14:5a

And no lie was found in their mouths: This is a Hebrew idiom that means “They did not tell lies.” For example:

They never tell lies (Contemporary English Version)

14:5b

There is no conjunction between 14:5a and 14:5b. Here this grammar probably indicates that 14:5b is a more general statement than 14:5a but with a similar meaning. The repetition emphasizes the shared meaning. Some languages use other words to emphasize the meaning. For example:

indeed,…
-or-
for certain…

they are blameless:
This clause indicates that the behavior of the 144,000 was without fault. Other ways to translate this word are:

without fault (King James Version)
-or-
they do not have any sin

© 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.

16:9a

And the people were scorched by intense heat: This clause indicates that people received severe and painful burns from the sun. The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

The intense heat scorched them

scorched: This word refers to burning something quickly. Other ways to translate this word are:

scorched (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
burned (Good News Translation)

intense heat: Here the word intense means “much.” This heat was very hot. For example:

fierce heat (Good News Translation)

16:9b

and: There is some contrast here between the heat burning the people and the people not repenting but instead cursing God. For example:

but (New Revised Standard Version)

But in some languages it is more natural not to translate the contrast, as in the Berean Standard Bible. In some languages it is more natural to allow the context to indicate the correct connection and not translate the conjunction.

they cursed the name of God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cursed can also mean “blasphemed.” Here it refers to speaking evil about God. Other ways to translate this clause are:

they blasphemed/dishonored God’s name
-or-
they greatly slandered God

See how you translated a similar clause in 13:6 (“blasphemies against God,” Berean Standard Bible).

16:9c

who had authority over these plagues: The Greek words are literally “the one having authority over these plagues.” It indicates that God commanded the angels to send these plagues. Other ways to translate these words are:

who had control over these plagues (New International Version)
-or-
who had the power to cause such plagues (New Jerusalem Bible)

This clause tells the reader more about God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that John was thinking of other gods and only this one had authority over these plagues. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about God. For example:

because he had authority over these plagues

16:9d

yet: The Greek connects 16:9d to 16:9b with the common conjunction that is often translated as “and.” People in some languages will see no contrast here between cursing God and refusing to repent. For example:

and (Revised Standard Version)

they did not repent and give Him glory: The Berean Standard Bible literally represents the Greek here. This phrase indicates that the people did not turn away from their worship of false gods. The purpose of turning away from false gods was to honor the one true God. Other ways to translate this clause are:

they did not repent and acknowledge God’s glory
-or-
they would not turn from their sins and praise his greatness (Good News Translation)
-or-
But no one turned to God and praised him. (Contemporary English Version)

repent: This word refers to changing one’s mind, heart, and actions. In this case it refers to no longer worshiping the image of the beast. Some other examples are:

turn back to God
-or-
change their hearts and lives (New Century Version)
-or-
leave the ways of sin ⌊and follow the ways of God⌋

See how you translated this word in 2:5 or 9:20.

give Him glory: This phrase refers to agreeing that God has glory. Other ways to translate this word are:

acknowledge his majesty
-or-
praise him that he is awesome

See how you translated similar phrases in 4:9 (“give glory”) or 14:7 (“give him glory”).

© 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.

18:2a

And he cried out in a mighty voice: The phrase in a mighty voice is not emphasized in the Greek. So you do not need to emphasize this phrase in your translation. For example:

He shouted with a powerful voice (NET Bible)

cried out: The Greek word refers to speaking loudly so that many people can hear the message.

18:2b

Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great: The Greek words are literally “The great Babylon fell fell.” The verb “fell” is repeated in order to emphasize it. The Berean Standard Bible emphasizes the verb by repeating it and by placing it first, in poetic style common in English. The Good News Translation emphasizes the verb by using two complete sentences:

She has fallen! Great Babylon has fallen!

See how you translated these words in 14:8.

Fallen: Here the word Fallen refers to the result of the beast (and others) destroying the city (17:16).

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate or imply that the city fell because of some accident. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the implied meaning in your translation. For example:

⌊has been destroyed and so⌋ has fallen

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

has been destroyed
-or-
is finished/gone

• Explain the implied meaning in a footnote. For example:

This refers to the beast and others destroying the city (17:16) as God planned (17:17).

Babylon: Babylon had once been a very powerful city. The city was well known for idol worship. It controlled a vast empire at that time. One of its kings conquered Jerusalem. But at the time of Jesus and John, it was only ruins. So the name Babylon is a symbol here. It refers to a city, country, or empire that opposes God. This could include Rome or a future powerful city. Use the name Babylon here.

the great: The city of Babylon is called the great because it had once been an important and famous city. It had controlled a vast empire and held great influence in that region. See how you translated this phrase in 17:5.

18:2c

She: This pronoun refers to the city of Babylon. 18:2c–d describes it. 18:3a–c continues to use the metaphor of a woman for the city.

a lair for demons: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lair refers to a location where someone or something lives. The demons live in the ruins of Babylon. People are no longer living there. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

a dwelling place of demons (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
a lair for demons (NET Bible)

demons: This word refers to evil spirit beings. The word demons does not refer to the spirits of dead people.

