VersePhraseExplanation
Mat 17:20nothing will be impossible for youThis can be stated in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "you will be able to do anything"
Mrk 4:22For nothing is hidden that will not be known ... come out into the openThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "For everything that is hidden will be made known, and everything that is secret will come out into to open"
Mrk 8:14no more than one loafThe negative phrase "no more" is used to emphasize how small an amount of bread they had. Alternate Translation: "only one loaf"
Mrk 9:41not loseThis negative sentence emphasizes the positive meaning. In some languages, it is more natural to use a positive statement. Alternate Translation: "definitely receive"
Mrk 12:14you care for no one's opinionThis means that Jesus is not concerned. The negation can modify the verb instead. Alternate Translation: "you do not care about people's opinions" or "you are not concerned with earning people's favor"
Mrk 12:34You are not far from the kingdom of GodThis can be stated in positive form. Here Jesus speaks of the man being ready to submit to God as king as being physically close to the kingdom of God, as if it where a physical place. Alternate Translation: "You are close to submitting to God as king"
Mrk 12:34no one daredThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "everyone was afraid"
Luk 1:33there will be no end to his kingdomThe negative phrase "no end" emphasizes that it continues forever. It could also be stated with a positive phrase. Alternate Translation: "his kingdom will never end"
Luk 11:42without failing to do the other things alsowithout failing emphasizes that this should always be done. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "and to always do the other good things as well"
Jhn 1:47in whom is no deceitThis can be stated in a positive way. Alternate Translation: "a completely truthful man"
Jhn 6:37he who comes to me I will certainly not throw outThis sentence states the opposite of what it means for emphasis. Alternate Translation: "I will keep everyone who comes to me"
Jhn 6:39I would lose not one of all thoseHere litotes is used to emphasize that Jesus will keep everyone that God gives to him. Alternate Translation: "I should keep all of them"
Act 7:60do not hold this sin against themThis can be stated in a positive way. Alternate Translation: "forgive them for this sin"
Act 12:18there was no small disturbance among the soldiers over what had happened to PeterThis phrase is used to emphasize what really happened. This could be said in a positive way. Alternate Translation: "there was a great disturbance among the soldiers over what had happened to Peter"
Act 14:17he did not leave himself without witnessThis could also be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "God has certainly left a witness" or "God has indeed testified"
Act 15:38Paul thought it was not good to take MarkThe words "not good" are used to say the opposite of good. Alternate Translation: "Paul thought that taking Mark would be bad"
Act 17:4not a few of the leading womenThis is an understatement to emphasize that many leading women joined them. Alternate Translation: "many leading women"
Act 17:27Yet he is not far from each one of usThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "Yet he is very near to everyone of us"
Act 19:35who does not knowThe town clerk uses "not" to emphasize that all of the people knew this.
Act 20:27For I did not hold back from declaring to youFor I did not keep silent and not tell you. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "For I certainly declared to you"
Act 25:24he should no longer liveThis statement is made in the negative to emphasize the positive equivalent. Alternate Translation: "he should die immediately"
Act 28:2not just ordinary kindnessThis phrase is used to emphasize the opposite of what is said. Alternate Translation: "a great deal of kindness"
Rom 1:16I am not ashamed of the gospelYou can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "I trust completely in the gospel"
Rom 2:11For there is no favoritism with GodYou can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "For God treats all people the same"
Rom 4:19Without becoming weak in faith,You can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "He remained strong in his faith, although"
Rom 13:4he does not carry the sword for no reasonYou can translate this in a positive form. Alternate Translation: "he carries the sword for a very good reason" or "he has the power to punish people, and he will punish people"
1Co 1:7you lack no spiritual giftThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "you have every spiritual gift"
1Co 10:5not well pleaseddispleased or "angry"
1Co 15:10his grace in me was not in vainPaul is emphasizing through litotes that God worked through Paul. Alternate Translation: "because he was kind to me, I was able to do much good work"
2Co 1:8we do not want you to be uninformedThis can be stated in positive terms. Alternate Translation: "we want you to know"
2Co 2:11For we are not ignorant of his plansPaul uses a negative expression to emphasize the opposite. Alternate Translation: "For we know his plans well"
2Co 11:6I am not untrained in knowledgeThis negative phrase emphasizes the positive truth that he is trained in knowledge. The abstract noun "knowledge" can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate Translation: "I am certainly trained in knowledge" or "I am trained to know what they know"
2Co 11:14this is no surprise ... It is no great surprise ifBy stating this in a negative form Paul is emphasizing that the Corinthians should expect to meet many "false apostles" ([2 Corinthians 11:13](./12.md)). Alternate Translation: "we should expect this ... We should certainly expect that"
2Co 11:15this is no surprise ... It is no great surprise ifBy stating this in a negative form Paul is emphasizing that the Corinthians should expect to meet many "false apostles" ([2 Corinthians 11:13](./12.md)). Alternate Translation: "we should expect this ... We should certainly expect that"
2Co 11:31I am not lyingPaul is using litotes to emphasize that he is telling the truth. Alternate Translation: "I am telling the absolute truth"
2Co 12:11For I was not at all inferior toBy using the negative form, Paul is saying strongly that those Corinthians who think that he is inferior are wrong. Alternate Translation: "For I am just as good as"
2Co 13:7that you may not do any wrongthat you will not sin at all or "that you will not refuse to listen to us when we correct you." Paul is emphasizing the opposite with his statement. Alternate Translation: "that you will do everything right"
Gal 1:20In what I write to you, I assure you before God, that I am not lyingPaul uses litotes to emphasize that he is telling the truth. Alternate Translation: "I am not lying to you in the messages I write to you" or "in the things I write to you I am telling you the truth"
Gal 2:21I do not set asidePaul states a negative to emphasize the positive. Alternate Translation: "I confirm the value of"
Eph 1:16I have not stopped thanking GodPaul uses "not stopped" to emphasize that he continues to thank God. Alternate Translation: "I continue to thank God"
Heb 12:5do not think lightly of the Lord's discipline, nor grow wearyThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "take it very seriously when the Lord disciplines you, and do not grow weary"
Heb 13:2Do not forgetThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "Be sure to remember"
Heb 13:16Let us not forget doing good and helping one anotherThis can be stated in positive form. Alternate Translation: "Let us always remember to do good and help others"