Paragraph 11:7–10

11:7a

(New International Version) Now: In the New International Version, the word Now introduces the next event, but it does not refer to our present time. The Berean Standard Bible and some other English translations omit this word. For example:

When (Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation)

testimony: The word testimony means “the words spoken about what one saw or heard.” The word testimony is often used when the person speaking is expected to be truthful and accurate (as in a court of law). Other ways to translate this word are:

witnessing (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
message that God told them ⌊to say⌋

Some languages translate this word using a verb. For example:

the truth/message revealed to them
-or-
proclaiming God’s message

See how you translated this word in 6:9. But, in particular, it refers to the words that God had given them to say, which John called prophesying in 11:3, 6. Your translation should at least imply that.

11:7b

beast: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beast refers to any animal, often a wild animal. The Berean Standard Bible uses the word beast to imply that this being is fierce, dangerous, or evil. Here the word refers to Satan or one of his servants, because they are fierce, dangerous, and evil.

In some languages a literal translation would not clearly indicate the symbolic meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a word that clearly refers to an evil creature or being. For example:

monster

• Explain the symbol in a footnote. For example:

The word “beast” refers to the devil or one of his servants. They are fierce, dangerous, and evil like wild beasts.

• Use the general word “animal” and explain that it is fierce, dangerous, or evil. For example:

⌊fierce/terrible⌋ animal

Abyss: The word Abyss refers to a very deep pit or chasm. The Greek word also refers to an underground place where the spirits of dead people and demons lived. It likely has that meaning here. Other ways to translate this word are:

bottomless pit (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
hole deep beyond measure
-or-
cave/cavern leading to the place of the dead

See how you translated this word in 9:1.

11:7c

overpower: This word indicates that the beast was successful in his attack against the two witnesses. For example:

defeat (Good News Translation)

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