that unless your righteousness exceeds ... Pharisees, you will in no way enter
This can be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "that your righteousness must exceed ... Pharisees in order to enter"
Mat 10:29
not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge
This can be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "your Father knows when even one sparrow dies and falls to the ground"
Mat 12:24
This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul
This can be stated in a positive form. "This man is only able to cast out the demon because he is a servant of Beelzebul"
Mat 13:34
he said nothing to them without a parable
he taught them nothing except by parables. The double negative can be expressed in a positive way. Alternate Translation: "everything he taught them he said in parables"
Mat 13:57
A prophet is not without honor
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "A prophet receives honor everywhere" or "People everywhere honor a prophet"
Mat 18:3
unless you turn ... children, you will in no way enter
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "you must change ... children in order to enter"
Mat 23:23
and not to have left the other undone
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "while also obeying the less important laws"
Mat 24:22
Unless those days are shortened, no flesh would be saved
This can be stated in positive and active form. Alternate Translation: "If God does not shorten the time of suffering, everyone will die"
Mrk 6:4
A prophet is not without honor, except
This sentence uses a double negative to create emphasis of the positive equivalent. Alternate Translation: "A prophet is always honored, except" or "The only place a prophet is not honored is"
Mrk 9:29
This kind cannot be cast out except by prayer
The words "cannot" and "except" are both negative words. In some languages it is more natural to use a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "This kind can be cast out only by prayer"
Mrk 10:14
do not forbid
This is a double negative. In some languages it is more natural to use a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "allow"
Mrk 10:29
there is no one who has left ... who will not receive
This can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "Everyone who has left ... will receive"
Mrk 10:30
there is no one who has left ... who will not receive
This can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "Everyone who has left ... will receive"
Luk 1:37
nothing will be impossible for God
Elizabeth's pregnancy was proof that God was able to do anything—even enable Mary to become pregnant without her sleeping with a man. The double negatives in this statement can be stated with positive terms. Alternate Translation: "God can do anything"
Luk 7:6
not far from the house
The double negative can be replaced. Alternate Translation: "near the house"
Luk 7:23
not stop believing in me because of
This double negative means "continues to believe in me despite"
Luk 8:17
nothing is hidden that will not be made known
This double negative can be written as a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "everything that is hidden will be made known"
Luk 8:17
nor is anything secret that will not be known and come into the light
This double negative can be written as a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "and everything that is secret will be made known and will come into the light"
Luk 14:27
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple
This could be stated with positive verbs. Alternate Translation: "If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must carry his own cross and follow me"
Luk 14:33
any one of you who does not give up all that he has cannot be my disciple
This can be stated with positive verbs. Alternate Translation: "only those of you who give up all that you have can be my disciples"
Luk 18:29
there is no one who has left ... who will not receive
This could be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "everyone who has left ... will receive"
Luk 18:30
there is no one who has left ... who will not receive
This could be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "everyone who has left ... will receive"
Jhn 4:48
Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe
Unless ... not believe here is a double negative. In some languages it is more natural to translate this statement in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "Only if you see a miracle will you believe"
Jhn 5:24
will not be condemned
This can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "will be judged to be innocent"
Jhn 9:33
If this man were not from God, he could do nothing
This sentence uses a double negative pattern. "Only a man from God could do something like that!"
