SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2018 – Page 12

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2:2

2:2

Peter used the desire that newborn babies have for their mothers’ milk as an illustration. He told the believers to desire God’s word in the same way that babies desire their mothers’ milk. In this way they would continue to grow strong as Christians until they experienced the final salvation God had for them.

2:2a

Like newborn babies: This is a simile. Peter was saying that his readers should have a strong desire for God’s word, just as babies have a strong desire for their mother’s milk.

newborn babies: This is the only place in the New Testament where the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as newborn is used. Its use here probably implies that the babies in Peter’s illustration had no other food and wanted no other food. Those who are newborn babies are completely dependent on their mothers’ milk.

babies: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as babies refers to very small children. Several English versions translate it as “infants.” For example, the NET Bible says:

yearn like newborn infants for… (NET Bible)

If your language has a word or expression referring to babies in the first few weeks of their life, you may be able to use it here. In that case it may not be necessary to translate newborn separately and explicitly.

crave pure spiritual milk: The phrase crave pure spiritual milk describes how Peter wanted his readers to be like newborn babies. The pure spiritual milk is a metaphor for God’s word. Peter wanted them to crave it.

crave: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crave is a command meaning “desire.” Other ways to translate this include:

Be…thirsty for (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
long for (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
yearn…for (NET Bible)

The Greek text has a definite article that is not explicit in the Berean Standard Bible. Many English versions do make it explicit. For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

long for the pure spiritual milk

Consider if it is natural in your language to make the definite article explicit in this context. In some language doing so may help show that the pure spiritual milk is a metaphor.

pure: The Greek adjective that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pure can means “sincere” or “without deceit.” As a description of milk, it can be translated as “unadulterated,” that is, not watered down. As a description of God’s word, it can be translated as:

truthful

Consider if there is a word in your language that could cover both ideas. If not, you will have to choose between describing the metaphor (milk) or the topic the metaphor represents (God’s word).

spiritual milk: There is a play on words here. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as spiritual is from a root meaning “word.” Peter was implying that the spiritual milk was a figure of speech referring to the word of God.

milk: Here, milk refers to a mother’s milk. It represents food that is nourishing and life-giving, and it is a metaphor for God’s word. If you make this explicit, you may want to consider how you translated “the word of God” and “the word of the Lord” at 1:23b and 1:25a. See the General Comment below for more information.

General Comment on 2:2a

In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit something of the meaning of the metaphor in 2:2a. There are various ways of doing this. For example:

Desire God’s pure word as newborn babies desire milk. (God’s Word)
-or-
As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. (New Century Version)

2:2b

so that by it you may grow up: Peter wanted his readers to desire God’s word (2:2a) so that they would continue to listen to it and/or read it. In this way they would receive spiritual nourishment and become strong and mature believers.

so that: The Greek preposition that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that introduces the purpose for desiring (and therefore receiving) spiritual milk. Here is another way to translate this:

Then (God’s Word)

by it: God’s word/teaching was to be the means by which Peter’s readers received their spiritual food. Peter was implying that because they desired God’s word, the believers would actually hear and read it. The Good News Translation has made this explicit by including drinking as part of the milk metaphor:

so that by drinking it you may grow up (Good News Translation)

you may grow up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you may grow up is a form of a Greek verb that could mean grow or “increase” or “spread.” It can also be translated as “thrive.” For example:

so that you may thrive on it (Revised English Bible)

Peter was not telling his readers that they would grow up and no longer need the milk of God’s word. In Peter’s metaphor, all Christians remain babies who continue to need the nourishment of this milk in order to grow. Peter wanted his readers to continue to feed on God’s word and grow until their final salvation.

The way you translate this may depend on what sounds natural in your language. Some ways to say this include:

you will ⌊drink⌋ it and grow
-or-
it will nourish you
-or-
that by ⌊continuing to drink⌋ it you will thrive
-or-
that will help you grow (Contemporary English Version)

in your salvation: There are two ways of interpreting the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in your salvation :

(1) It means “resulting in your salvation”; that is, towards the goal of receiving final salvation from God. For example:

grow and be saved (Contemporary English Version)

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Revised Standard Version)

(2) It means “in or in regards to your salvation,” that is, it refers to becoming a strong and mature believer. For example:

grow into a full experience of salvation (New Living Translation (2004))

(Berean Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New International Version, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Peter was probably talking about the same salvation he referred to in 1:5. This is the salvation when God will deliver believers from all sin and suffering.

your salvation: In some languages it may be necessary to translate the abstract noun salvation as a verb:

you may…be saved (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊God⌋ may/will save you

© 2018 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 3:9

3:9

This is similar to Jesus’ teaching in Luke 6:27–28. If a Christian is treated badly by someone, he must do good to that person. God expects his people to behave like that, and he will bless them if they do.

