19:5a

a voice came from the throne: John does not say who spoke here, but it does not refer to God (19:5b). Translate this phrase so that it refers to someone other than God. For example:

speech from the throne
-or-

⌊someone⌋ said from the throne ⌊on God’s behalf⌋

19:5b

Praise our God, all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike!: The voice addresses all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike. This address comes after the command. In some languages it is more natural to have the address first. For example:

All you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great, praise our God!

all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike: These words refer to believers. The words describe them in three ways:

(a) They are his servants.

(b) They fear him.

(c) Some of them have low status, and some of them have high status.

Translate in a way that all three descriptions apply to believers. Other ways to translate these words are:

all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
all who serve and fear him, no matter who you are (God’s Word)
-or-
all you his servants, indeed all who fear him, both lowly and great

those who fear Him: Here the word fear means “respect” or “revere.” People who fear God think about him in awe. They also realize he is all-powerful and can do as he chooses, so they respect him. This is not the type of fear that means “afraid” or “frightened.”

In some languages the word fear only means “be afraid.” If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Include the implied meaning of “respect” or “revere” in your translation. For example:

Fear ⌊and respect/revere⌋ God

• Translate the meaning of fear as “respect” or “revere.” For example:

have reverence for (Good News Translation)
-or-
honor (New Century Version)
-or-
respect

small and great alike: This phrase refers to believers of low status and believers of high status. It implies people of all classes and position in society. The phrase does not refer to physical size. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

humble and great alike
-or-
both of high and lowly position/place

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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