18:2d

haunt: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as haunt refers to a place where an evil spiritual being lives. It probably includes the sense of guarding something. The demons probably watch over the ruins of Babylon and resent anyone trying to enter. Other ways to translate this word are:

refuge
-or-
place of watching/guarding

unclean spirit: The Berean Standard Bible literally represents the Greek of this phrase. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

foul spirit (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
filthy spirit (Contemporary English Version)

The phrase unclean spirit is a Hebrew idiom that refers to the spirit being sinful. A sinful spirit is religiously unclean and, therefore, unable to stand before God. An unclean spirit has rebelled against God.

In some languages translating unclean spirit literally would not have the meaning above. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “unclean spirit.” The phrase “unclean spirit” is a Hebrew idiom that refers to the spirit being sinful. A sinful spirit is religiously unclean and, therefore, unable to stand before God.

spirit: The word spirit refers to a being that is usually not seen. Angels and demons are spirits.

every unclean bird, and every detestable beast: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as every here probably means “many different kinds.” For example:

all kinds of filthy and hateful birds (Good News Translation)

unclean bird: In the Old Testament, writers referred to these kinds of birds as living in desolate or deserted places (Isaiah 34:11, Jeremiah 50:39). In Jewish culture, these birds were symbolic of demons. You may want to explain that implied meaning in a footnote. For example:

In the Old Testament, writers referred to these kinds of birds as living in desolate or deserted places (Isaiah 13:20–21, 34:10–11, Jeremiah 50:39). In Jewish culture, these birds were symbolic of demons.

unclean: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unclean means “defiled” or “desecrated.” It can also have the figurative meaning of “unfit before God” here. For example:

foul (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
filthy (Good News Translation)
-or-
vile/nasty
-or-
disgusting

and every detestable beast: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some versions include these words. For example:

a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast (English Standard Version)

(2) Some versions do not include these words.

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the Greek NT 4 includes them.

detestable: This word refers to things that people hate or avoid. Other ways to translate this word are:

loathsome (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
hated

© 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.

Paragraph 19:10

19:10a

So I fell at his feet: Here this clause refers to kneeling and putting the face to the ground with arms outstretched toward someone. This position showed complete humility before that person and honored him. The word fell implies a quick and complete action. It does not refer to accidentally falling. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I prostrated myself before him
-or-
I threw myself down at his feet (NET Bible)
-or-
I bowed down at the angel’s feet (New Century Version)
-or-
I knelt at the feet of the angel (Contemporary English Version)

See how you translated the verb at 19:4 (“fell down”).

worship: This word refers to honoring someone or something as sacred/divine. Other ways to translate this word are:

venerate
-or-
revere

See how you translated this word in 13:4 or 19:4.

19:10b

Do not do that: The Greek clause is literally “See not.” It is a command to John not to do what he was doing. John was not to prostrate himself before the angel. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Do not do it! (New International Version (1984))
-or-
Do not worship/honor me

19:10c

19:10c is a reason why John should not worship the angel. In some languages it is more natural to clearly indicate it is the reason. For example:

⌊For⌋ I am…

I am a fellow servant with you: This clause indicates that the angel served God just as John served God. They both did the things that God told them to do. For example:

I am a servant together with you (Good News Translation)

fellow servant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant can also mean “slave.” It indicates that the angel did what God told him to do. The difference between “slave” and “servant” is not important here.

Some languages do not have a single word for “slave.” If that is true in your language, you may want to refer generally to those who serve God. Or if the word “slave” is not appropriate for believers in your language, you may want to refer generally to those who serve God. For example:

one who serves God as you do

See how you translated the word servant in 10:7 or 15:3.

19:10d–f

the testimony of Jesus…the testimony of Jesus: This phrase occurs in both 19:10d and 19:10f. It probably has the same meaning in both places. There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It indicates that believers give their testimony about Jesus. For example:

bear their witness to Jesus. …those who bear witness to Jesus (Revised English Bible)

(2) It indicates that Jesus gave the testimony. For example:

the truth that Jesus revealed (Good News Translation)

Many English versions translate the Greek grammar literally as of, as the Berean Standard Bible does. It is not possible to tell which interpretation they follow. You may also translate this phrase in a similar way. But some languages must choose either interpretation (1) or interpretation (2). If that is true in your language, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

19:10d

your brothers: Here the word brothers refers to other believers. It refers to both men and women. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

your brothers and sisters (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
your siblings in believing/faith
-or-
your fellow believers

who rely on the testimony of Jesus: This clause tells the reader more about the believers (“your brothers”). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that only some believers rely on the testimony of Jesus. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about all believers. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

They rely on the testimony of Jesus.

rely on: Here, the phrase rely on indicates that the believers continue to believe that their testimony about Jesus is true. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

are faithful to
-or-
have

testimony: The word testimony means “the words spoken about what one saw or knows.” The word testimony is often used when the person speaking is expected to be truthful and accurate. Other ways to translate this word are:

witness (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
message (New Century Version)

See how you translated this word in 12:17 or 17:6 (where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “witnesses”).

