Luke 12:25-27 New English Translation
25 And which of you by worrying[a] can add an hour to his life?[b] 26 So if[c] you cannot do such a very little thing as this, why do you worry about[d] the rest? 27 Consider how the flowers[e] grow; they do not work[f] or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!
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- Luke 12:25 tn Or “by being anxious.”
- Luke 12:25 tn Or “a cubit to his height.” A cubit (πῆχυς, pēchus) can measure length (normally about 45 cm or 18 inches) or time (a small unit, “hour” is usually used [BDAG 812 s.v.] although “day” has been suggested [L&N 67.151]). The term ἡλικία (hēlikia) is ambiguous in the same way as πῆχυς. Most scholars take the term ἡλικία (hēlikia) to describe age or length of life here, although a few refer it to bodily stature (see BDAG 435-36 s.v. 1.a for discussion). Worry about length of life seems a more natural figure than worry about height. However, the point either way is clear: Worrying adds nothing to life span or height.
- Luke 12:26 tn This is a first class condition in the Greek text.
- Luke 12:26 tn Or “why are you anxious for.”
- Luke 12:27 tn Traditionally, “lilies.” According to L&N 3.32, “Though traditionally κρίνον has been regarded as a type of lily, scholars have suggested several other possible types of flowers, including an anemone, a poppy, a gladiolus, and a rather inconspicuous type of daisy.” In view of the uncertainty, the more generic “flowers” has been used in the translation.
- Luke 12:27 tn Traditionally, “toil.” Although it might be argued that “work hard” would be a more precise translation of κοπιάω (kopiaō) here, the line in English scans better in terms of cadence with a single syllable.
New English Translation (NET)
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