3:9a

Do not repay evil with evil: The phrase Do not repay evil with evil means “Do not do evil to someone in return for the evil they have done to you.” In some languages it may be natural to translate it as a conditional statement:

If someone does evil to you, do not do evil back to them
-or-
When someone harms you, do not take revenge

3:9b

or: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as or here introduces another thing that believers were not to do. In some languages it may be natural to translate it as:

and

insult with insult: There is some implied information here. The words “Do not repay” from 9a are implied at the beginning of this verse part. The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ⌊Do not repay⌋ insult with insult in this context means “Do not speak evil to someone in return for the evil they have spoken to you.” Some other ways this phrase has been translated are:

Do not pay back…cursing with cursing (Good News Translation)
-or-
Do not repay…abuse with abuse (Revised English Bible)

General Comment on 3:9a–b

In some languages it may be natural to combine verse parts 9a–b after the model of the Contemporary English Version:

Don’t be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you.

3:9c

but: The Greek conjunction de that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces what believers were to do instead of returning evil for evil. Here is another way to translate this transition:

Instead (Contemporary English Version)

with blessing: In some languages it may be natural to supply a verb here, probably the same verb that you used in 3:9a and 3:9b. The New Century Version has:

repay with a blessing

In other languages it may be natural to translate the noun blessing as a verb:

bless them (God’s Word)
-or-
bless others (NET Bible)

blessing: There are two ways of interpreting the word blessing here:

(1) It means that Christians should ask God to bless their enemies. See Matthew 5:44.

(2) It means that Christians should do good to their enemies. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

treat everyone with kindness

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version)

Most English versions are ambiguous. If you must choose between these two interpretations, it is recommended that you choose interpretation (1), which has the support of most commentaries.

3:9d

to this you were called: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to this you were called :

(1) It refers backward to 3:9c and means “God called you to bless others.” For example:

That is what you were called to do (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It refers forward to 3:9e and means “God called you in order to bless you.” For example:

for a blessing is what God intends you to receive (Revised English Bible)

(New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This agrees with 2:21, where the context is similar.

The phrase to this you were called is passive. God is the one who is doing the calling. In some languages it may be more natural to express this in an active form. For example:

to this God has called you

called: The word called in this context means “invited” or “summoned.” The Contemporary English Version translates this phrase as:

You are God’s chosen ones (Contemporary English Version)

3:9e

so that: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that here introduces the reason/purpose why God called his people to bless others. See how you translated similar expressions in 2:21 (“that”) and 2:24b (“so that”).

you may inherit a blessing: The phrase you may inherit a blessing means “you will receive a blessing.” It is implied that it is God who will give the blessing. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit:

⌊God⌋ will give you a blessing
-or-

⌊God⌋ will bless you

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 4:19

4:19a

So then: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So then introduces a conclusion to what Peter had just been saying. In view of 4:12–18, this is what suffering believers should do. Here is another way to translation this transition:

Therefore (Revised Standard Version)

those who suffer according to God’s will: There are two ways of understanding the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as those who suffer according to God’s will :

(1) It refers to people who suffer because it is God’s will; that is, because God permits it. For example:

because that is God’s will for them (Good News Translation)

(God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation)

(2) It refers to people who suffer in the way God wants; that is, for obeying God. For example:

If you suffer for obeying God… (Contemporary English Version)

(New Century Version, Contemporary English Version)

Many other English versions are ambiguous (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, NET Bible). It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation follows Peter’s general theme in this letter of God requiring believers to suffer.