Jhn 10:10
does not come if he would not steal
This is a double negative. In some languages it is more natural to use a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "comes only to steal"
Jhn 13:8
If I do not wash you, you have no share with me
Here Jesus states two negatives to convince Peter to allow him to wash his feet. Jesus implies that Peter must let him wash his feet if he wants to continue being a disciple. Alternate Translation: "If I wash you, you will always belong with me"
Jhn 15:24
If I had not done the works that no one else did among them, they would have no sin, but
You can translate this double negative in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "Because I have done among them the works that no one else did, they have had sin, and"
Jhn 16:7
if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you
You can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "the Comforter will come to you only if I go away"
Jhn 18:30
If this man was not an evildoer, we would not have given him over to you
You can translate this double negative in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "This man is an evil doer, and we had to bring him to you for punishment"
Jhn 19:11
You do not have any power over me except for what has been given to you from above
You can translate this double negative in a positive and active form. Alternate Translation: "You are able to act against me only because God has made you able"
Jhn 20:25
Unless I see ... his side, I will not believe
You can translate this double negative in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "I will believe only if I see ... his side"
Jhn 20:27
Do not be unbelieving, but believe
Jesus uses the double negative "Do not be unbelieving" to emphasize the words that follow, "but believe." If your language does not allow double negatives or the reader would not understand that Jesus is emphasizing the words that follow, you can leave these words untranslated. Alternate Translation: "This is what is most important for you to do: you must believe"
Act 25:27
it seems unreasonable for me to send a prisoner and to not also state
The negative words "unreasonable" and "to not" can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "it seems reasonable to me that if I send a prisoner then I should also state"
Act 26:19
I did not disobey
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I obeyed"
Act 26:25
I am not insane ... but
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "I am sane ... and" or "I am able to think well ... and"
Act 27:31
Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved
The negative words "Unless" and "cannot" can be stated in positive form. The passive phrase "be saved" can be stated in active form. Alternate Translation: "These men must stay in the ship in order for you to survive"
Act 28:6
nothing was unusual with him
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "everything about him was as it should be"
Rom 1:13
I do not want you to be uninformed
Paul is emphasizing that he wanted them to have this information. You can translate this double negative in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "I want you to know"
Rom 4:20
did not hesitate in unbelief
You can translate this double negative in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "kept on acting in faith"
Rom 11:23
if they do not continue in their unbelief
The phrase "do not continue in their unbelief" is a double negative. You can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "if the Jews start believing in Christ"
Rom 11:25
I do not want you to be uninformed
Here Paul uses a double negative. You can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "I very much want you to be aware"
Rom 13:8
Owe no one anything, except to love one another
This is a double negative. You can translate it in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "Pay all you owe to everyone, and love one another"
Rom 14:14
nothing is unclean by itself
You can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "everything by itself is clean"
Rom 15:18
For I will not dare to speak of anything ... These are things done by word and action, by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Holy Spirit
You can translate this double negative in a positive form. Here "these are things" refers to what Christ has accomplished through Paul. Alternate Translation: "For the sake of the obedience of the Gentiles, I will only speak of what Christ has accomplished through me in my words and actions and by the power of signs and wonders through the power of the Holy Spirit"
Rom 15:19
For I will not dare to speak of anything ... These are things done by word and action, by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Holy Spirit
You can translate this double negative in a positive form. Here "these are things" refers to what Christ has accomplished through Paul. Alternate Translation: "For the sake of the obedience of the Gentiles, I will only speak of what Christ has accomplished through me in my words and actions and by the power of signs and wonders through the power of the Holy Spirit"
1Co 2:11
no one knows the deep things of God except the Spirit of God
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "only the Spirit of God knows the deep things of God"
1Co 8:8
We are not worse if we do not eat, nor better if we do eat it
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "Some people might think that if we do not eat some things, God will love us less. But they are wrong. Those who think that God will love us more if we do eat those things are also wrong"
1Co 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to all humanity
This can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "The temptations that affect you are temptations that all people experience"
1Co 11:11
the woman is not independent from the man, nor is the man independent from the woman
This can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "the woman depends on the man, and the man depends on the woman"
1Co 12:1
I do not want you to be uninformed
This can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "I want you to know"
1Co 13:6
It does not rejoice in unrighteousness. Instead, it rejoices in the truth
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "It rejoices only in righteousness and truth"
1Co 14:10
none is without meaning
This can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "they all have meaning"
1Co 14:22
not for unbelievers, but for believers
This can be expressed positively and combined with the other positive statement. Alternate Translation: "only for believers"
2Co 1:13
We write to you nothing that you cannot read and understand
This can be stated in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "You can read and understand everything we write to you"
