17:2a

The kings of the earth were immoral with her: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as with her is literally “with whom” (as in the Revised Standard Version), connecting to “the great prostitute” in 17:1. It is emphasized in the Greek by putting it at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

With her the kings of the earth committed adultery (New International Version (2011))

Some languages must put the phrase with her after the verb, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

The kings of the earth: This phrase refers to the leaders of nations around the world.

were immoral: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were immoral refers generally to having sexual relations with someone who is not one’s spouse. It refers to both married and unmarried people.

In your culture, you may use a euphemism for this Greek word. For example:

slept with women who was not their spouses
-or-
did wrong with women who were not their wives

The word or phrase you use should be acceptable for reading aloud in public. See how you translated this phrase in 2:14 (“commit sexual immorality”).

This metaphor refers to the shameful deeds and greed of these kings. They were happy to be seduced by this woman. She lured them through offers of riches and power.

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

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

The kings of the earth did shameful things/deeds with ⌊the people of⌋ this city

• Explain its figurative meaning in a footnote. For example:

This word/phrase indicates that the kings joined with the people of this city and did shameful things/deeds in the same way that someone commits adultery with a prostitute.

17:2b

those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality: This clause symbolically indicates that the woman’s activities caused people to lose self-control and right thinking, just as wine does.

In some languages it is more natural to translate this clause with her immorality as the subject. You may compare them to wine in a simile. For example:

Her adulteries, like wine, made the people of the earth drunk

It is also possible to leave the wine implicit, because it is implied by the word intoxicated. For example:

Her immoral ways have intoxicated the earth’s inhabitants

were intoxicated: This phrase refers to being drunk, in this case from wine. A person who drinks too much wine is unable to think, speak, or act normally. Use the word or phrase that is natural in your language to describe being intoxicated.

the wine of her immorality: This phrase compares the woman’s immorality to wine. This is a figure of speech referring to the idolatry and excessive pleasures of the great city. Another way to translate this is:

her immoral ways, just like wine

wine: Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from the juice of grapes. In some languages people are not familiar with wine. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

alcoholic grape juice/drink

• Use the word for the common alcoholic beverage in your area. You may then want a footnote to explain the literal word. You may have to use the major language word for wine. For example:

Literally: “wine.”

See how you translated this word in 14:8 or 16:19.

General Comment on 17:2b

17:2b uses the metaphor of being drunk with wine to refer to a state of spiritual folly. The people worshiped the false gods of Babylon and shared in her excessive luxury. This caused them to become incapable of understanding spiritual things, which is like being drunk. In some languages a literal translation would not indicate the correct figurative meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. For example:

The phrase “intoxicated with the wine of her immorality” indicates that people participated in idolatry and excessive luxuries with the evil city. That caused them to become spiritually foolish.

• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

and the inhabitants of the earth became ⌊spiritually like a⌋ drunk person from sharing in her idolatry and her excessive luxuries

© 2020 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.

18:16a–b

saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet…”: These words were probably spoken about Babylon, rather than to her. She is not addressed by the pronoun “you” in the following verses. For example:

saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen… (New American Standard Bible)

Woe, woe to the great city: The words naming the thing spoken about, the great city, are in the middle of the sentence. Many languages must have the great city first for a natural sentence and place the words Woe, woe at the end of the sentence. Also, many languages must locate the description of that thing immediately after naming the thing spoken to. For example:

O great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls—woe, woe!

18:16a

saying: The Berean Standard Bible represents the Greek literally here. Some other English versions use the phrase “and cry out” to indicate the meaning of “speak with much emotion.” That meaning is implied here. See how you translated the word “cry” in 18:10.

Woe, woe: The word Woe is repeated to emphasize its meaning. But in some languages it is more natural not to repeat the word. If that is true in your language, you should emphasize the woe in a natural way. For example:

Great woe ⌊indeed⌋ !

See how you translated this phrase in 18:10.

the great city: The Berean Standard Bible literally represents the Greek here. Some English versions add the word “O” (as in the New International Version (1984)). In English it probably indicates a formal address, as speaking to someone of high status. Some English versions, like the Berean Standard Bible, do not add this word.

great: The city of Babylon is called great because at that time it was an important and famous city. It had a vast empire and great influence. See how you translated this word in 18:2.

18:16b

clothed in fine linen: The merchants speak about Babylon as if that city is a woman clothed in fine linen. Earlier, John saw Babylon figuratively as a woman (17:1–18).

In some languages it is not natural to refer to a city as a woman. If that is true in your language, you may want to change this metaphor into a simile. For example:

⌊she was like a woman⌋ clothed in fine linen

fine linen: Here the word fine indicates that the linen was very good quality. See how you translated this phrase in 18:12.

purple and scarlet: This phrase refers to the colors of the cloth. Making purple and scarlet cloth was expensive at that time. For example:

expensive purple and scarlet clothing

See how you translated the words purple and scarlet in 18:12.

