Read the passage over several times, looking for the main
meaning.
Read the passage over carefully, looking for the meaning of
each clause and sentence. Then look for the relationships
between the clauses and the sentences.
Read the chapter(s) in which the passage is found, looking for
the main idea. Try to discover the main line of reasoning
or flow of the story. Answer the question, what does this
have to do with my passage. Is my passage saying the same
thing as the main idea of the chapter or something
different?
Read the passage in several translations from different types
of translation. Read at least one translation from each of
the following groupings: literal, idiomatic, dynamic,
paraphrase. Recommended study translations include the ASV,
NASV, RSV, NRSV, NIV, NEB, NAB, and JB. Compare these to
the KJV and NKJV.
Look for any difference in main meaning between the different
translations. Determine if this meaning is due to textual
differences (did you note this in an earlier paper?) or
translation differences. Add any difference to problems to
solve from your last paper if it was not included.
Look for any difference in meaning between the words used in
different translations. Ask the same questions as in #5
above.
Read the passage either in the original language (if you are
able to do so) or in an interlinear (if not). Make a
literal translation from this. Note any differences between
this highly literal translation and standard translations.
Are there idioms that explain any differences?
Write out your own translation based on your study to this
point. Make any notes of alternative readings or
translations that you need to remember. Be ready to revise
this translation at any future point in the exegetical
process.
Write up the results of your study in reading and
translations.
