1:77

This verse tells the means by which John will prepare the people for the Lord. In some languages you may need to make this connection more explicit. For example:

⌊You will prepare his people for him by⌋ giving them the knowledge of salvation

In other languages you may leave this connection implied and choose whether to begin a new sentence here. For example:

You will give them the knowledge of salvation
-or-
giving his people the knowledge of salvation

to give to His people the knowledge of salvation: The expression to give to His people the knowledge of salvation implies two things:

(a) John would tell the people about God coming to save his people through the Christ.

(b) John would lead the people to experience God saving them.

Some English versions translate only the idea of (a). However, it is good to translate in a way that implies both (a) and (b). For example:

⌊You will do this⌋ by leading his people to know/experience salvation.
-or-

⌊You will tell⌋ his people about salvation and help them be saved.

See save in the Glossary (see the note on salvation).

salvation through the forgiveness of their sins: The phrase through the forgiveness of their sins expresses the way in which God would save his people from judgment and punishment. He would save them by forgiving them for their sins.

forgiveness of their sins: In this context the phrase forgiveness of their sins refers to God choosing not to punish people for the evil/wrong things that they have done and thought. God cancels their guilt and treats them as though they had never offended him.

Some ways to translate forgiveness of their sins are:

release from their sins
-or-
taking away their sins
-or-
canceling their sins/guilt

In some languages it may be necessary to translate the noun forgiveness with a verb. Some ways to do this are:

pardon their sins
-or-
cancel their sins

In many languages there may be an idiom for this. For example:

erase their sins/guilt
-or-
wiping away their sins

In some languages it is more natural to say “forgive people,” rather than to “forgive sins.” For example:

forgive ⌊people⌋ for their sins

See forgive in Key Biblical Terms.

sins: The word sins refers to offenses against God or another person. These sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves. A person can also offend God by not doing what God wants him to do.

Try to translate sins with a general term that can include any wrongdoing against God. Here are problems to avoid:

(a) The term should not imply that only serious crimes such as murder or stealing are sins. Other offenses such as gossip and greed are also sins.

(b) The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.

Some ways to translate sins are:

wrong acts
-or-
offenses ⌊against God⌋
-or-
evil deeds

In some languages it may be natural to translate sins with a phrase that includes a verb. For example:

wrong things that they have done

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