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Jesus said to his disciples, “It is extremely hard…a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
This is a direct quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation: “Jesus told his disciples that it is extremely hard for rich people to enter into the kingdom of God! Yes, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations)
It is extremely hard for rich people to enter into the kingdom of God!
This is a strong statement that it is extremely hard for rich people to be saved. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations)
to enter into the kingdom of God
This can also be translated as, “to become a citizen in God’s kingdom.”
it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God
This is an exaggerated statement in order to emphasize the difficulty of a rich person being saved. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole)
a camel
Camels are very large animals that are often used to carry heavy loads. If camels are not known in your language area, a phrase such as, “a very large animal” or, “a beast of burden” could be used. If you choose to substitute the name of some other large animal, make sure that the animal would have been known by the people Jesus was talking to, such as, “an ox” or, “a donkey.”
the eye of a needle
This refers to the tiny hole in the end of a sewing needle. The idea of something as large as a camel going through the eye of a needle is intended to represent something that is impossible.