4:19b

should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator: In some languages it may be natural to translate this as two separate clauses:

should commit themselves to their Creator, for he is faithful
-or-
entrust their souls to him…their Maker will not fail them (Revised English Bible)

should entrust their souls: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as entrust their souls uses the Greek word for “soul” to refer to a person’s whole being or whole life, including both their body and their spirit.

their…Creator: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as their…Creator is literally “a Creator.” In this context Peter was thinking particularly of the fact that God had created the people who were suffering. So the Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word their, and this may be natural in other languages also. Some other ways to translate this are:

their Maker (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the God who created you (New Living Translation (2004))

faithful: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as faithful means “reliable, trustworthy.” God keeps his word, and he will not forsake anyone who believes in him. The Good News Translation has:

who always keeps his promise

4:19c

and continue to do good: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and continue to do good is literally “in good action.” The verb related to this is also used in 2:15, 2:20 and 3:6. For reasons of English style, many English versions translate it here as a command (New International Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, Revised Standard Version, God’s Word). Other ways to translate it include:

as they do good (NET Bible)
-or-
as they continue to do what is right (New Century Version)

General Comment on 4:18–19

Peter used the third person to speak about those who were suffering (“those who suffer”). But he was referring to those of his readers who were suffering. So in some languages it may be natural to use the second person “you (plur.) ”:

So those among you who are suffering in accordance with God’s will should entrust yourselves to your faithful Creator and continue to do good.

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 1:6

Paragraph 1:6–9

1:6

The two parts of this verse contrast with each other. The believers greatly rejoiced in what God had done for them, even while they were enduring various kinds of troubles. The Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions supply a word like “though” to connect these ideas (1:6a and 1:6b). Consider the best way to connect them in your language, while also keeping the connection between verses 5 and 6.

In some languages it may be necessary to use two sentences. For example:

In this you greatly rejoice. It is true that now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

1:6a

In this you greatly rejoice: There are two ways to interpret the Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In this you greatly rejoice :

(1) Peter’s readers rejoiced because of what God had done for them (1:3–5). For example:

This is a great joy to you (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) Peter was encouraging his readers to rejoice because of what God had done for them (1:3–5). For example:

Be glad about this (Good News Translation)

(New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English versions.

In this: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this refers to all the blessings Peter mentioned in verses 3–5. It may be more natural in your language to use a plural form. For example:

You are extremely happy about these things (God’s Word)

greatly rejoice: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as greatly rejoice means “be very happy.” Some other ways to translate this word are:

extremely happy (God’s Word)
-or-
truly glad (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
are very glad

1:6b

though: The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word though here to indicate contrast. See the note on 1:6 above. The believers had to suffer, but even so, they rejoiced. Some other ways to introduce this contrast is:

even though
-or-
although
-or-
in spite of

Use a natural way in your language to introduce such a contrast.

now: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as now is a time word. It refers to the time when Peter was writing. It contrasts with the future time of salvation in 1:5. Some other ways this may be translated are:

presently
-or-
at this time

for a little while: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for a little while refers here to a brief time. In this context it means that Peter’s readers would only have to suffer for a short time. The Lord would soon deliver them. Another way to translate this is:

for a short time (NET Bible)

you may have had to suffer grief: There are two ways to interpret Peter’s statement concerning to suffer grief in this context:

(1) Peter spoke of his readers’ suffering as a fact. He implied that his readers were already suffering. For example:

even though for a short time yet you must bear all sorts of trials (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, King James Version; probably New International Version, Revised English Bible)

(2) Peter spoke of his readers’ suffering as a possibility. He implied that it was possible that his readers might have to suffer or might have suffered. For example:

even if you have to go through many hard trials (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version; possibly New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), which agrees with most commentators.

The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you may have had to suffer grief is more literally “if necessary, you having been grieved.” This grieving from suffering had begun in the past, had continued in the present (“now”), and would continue for a little while in the future. So you should use an expression that would be as general as possible with regard to time.

suffer grief: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffer grief is literally “be grieved.” It refers to the grief, sadness or emotional pain that people feel when they have trouble. This is a passive verb, and it may be natural for some languages to translate it that way. For example, the English Standard Version says:

you have been grieved (English Standard Version)

1:6c

in various trials: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as various trials refers to the difficulties the people have been experiencing. Languages have different ways to express the experience of bearing such trials. Some ways to say this in English are:

to be sad…because of the many kinds of trials you suffer (Good News Translation)
-or-
to endure many trials (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
must bear all sorts of trials (New Jerusalem Bible)

trials: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as trials refers to the various problems and difficulties Peter’s readers were experiencing. These trials included troubles that came from other people who were persecuting them because they believed in Jesus Christ. Another way to say this is:

different kinds of trouble (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2:13

Section 2:13–25

God’s people should respect the rulers/chiefs of this world

In this section Peter explained in what way his readers should live good lives among their pagan neighbors. They should respect and obey their rulers, including those who ruled locally in the village or town and those who ruled the country. They should also respect and obey the chief ruler of all, the emperor of Rome. God had given these people authority to punish people who do evil and praise those who do good.