18:16c

adorned: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as adorned means “wearing.” A woman wore gold, precious stones and pearls in order to look beautiful. This word may refer to jewelry or to things fastened to the dress or both. Other ways to translate this word are:

decorated
-or-
glittering with (New International Version)

See how you translated this word in 17:4.

gold and precious stones and pearls: See how you translated these words in 18:12.

© 2020 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.

20:3a

shut it: The Greek word here can mean both “shut” and “lock.” The angel had the key to the Abyss. A key implies that there was a door with a lock. The angel both shut the door and locked it with the key.

In some languages it is more natural to mention the door in your translation. For example:

shut ⌊the door⌋

“Lock the door” implies first shutting the door. In some languages, a literal translation would not imply shutting the door. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the implied meaning. For example:

⌊shut and⌋ locked ⌊the door⌋

sealed: This word refers to putting something on the door to indicate the door is not to be opened. Only the person with the proper authority should open it.

In some languages people are not familiar with this process of sealing doors. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a word or phrase that indicates that kind of deed. For example:

affixed with an ⌊official⌋ stamp/seal
-or-
There was a mark stuck to it ⌊so that it might not be opened except by the right person⌋

someone put a mark/seal on the door and doorjamb ⌊to show that it should be opened only by those with the authority to do so⌋

See how you translated this word in 5:1.

it: This pronoun refers to the Abyss. In some languages it is more natural to explain the pronoun it as referring to the door of the Abyss. For example:

its ⌊door⌋

20:3b

so that he could not deceive the nations: Here, the word so introduces the purpose for seizing Satan, binding him, throwing him into the Abyss, locking the door, and sealing it. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

so that he could not deceive the nations (NET Bible)
-or-
The angel did this so he could not trick the people of the earth (New Century Version)

the nations: Here the word nations refers to the various countries and people groups living on the earth.

20:3c

until the thousand years were complete: This phrase indicates that after one thousand years God would no longer bind/restrain Satan. Then Satan would again deceive the nations. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

until the one thousand years were finished (NET Bible)
-or-
until the 1,000 years were over (God’s Word)

thousand: Some languages do not have words for large numbers. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use numerals. For example:

1,000 (God’s Word)

• Use the major language word.

General Comment on 20:3b–c

In some languages it is necessary or more natural to talk about events in the order they happen. If that is true in your language, consider how to translate the information in 20:3b–c. For example:

3b to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore 3c during the thousand years
-or-

3c so that a thousand years would go by 3b before the dragon could fool the nations again (Contemporary English Version)

20:3d

After that: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that is literally “these (things).” It refers to what John had seen in 20:1–3c. For example:

After those things ⌊happened⌋

he must be released: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊someone⌋ must release him

he must be: The Greek words are literally “it is necessary for him to be.” God’s plan includes allowing Satan to be free after the thousand years are over. Another way to translate this phrase is:

he will certainly be

for a brief period of time: This phrase refers to the time during which the events of 20:7–10 take place.

© 2020 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.

21:20a

sardonyx: This name in Greek is spelled sardonux. This word refers to a kind of stone with red bands and lighter color bands. The lighter color bands can be white, tan, or pink. Light reflects off the surface of this stone. Light does not shine through this stone like it does through glass.

In some languages people are not familiar with sardonyx. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, banded/striped red stone ⌊named⌋ sardonyx

• Use the major language word for sardonyx. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Sardonyx is a kind of red stone with lighter colored bands. It shines brightly.

carnelian: This word refers to a kind of blood-red stone that shines brightly in the sun. (The Greek word is sardion.) Light reflects off the surface of this stone. Light does not shine through this stone like it does through glass. See how you translated this word in 4:3.

21:20b

chrysolite: This name in Greek is spelled chrusolithos, where the “ch” is pronounced like a “k” without stopping the air in the mouth. This word probably refers to yellow jasper or yellow quartz. For example:

goldstone (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Light reflects off the surface of yellow jasper, but it shines through yellow quartz.

In some languages people are not familiar with chrysolite. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, yellow stone ⌊named⌋ chrysolite

• Use the major language word for chrysolite. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Chrysolite is a kind of yellow stone. It shines brightly.

beryl: This name in Greek is spelled berullos. This word refers to a kind of bluish-green or sea-green stone that light shines through.

In some languages people are not familiar with beryl. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, glassy/transparent bluish-green stone ⌊named⌋ beryl

• Use the major language word for beryl. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Beryl is a kind of bluish-green stone. Light shines through it.

21:20c

topaz: This name in Greek is spelled topazion. This word refers to a kind of yellowish-brown or greenish-yellow stone that light shines through.

