13:12a
The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near: The semi-colon (;) indicates that there is a connection between the two parts of this saying but does not say what that connection is. Here “and” is implied. For example:
The night is almost gone, and the day is near (New American Standard Bible)
The night is nearly over: The night is a metaphor for the present evil age in which we live. That it is nearly over means that it is coming to an end. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
The night is far gone (English Standard Version)
-or-
The night has almost ended
In some languages a literal translation would refer only to actual night or would not imply a time of evil. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
This indicates that the time of evil will soon end.
• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:
The night, ⌊that is, this time of evil,⌋ is nearly over
the day has drawn near: The phrase the day is a metaphor for the blessed time that begins after Jesus returns. That it is near means that it will soon happen. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
the day is almost here (New International Version)
-or-
the day has almost begun
In some languages a literal translation would refer only to actual day or would not imply a time of special goodness. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
This indicates that the time of blessedness/goodness will soon begin.
• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:
The day, ⌊that is, the time of blessedness/goodness,⌋ is nearly here
13:12b
So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness: The phrase the deeds of darkness refers to deeds that are consistent with darkness. The phrase lay aside indicates that we must stop doing them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
let us cast off the works of darkness (English Standard Version)
-or-
we should get rid of the things that belong to the dark (God’s Word)
In some languages a literal translation would refer only to anything done in the dark. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
This indicates that we must stop doing evil deeds.
• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:
let us cast off the works of darkness ⌊that is, evil deeds⌋
deeds: This word refers to deeds, not to something related to work. See the above examples.
13:12c
put on the armor of light: The words “let us” are implied from 13:12b. This clause is a figure of speech that indicates that believers must use the things of God that help us in our struggles with evil.
In some languages a literal translation would refer only to actual armor. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
This indicates that we must use the things that God gives to us to fight spiritual battles.
• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:
let us put on the armor of light ⌊that is, things that God gives us to fight our spiritual battles⌋
-or-
let us put on the armor of light ⌊that is, things that God gives us to strengthen our lives⌋
armor: The Greek is more literally “weapons.” For example:
the things of fighting/war
light: Paul used this word as an opposite to the word “darkness” in 13:12b. Here it implies good things, things that God gives us. See examples in the note on “put on the armor of light” above.
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