20:15a

And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life: The verbs found and written are both passive. Some ways to translate them are:

• Use a passive clause or clauses. For example:

If anyone’s name was not found/seen written in the Book of Life
-or-
any whose names were not to be found in the Book of Life (Revised English Bible)

• Use an active clause or clauses. God or someone on his behalf looked in the Book of Life. For example:

If ⌊God⌋ did not find/see someone’s name in the Book of Life
-or-
If ⌊God⌋ saw that he had not written someone’s name in the Book of Life

• Translate the meaning only implying “find” and “write.” For example:

If someone’s name was not in the Book of Life

whose name was not written in the Book of Life: The phrase not written indicates that the name did not exist in the Book of Life.

20:15b

he was thrown into the lake of fire: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊the angels⌋ threw him into the lake of fire
-or-

⌊someone/God⌋ threw/sent him into the burning lake
-or-

⌊someone,⌋ threw/sent him into the burning lake ⌊at God’s command⌋

Use the same person or persons here as you did in 20:14.

thrown into the lake of fire: This phrase indicates that the person received the punishment of suffering in the lake of fire at this time.

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