIV)

settle the dispute (GNT)

make peace

quickly: The Greek word that the BSB translates as quickly means “at once, without delay.” In this context, it refers to settling matters before court begins.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

while there is time (GNT)

immediately

before you arrive at the court

your adversary: The Greek word that the BSB translates as your adversary refers to the person who is against you. He is the person taking you to court to accuse you before the judge.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

accuser (ESV)

opponent (GW)

enemy (NCV)

the one who has accused you of wrong

5:25b

while you are still on the way to court.

while you^(sing) and he are going to court,
while you^(plur) are still on the way there.

while you are still on the way to court: The Greek text that the BSB translates as while you are still on the way to court is literally “while you are with him on the road.” The BSB has added the words to court. By doing this, the BSB makes it clear that “your adversary” is the one who initiated the court case. Your adversary has accused you of doing something wrong. The two of you are going to court so that the judge can hear your case. This clause does not mean that your enemy is literally carrying or dragging you to court.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

while you are on the way to court with him (GW)

as he is taking you to where the judge is

while there is time, before you get to court (GNT)

5:25c

Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge,

so that he will not bring/give you^(sing) to the judge.
If you^(sing) do not do that, he will deliver you to the judge.

Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Otherwise can also be translated as “so that not” or “lest.”

This clause and 5:25d indicate what will happen if matters are not settled quickly. You may need to translate this clause somewhat differently in order to make it clear. For example:

so that your opponent will not hand you over to the judge

lest, your accuser hand you over to the judge (ESV)

If you do not settle matters quickly, he will hand you over to the judge

hand you over to the judge: The words hand you over refer to putting someone under the power or authority of another. This accuser will bring you before the judge, and the judge will decide how to punish you.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

will deliver/take you to the judge

will give/bring you to the judge

will cause you to appear before the judge

5:25d

and the judge may hand you over to the officer,

And then the judge will bring/give you^(sing) to the court officer
And the judge will deliver you^(sing) to the policeman/guard

and the judge may hand you over to the officer: In the Greek, this phrase is literally “and the judge to the officer.” There is an ellipsis here. The words may hand you over are implied from 5:25c.

officer: The Greek word that the BSB translates as officer refers to a policeman or similar official who fulfills the judge’s orders. He has the authority to put someone in jail or set him free, as the judge tells him to.

Here are some other ways to translate officer:

guard (ESV)

warden (NET)

person in charge of prisoners

5:25e

and you may be thrown into prison.

and then you^(sing) will be put in prison.
who will put you^(sing) in jail.

you may be thrown into prison: The verb be thrown is passive. The guard in 5:25d obeys the order of the judge and puts the believer in prison. Some ways to translate this clause are:

Use a passive verb. For example:
you will be put in jail (GNT)
you will be locked up
Use an active verb. For example:
he will put you in prison
who will put you in jail (CEV)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἴσθι εὐνοῶν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σοῦ ταχύ ἕως ὅτου εἶ μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ μήποτε σέ παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ καί ὁ κριτής τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ καί εἰς φυλακήν βληθήσῃ)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of agreement, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [Agree]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / youcrowd

ἴσθι & σου & εἶ & σε & ὁ & βληθήσῃ

Even though Jesus is speaking to many disciples, he is addressing an individual situation, so you and your are singular throughout this verse. But if the singular form would not be natural in your language for someone who is speaking to a group of people, you could use the plural forms of you and your in your translation.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου & ὁ ἀντίδικος

˱with˲_the opponent ˱to˲_the ˱to˲_the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σοῦ ταχύ ἕως ὅτου εἶ μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ μήποτε σέ παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ καί ὁ κριτής τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ καί εἰς φυλακήν βληθήσῃ)

Here, Jesus is using the possessive form to describe someone who accuses another person (“you”). If this is not clear in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [with the one who is accusing you … the one who is accusing you]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ

˱you˲_are with him on the way

Here, on the way is referring to the time when the person and the person’s accuser are walking to the place where the judge is. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [you are walking with him on the road to the law court]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

αὐτοῦ

him

Although the term him is masculine, Jesus is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: [him or her]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

σε παραδῷ

Here, the phrase hand you over refers to putting someone under the authority and control of another person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable phrase or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [might transfer you] or [might entrust you]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

ὁ κριτὴς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ

the the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σοῦ ταχύ ἕως ὅτου εἶ μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ μήποτε σέ παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ καί ὁ κριτής τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ καί εἰς φυλακήν βληθήσῃ)

Jesus is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from earlier in the sentence if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [the judge might hand you over to the officer]

Note 8 topic: translate-unknown

τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ

˱with˲_the ˱to˲_the ˱to˲_the attendant

Here, the officer is a person who has authority to carry out the decisions of a judge. Usually this involves bringing people to jail if they have been declared guilty by the judge. Alternate translation: [to the one who carries out the judge’s orders]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

εἰς φυλακὴν βληθήσῃ

into (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἴσθι εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σοῦ ταχύ ἕως ὅτου εἶ μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ μήποτε σέ παραδῷ ὁ ἀντίδικος τῷ κριτῇ καί ὁ κριτής τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ καί εἰς φυλακήν βληθήσῃ)

Here, the phrase thrown into prison refers to someone being locked up in prison. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable phrase or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [you will be put into prison] or [you will be locked up in prison]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

βληθήσῃ

˱you˲_˓will_be_being˒_cast

If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [the officer will throw you]

Parallel MAT 5:25