1.8 KiB
the poor brother
"the believer who does not have much money"
boast of his high position
Someone whom God has honored is spoken of as if he were standing in a high place. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
but the rich man of his low position
The words "let boast" are understood from the previous phrase. AT: "but let the rich man boast of his low position" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis)
but the rich man
"but the man who has a lot of money." Possible meanings are 1) the rich man is a believer or 2) the rich man is an unbeliever.
of his low position
A rich believer should be happy if God causes him to suffer. AT: "should be happy that God has given him difficulties" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis)
he will pass away as a wild flower in the grass
Rich people are spoken of as being similar to wild flowers, which are alive for only a short time. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile)
its beauty perishes
A flower no longer being beautiful is spoken of as if its beauty dies. AT: "and it is no longer beautiful" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
the rich man will fade away in the middle of his journey
Here the flower simile is probably continued. As flowers do not die suddenly but instead fade away over a short time, so also the rich people may not die suddenly but instead take a little time to disappear. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile)
in the middle of his journey
A rich man's activities in daily life are spoken of as if they are a journey that he is making. This metaphor implies that he is giving no thought to his coming death, and that it will takes him by surprise. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)