Some other headings for this section are:

Respect the Authority of Others (God’s Word)
-or-
Submission to Rulers and Masters (New International Version)

Paragraph 2:13–17

2:13a

Submit yourselves…to: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Submit yourselves…to means to recognize someone else’s authority. It is to accept their legal position and to act respectfully, as a subordinate. This would normally imply obeying their orders. Other translation suggestions include:

accept the authority of (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
place yourself under the authority of (God’s Word)

for the Lord’s sake: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for the Lord’s sake means “because of the Lord (Jesus Christ).” Peter wanted his readers to act in a way that would both please and honor the Lord. In your translation, you may need to focus on one of these aspects. For example:

the Lord wants you to… (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
to please the Lord (God’s Word)
-or-
to honor the Lord

every human institution: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as every human institution probably means “human authority.” This is the only time this Greek word that literally means “creation” is used in this way in the New Testament. The phrase has also been translated as:

human institution (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
human authority (Good News Translation)

Peter was referring to all people who have authority over others, whether in a single household, locally in a village or town, or in the whole country.

2:13b

the king: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as king here refers to the emperor, the head of the Roman Empire, who had power over all other government officials. Here is another way to translate this noun:

emperor (Revised English Bible)

as the supreme authority: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as as the supreme authority indicates both that the king was the supreme authority and that this was the reason why people should be subject to him.

the supreme authority: The word supreme means “highest in authority or rank.” The emperor had power over all other rulers in the Roman Empire. There was no one with the legal right to oppose him. Some other ways to translate this include:

who rules over everyone (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
who is the highest authority (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 3:20

3:20a

who disobeyed long ago: In some languages it may be necessary to supply the implied information that these spirits disobeyed God :

they disobeyed ⌊God⌋ long ago

long ago: In this context the phrase long ago refers to ancient times (the time of Noah), a few thousand years before Peter wrote. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

in the past (Revised English Bible)

3:20b

when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built: Peter was referring to the story in Genesis 6–8. God told Noah to build an ark to escape the flood he was going to send on the earth. While Noah and his family were building the ark, God waited patiently for other people to repent from their sins. But none of them repented.

God waited patiently: God waited patiently for other people to repent from their sins. But none of them repented.

ark: An ark is large boat. Some versions such as the New Living Translation (2004) have:

boat (New Living Translation (2004))

3:20c

In the ark: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In the ark is literally “in which.” The Greek sentence continues into this verse part. It may be helpful in your language to start a new sentence here, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

a few people, only eight souls: In your translation use an expression that indicates that eight is a small number of people compared to the number of people who died in the flood. For example:

not very many people, a total of only eight

were saved through water: There are several ways of understanding the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saved through water :

(1) Noah and his family reached safety by passing through the water. In other words, they experienced the flood and survived. For example:

were brought safely through the water (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, Contemporary English Version, Revised Standard Version)

(2) Noah and his family were saved by means of the water. It was the water that lifted and carried the ark. For example:

were saved by the water (Good News Translation)

(King James Version, God’s Word, Good News Translation, New Century Version)

(3) Noah and his family were saved from the water. For example:

saved from drowning in that terrible flood (New Living Translation (2004))

(New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Noah and his family were saved through water in the sense that God preserved their lives as they lived through the flood.

were saved: This is a passive verb. It was God who saved Noah and his family. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb here, you could say:

they escaped
-or-

⌊God⌋ saved them

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 5:11

5:11

To Him be the power forever and ever: The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word be. In the Greek text there is no verb in this sentence. So there are two ways of understanding this verse:

(1) It is a statement of what is already true. For example:

To him belongs the power forever. (NET Bible)

(Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, God’s Word, NET Bible)

(2) It is a prayer or the expression of a desire that something would happen. For example:

To him be the dominion for ever and ever. (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is the view of the majority of commentators.

forever and ever: There is a textual problem here:

(1) It says for ever. For example:

forever (NET Bible)

(God’s Word, Good News Translation, NET Bible)

(2) It says forever and ever. For example:

for ever and ever (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, King James Version, Revised English Bible, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), which is has the strongest support among scholars.

The expression forever and ever means “eternally, for all time.” It is similar in meaning to “eternal” in 5:10b. Another way to translate this expression is:

for all time

Amen: In this context, the word Amen means “This is true!” or “Truly, this is so!” See how you translated this word in 4:11d.

