12:12a
Therefore: This conjunction introduces what should be done based on the fact that Michael and his angels threw the dragon and his angels down (12:9–10). Other ways to translate this word are:
For this reason, (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Because of that,
rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!: The direct address is after the command. In some languages it is more natural to have the direct address first. For example:
you heavens and you who dwell in them, rejoice!
rejoice: This word is a command. In some languages it is not natural to command people to rejoice. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Change the command to an exhortation. For example:
you heavens and you who dwell in them, let us rejoice
• Change the command to a time clause. For example:
you heavens and you who dwell in them, now is the time to rejoice
• Use the verb “celebrate” (or similar verb) to indicate rejoicing indirectly. For example:
you heavens and you who dwell in them, celebrate
O heavens, and you who dwell in them!: The loud voice speaks to the heavens as though they were people. The phrase you who dwell in them refers to the angels who live with God in heaven.
In some languages it is not natural to speak directly to the heavens. If that is true in your language, you may want to refer to the angels and other beings in the heavens. For example:
everyone ⌊and everything⌋ in the heavens
-or-
all who dwell in heaven
heavens: At that time many people thought that heaven had several layers. Each layer was a different “heaven.” But in the New Testament the plural heavens has the same meaning as the singular “heaven.” In some languages the singular “heaven” is more natural. See the above example.
12:12b
But: The Greek does not have a conjunction here. However, many English versions add But to indicate the contrast between 12:12a and 12:12b.
woe to the earth and the sea: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as woe here means “There will be trouble for (someone).” The word indicates sorrow about the troubles. The speaker was saying that the earth and the sea are to be pitied, for they will soon have great trouble. Other ways to translate this clause are:
how terrible for the earth and the sea (Good News Translation)
-or-
alas for the earth and the sea (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
⌊great⌋ trouble ⌊comes⌋ to the earth and the sea
the earth and the sea: This phrase refers to the whole world and implies all the creatures that live there.
sea: The word sea refers to a large body of water. A sea is often so large that someone standing on one side cannot see the other side. The word sea is symbolic, so you should not name a particular sea. See how you translated this word in 5:13 or 10:2.
12:12c
The Greek wording of 12:12c begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “because” or “for.” It introduces the reason for the warning to the earth and the sea. For example:
because (New International Version)
Some English versions, like the Berean Standard Bible, do not translate this conjunction, but leave the connection with 12:12b implicit.
with great fury: This clause indicates that the devil is very angry. Other ways to translate this clause are:
He is filled with anger (New Century Version)
-or-
he is very angry (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He is furious
12:12d
the devil has come down to you: This clause indicates that the devil left heaven and went to the earth.
you: Here the pronoun you refers to the earth and the sea (12:12b). In some languages it is more natural to use the pronoun “them.”
12:12e
knowing he has only a short time: The devil knew that he only had a short time left to accomplish his purposes. Other ways to translate this clause are:
knowing that he has little time left (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
he knows that he does not have much time ⌊to do what he wanted to do⌋
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