# A stone of stumbling and a rock that makes them fall

These two phrases share similar meanings. Together they emphasize that people will take offense at this "stone," which refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: "a stone or a rock over which people will stumble" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# stumble because they disobey the word

Here "the word" refers to the gospel message. To disobey means to not believe. Alternate translation: "stumble because they do not believe the message about Jesus"

# which is what they were appointed to do

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for which God also appointed them" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive]])