In some languages people are not familiar with topaz. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, glassy/transparent yellow/greenish-yellow stone ⌊named⌋ topaz

• Use the major language word for topaz. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Topaz is a kind of yellow or greenish-yellow stone. Light shines through it.

chrysoprase: This name in Greek is spelled chrusoprasos, where the “ch” is pronounced like a “k” without stopping the air in the mouth. This word refers to a kind of green stone that shines brightly in the sun. Light reflects off the surface of this stone. Light does not shine through this stone like it does through glass.

In some languages people are not familiar with chrysoprase. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny green stone ⌊named⌋ chrysoprase

• Use the major language word for chrysoprase. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Chrysoprase is a kind of green stone. It shines brightly.

21:20d

jacinth: This name in Greek is spelled uakinthos. This Greek word refers to a kind of dark blue stone that shines brightly in the sun. Light reflects off the surface of this stone. Light does not shine through this stone like it does through glass. It may refer to the same color that is translated as “sapphire” in 9:17b.

In some languages people are not familiar with jacinth. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, dark blue stone ⌊named⌋ jacinth

• Use the major language word for jacinth. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Jacinth is the Greek word for a kind of dark blue stone. It shines brightly.

amethyst: This name in Greek is spelled amethustos. This word refers to a kind of purple stone that light shines through.

In some languages people are not familiar with amethyst. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a shiny, glassy/transparent purple stone ⌊named⌋ amethyst

• Use the major language word for amethyst. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Amethyst is a kind of purple stone. Light shines through it.

© 2020 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.

3:15a

I know your deeds: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deeds means “actions” or “activities.” You should translate this clause as you did in 3:8.

you: The Greek pronoun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you is singular. It refers to the angel of the church as the representative of all the believers there.

In many languages it is more natural to use plural pronouns here. If that is true in your language, use plural forms in the following verses to refer to the believers directly. This is the same issue as in 3:8a.

3:15b

you are neither cold nor hot: This is a metaphor. It is probably comparing the Laodiceans and their deeds to water. In their culture, hot water was useful for certain activities (such as bathing), and cold water was useful for other activities (such as drinking). But the believers in Laodicea were not like the hot water or the cold water. They were not useful for anything.

In some languages it is necessary to make the implied comparison with water explicit. It may also be necessary or more natural to translate this metaphor as a simile. For example:

you are neither ⌊like⌋ hot ⌊water⌋ nor like cold ⌊water⌋

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

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

you are neither ⌊useful⌋ like hot ⌊water⌋ nor ⌊useful⌋ like cold ⌊water⌋

• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The phrase “neither cold nor hot” uses the metaphor of hot and cold water. Hot water is useful for certain activities, and cold water, for other activities. But the believers in Laodicea were not like the hot water nor the cold water. They were not useful for anything, because their faith bore no fruit (3:17).

3:15c

How I wish you were one or the other: This clause refers to the believers being neither cold nor hot as in the metaphor above. In other words, Jesus wished they would act in some useful manner. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Would that you were cold or hot! (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I wish that you were hot or cold! (New Century Version)
-or-
I wish that you served me in some useful way!
-or-
If only your deeds were ⌊as useful⌋ as hot water or ⌊as useful⌋ as cold water.

How I wish: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as How I wish introduces an unfulfilled wish. Jesus wanted the believers in Laodicea to be like hot water or cold water, but they were not like either. Other ways to translate this clause are:

It would be better that
-or-
I wish (New International Version)
-or-
If only

one or the other: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as one or the other is literally “cold or hot.” In some languages it is more natural to translate the Greek literally. Use the order that is natural in your language. For example:

cold or hot (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
hot or cold (New Century Version)

© 2020 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.

5:14a

And the four living creatures: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as living creatures is literally “living (ones).” The word refers to beings that are like angels yet symbolically look like animals (4:7). See how you translated this phrase in 4:6.

Amen: The word Amen is a Hebrew word that means “even so” or “it is true.” The word is used to agree with what was said. The Greek borrowed the Hebrew word. English borrowed this word as well.

In some languages people are not familiar with this word. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the meaning in your translation. For example:

It is so
-or-
True!

• Borrow this word and spell it as people in your language would say it. You may then want to explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The word “amen” means “even so” or “it is true.”

See how you translated this word in 1:6.

5:14b

fell down: Here the phrase fell down refers to kneeling and putting the face to the ground with arms outstretched toward someone. This position showed complete humility, and it honored the other person. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

prostrated themselves (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
threw themselves to the ground (NET Bible)

Some languages have a different action that shows humility and honors someone. If that is true in your language, you may want to use that word or phrase. See how you translated this phrase in 4:10 or 5:8.

worshiped: This word refers to honoring someone or something as sacred/divine. In some languages it is necessary to add who is worshiped. For example:

worshiped ⌊God and the Lamb⌋
© 2020 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.