### Description Normally statements are used to give information. But sometimes they are used in the Bible for other functions. ### Reasons this is a translation issue Some languages would not use a statement for some of the functions that statements are used for in the Bible. ### Examples from the Bible #### Statements are normally used to give information. >There was a man who was sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, that all might believe through him. John was not the light, but came that he might testify about the light. (John 1:6-8 ULB) All of the sentences in John 1:6-8 above are statements, and their function is to give information. ####A statement can also be used as a **command** to tell someone what to do. >He commanded them, saying, "This is what you must do. A third of you who come on the Sabbath will keep watch over the king's house, and a third will be at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guardhouse." (2 Kings 11:5-6 ULB) In the examples above, the high priest used a statement with the verb "must" and then statements with the verb "will" to tell people what to do. ####A statement can also be used to give instructions. >She will give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21 ULB) The angel was not simply telling Joseph about something Joseph would do in the future; he was telling Joseph what he needed to do. ####A statement can also be used to make a request. >Behold, a leper came to him and bowed before him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." (Matthew 8:2 ULB) The man with leprosy was not just saying what Jesus was able to do. He was also asking Jesus to heal him. ####A statement can also be used to perform something. >Cursed is the ground because of you. (Genesis 3:17 ULB) By telling Adam that the ground was cursed because of him, God actually cursed it. >Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:5 ULB) By telling a man that his sins were forgiven, Jesus forgave the man's sins. ### Translation Strategies 1. If the function of a statement would not be understood correctly in your language, _use a sentence type_ that would express that function. 1. If the function of a statement would not be understood correctly in your language, _add a sentence type_ that would express that function. 1. If the function of a statement would not be understood correctly in your language, _use a verb form_ that would express that function. ### Examples of Translation Strategies Applied 1. If the function of a statement would not be understood correctly in your language, use a sentence type that would express that function. * **She will give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.** (Matthew 1:21 ULB) The phrase "you will call his name Jesus" is an instruction. It can be translated using the sentence type of a normal instruction. * She will give birth to a son. Name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. 1. If the function of a statement would not be understood correctly in your language, add a sentence type that would express that function. * **Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.** (Matthew 8:2 ULB) The function of "you can make me clean" is to make a request. In addition to the statement, a request can be added. * Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. Please do so. * Lord, if you are willing, please make me clean. I know you can do so. 1. If the function of a statement would not be understood correctly in your language, use a verb form that would express that function. * **She will give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.** (Matthew 1:21 ULB) * She will give birth to a son, and you must call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. * **Son, your sins are forgiven.** (Mark 2:5 ULB) * Son, I forgive your sins. * Son, God has forgiven your sins.