# It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble
You may need to make explicit that Jesus is comparing the punishment for causing people to sin to being thrown into the sea. Alternate translation: "It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than that he should suffer the more severe punishment for causing one of these little ones to stumble" or "He would suffer less if a millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than if he should cause one of these little ones to stumble" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
This was a terrible punishment. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "if they were to put a millstone around his neck and throw him into the sea" or "if someone were to put a heavy stone around his neck and push him into the sea" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
The words "him," "his," and "he" refer to "that person" through whom things that cause people to sin come. (See [Luke 17:1](../17/01.md)). They refer to anyone who causes people to sin, to women as well as to men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])