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 1:17

Paragraph 1:17–21

Some English versions do not begin a new paragraph here. Instead, 1:13–21 forms a paragraph (God’s Word, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised Standard Version).

1:17a

Since you call on a Father: There are two ways of interpreting the meaning of the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Since :

(1) It means since and implies that the statement that follows is an accepted fact. For example:

You say that God is your Father (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation)

(2) It means if and introduces a statement that may or may not be true. For example:

If you address as Father (New American Standard Bible)

(God’s Word, King James Version, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible)

Peter definitely thought of his readers as being God’s children who prayed to him as their Father (see 1:14a). Therefore, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

you call on a Father: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you call on a Father refers to calling God “Father” when speaking to him.

For example:

You call him Father, when you pray to God (Good News Translation)

Notice also that the Good News Translation has included the phrase “when you pray to God” to make it clear that Peter was talking about praying to God.

a Father: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a Father refers to God. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

You pray to God and call him Father (New Century Version)

1:17b

who judges each one’s work impartially: This phrase describes God the Father. In some languages it may be natural to translate it as a separate sentence:

He judges each one’s work impartially.

If you have not yet made it explicit that Peter is talking about God, it may be natural to do so here:

⌊the God⌋ who judges each one’s work impartially

judges: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as judges here means to decide or declare whether something is right or wrong. In this context it does not specifically mean “condemn.” Some work God declares to be right and good, and some work he judges to be wrong and evil.

The Greek verb judges refers to God’s judging activity in general. It does not specifically refer to any particular act of judging, past or future. The New Living Translation (2004) translates judges here as:

judge or reward (New Living Translation (2004))

each one’s: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as each one’s includes all human beings. Other ways to translate each one’s include:

each person’s (New Century Version)
-or-
everybody’s
-or-
each individual’s (New Jerusalem Bible)

work: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as work refers to someone’s conduct or lifestyle as a whole. There are several ways to translate it:

• Use a singular noun:

work (New International Version (2011))

• Use a verb phrase:

what they have done

• Use a plural noun:

their actions

Use the word or phrase that is natural in your language.

impartially: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as impartially literally means “without receiving faces” or “without receiving persons.” In other words, it means that God judges all people the same way, regardless of who they are. God is fair; he judges people justly, without bias or prejudice. Other ways to say that God judges “impartially” include:

who judges everyone fairly
-or-
who judges all people according to their actions without favoritism (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
who judges all people by the same standard (Good News Translation)

Your language may have a suitable idiom that means “without favoring one person over another.” This idiom may use the idea of “face,” as the Greek expression does.

General Comment on 1:17a–b

In some languages it may be natural to translate 1:17a–b as a separate sentence:

You call on ⌊God as⌋ your Father, and he judges each person without partiality.

1:17c

1:17c gives the conclusion Peter drew from his statement in 1:17a–b. If you have translated 1:17a–b as a separate sentence, it may be natural to make it clear that 1:17c is a conclusion by using a word meaning “so” or “therefore.” For example:

⌊So⌋ you should live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.

conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners may be translated literally as “conduct the time of your exile in fear.” The Greek text refers explicitly to the time when Peter’s readers were living in this world, away from heaven, their true home. Other ways to translate this include:

live out the time of your temporary residence here (NET Bible)
-or-
while you are living in exile here on earth, behave

reverent fear: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reverent fear is literally “fear.” In this context it refers to awe and wonder at the greatness and holiness of God. Other ways to translate it include:

reverence (Good News Translation)
-or-
awe (Revised English Bible)
-or-
respect (New Century Version)

stay as foreigners: The phrase stay as foreigners means that Peter’s readers were only temporary residents of this world. His words imply that a Christian’s eternal home is with God in heaven (see 1:1c).

Many English versions make the location of this temporary residence explicit. For example:

during the time of your stay on earth (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
during your time on earth (Revised English Bible)

General Comment on 1:17a–c

Verse parts 17a–b give the reason for what Peter told his readers to do in 1:17c. In some languages it may be more natural to translate the command first, before the reason for it. For example:

17c During your stay here as temporary residents ⌊of this earth⌋, behave with a respectful fear ⌊of God⌋, 17b because he judges everyone’s conduct fairly, 17a and you call him “Father.”
-or-

17c Live in reverence for God during your stay here on earth. 17a For you call him “Father,” 17b and he is the impartial Judge of what everyone does.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2018