2Co 4:2
we do not mishandle the word of God
Word of God here is a metonym for the message from God. This phrase uses two negative thoughts to express a positive thought. Alternate Translation: "we do not mishandle God's message" or "we use the word of God correctly"
2Co 4:16
So we do not become discouraged
This can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "So we remain confident"
2Co 6:1
we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain
Paul pleads with them to allow the grace of God to be effective in their lives. This can be stated in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "we beg you to make use of the grace that you have received from God"
2Co 6:14
Do not be tied together with unbelievers
This can be stated in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "Only be tied together with believers"
2Co 6:17
Touch no unclean thing
This can be stated in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "Touch only things that are clean"
2Co 8:15
did not have any lack
This can be stated positively. Alternate Translation: "had all he needed"
Gal 1:19
I saw none of the other apostles except James
This double negative emphasizes that James was the only apostle whom Paul saw. Alternate Translation: "the only other apostle I saw was James"
Gal 2:1
I was not running—or had not run—in vain
Paul uses running as a metaphor for work, and he uses a double negative to emphasize that the work he had done was profitable. Alternate Translation: "I was doing, or had done, profitable work"
Gal 2:2
I was not running—or had not run—in vain
Paul uses running as a metaphor for work, and he uses a double negative to emphasize that the work he had done was profitable. Alternate Translation: "I was doing, or had done, profitable work"
Eph 5:15
Look carefully how you live—not as unwise but as wise
Unwise people do not guard themselves against sin. Wise people, however, can identify sin and flee from it. Alternate Translation: "Therefore you must be careful to live as a wise person rather than a foolish person"
Php 4:15
no church supported me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone
This can be stated in the positive. Alternate Translation: "you were the only church that sent me money or helped me"
1Th 2:1
was not useless
This can be expressed in a positive manner. Alternate Translation: "was very worthwhile"
1Th 4:7
God did not call us to uncleanness, but to holiness
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "God called us to cleanness and holiness"
2Th 3:7
We did not live among you as those who had no discipline
Paul uses a double negative to emphasize the positive. This can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "We lived among you as those who had much discipline"
2Th 3:9
We did this not because we have no authority. Instead, we did
Paul uses a double negative to emphasize the positive. This can be stated as a positive. Alternate Translation: "We certainly have the right to receive food from you, but instead we worked for our food"
2Th 3:10
The one who is unwilling to work must not eat
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "If a person wants to eat, he must work"
Tit 3:14
needs, and so not be unfruitful
Paul speaks of people doing good work as if they were trees bearing good fruit. This double negative means they should be fruitful or productive. Alternate Translation: "needs; in this way they will be fruitful" or "needs, and so they will do good works"
Phm 1:14
But I did not want to do anything without your consent
Paul states a double negative to mean the opposite. Alternate Translation: "But I wanted to keep him with me only if you approved"
Heb 2:8
He did not leave anything not subjected to him
This double negative means that all things will be subject to Christ. Alternate Translation: "God made everything subject to them"
Heb 2:11
is not ashamed to call them brothers
This double negative means that he will claim them as his brothers. Alternate Translation: "is pleased to call them his brothers"
Heb 4:2
But that message did not benefit those who did not unite in faith with those who obeyed
But that message did not benefit those who did not join with the people who believed and obeyed. The author is talking about two groups of people, those who received God's covenant with faith, and those who heard it but did not believe. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "But that message benefited only those who believed and obeyed it"
Heb 4:15
we do not have a high priest who cannot feel sympathy ... Instead, we have
This double negative means that, in fact, Jesus does feel sympathy with people. Alternate Translation: "we have a high priest who can feel sympathy ... Indeed, we have"
Heb 6:10
For God is not so unjust that he would forget
This double negative can mean that God in his justice will remember what good things his people have done. Alternate Translation: "For God is just and therefore will certainly remember"
Heb 9:7
not without blood
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "he always brought blood"
Heb 11:6
without faith it is impossible to please him
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "a person can please God only if he has faith in God"
Heb 12:14
also the holiness without which no one will see the Lord
This can be expressed as a positive encouragement. Alternate Translation: "also work hard to be holy, because only holy people will see the Lord"
Heb 12:25
you do not refuse the one who is speaking
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "you pay attention to the one who is speaking"
Jas 1:6
in faith, doubting nothing
This can be stated in the positive. Alternate Translation: "with complete certainty that God will answer"
2Pe 2:3
their condemnation has not been idle, and their destruction is not asleep
You can translate these phrases with verbs in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "God will soon condemn them; he is ready to destroy them"
1Jn 3:10
Whoever does not do what is righteous is not from God, neither is the one who does not love his brother
The words "from God" are understood in the second part of the sentence. This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "whoever does not do what is righteous is not from God; whoever does not love his brother is also not from God" or "those who do what is righteous are from God, and those who love their brothers are from God"
1Jn 4:20
the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen
If two negative statements in a row are confusing, this can be translated differently. Alternate Translation: "the one who hates his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen"
Rev 21:27
nothing unclean will ever enter into it, nor anyone
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "only what is clean will ever enter, and never anyone"