Suggested Translations for Idioms

The OEB Translation Guidelines suggests that OEB translators "should walk a midline between translating Greek/Hebrew idioms into contemporary idioms or translating more literally, but prefer something which will communicate the meaning to someone who doesn’t already know the passage’s meaning. Don’t be too current or trendy. The REB/NRSV is the aim not either Young’s Literal or The Message, and prefer the REB to the NRSV."

Common Idiom in English	Suggested alternatives	Comments
give ear	listen, attend, hear	Especially in poetry, constructions such as 'incline your ear' or 'bend your ear' may be acceptable, but 'give ear' is likely a bridge too far