19:10e

Worship God: This command indicates that John should worship only God. He should never worship an angel or anyone else. It was not a command to begin worshiping God at that moment. For example:

Worship only God. (New Living Translation (2004))

19:10f

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy: There are two ways to interpret who spoke:

(1) The angel spoke this clause.

(2) John wrote his own thought here.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

For: This conjunction introduces an explanation about “the testimony of Jesus” (19:10d).

the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy: The word “spirit” probably means “essence” or “main principle” here. For example:

the testimony of Jesus is the essence of prophecy
-or-
the testimony of Jesus is the main principle of prophecy

This clause is generally understood in several ways that are close in meaning:

(a) The purpose of prophecy is to testify about Jesus.

(b) Anyone telling others about Jesus is, in effect, prophesying to them.

(c) Words of true prophecy agree with what Jesus said and did.

Translate the phrase the testimony of Jesus in a way that is similar in meaning to your translation of that phrase in 19:10d.

prophecy: The word prophecy refers to a message that God gives to someone. The message may include a vision, as in Ezekiel 1 and Daniel 8. A prophecy may reveal something about past events, current events, or future events. The prophet speaks the prophecy to the people or writes it down for their use.

Some languages do not have a word for prophecy. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

direct message from God
-or-
God’s ⌊new⌋ message
-or-
a message that God has revealed

• Use the major language word. If people are not familiar with this word, explain it in a footnote. Example footnotes are:

The word “prophecy” refers to a message that God gives to someone. The message may be words or visions. A “prophecy” may speak about something that happened in the past, something currently happening, or something that will happen in the future.
-or-
See the footnote on “prophecy” at 1:3.

See how you translated this word in 1:3.

© 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.

22:11a

Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous: This command is to everyone who is a wrongdoer. In some languages using plural forms is more natural. For example:

Those who do what is wrong/evil, continue doing what is wrong/evil!

the unrighteous: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the unrighteous refers to someone who does things that God says are not right to do. For example:

the one who is doing harm (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
whoever is doing evil (New Century Version)
-or-
He that is unjust (King James Version)

22:11b

the vile continue to be vile: This command is to everyone who is vile. Translate this clause in a similar way to 22:11. For example:

Those who are vile continue being vile!

vile: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as vile refers to deeds that are morally bad or wrong. Other ways to translate this word are:

morally filthy (NET Bible)
-or-
impure mind
-or-
immoral
-or-
dirty-minded (Contemporary English Version)

22:11c

let the righteous continue to practice righteousness: The phrase the righteous indicates that the deeds of these people are upright and good in God’s eyes. Other ways to translate this clause are:

let the good persevere in their goodness (Revised English Bible)
-or-
The one who is righteous must continue to act righteously (NET Bible)

22:11d

holy: Here the word holy refers to being set apart for special service to God. Here it probably also implies being without sin. Other ways to translate this word are:

devoted to God
-or-
set apart for God
-or-
pure/blemishless/sinless

© 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.

Paragraph 1:17–18

1:17a

When I saw Him: The pronoun Him refers to Jesus here. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Seeing him ⌊standing there⌋
-or-
Immediately upon seeing him

I fell at His feet like a dead man: This clause indicates that John fell immediately, like a person would fall if he died suddenly. He was overwhelmed by what he saw. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I fell at his feet as if I were dead (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I fell at his feet as though I were dead (Revised English Bible)

1:17b

But: The Greek conjunction here is usually translated “and” (as in the New American Standard Bible). But there is some contrast between John throwing himself down and Jesus having compassion. The Berean Standard Bible therefore translates this as: But.

You should connect 1:17a–b in the way that is most natural in your language.

He placed His right hand on me: This action shows compassion and reassures John. Other ways to translate this clause are:

he laid his right hand upon me (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he put his right hand on me (Contemporary English Version)

1:17c

I am the First and the Last: The title the First and the Last indicates that Jesus existed before all things and will exist after everything in this world ends. This title implies that he is therefore greater than anything and has authority over everything. This title is similar in meaning to the title “the Alpha and the Omega” (1:8a).

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

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

The title “the First and the Last” indicates that Jesus existed before history began and will exist after it ends. He is therefore in authority over human history.

• Explain the title in your translation. For example:

I am the First and the Last ⌊existing eternally⌋
-or-
I am the One who is from the very beginning until the very end ⌊of time/history⌋

Translate this title in a different way from the title “the Alpha and the Omega,” because both titles appear in 22:13.

© 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.

Section 3:1–6

Jesus spoke to the church at Sardis

In this section, Jesus spoke to the people who believed in him at Sardis. He said that although people thought that the believers in Sardis trusted and obeyed him well, this was not true. He told them they must begin to truly trust and obey him again. He encouraged the believers who still completely trusted and obeyed him. Lastly, he gave a promise to any believer who persevered in his faith.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Message to Sardis (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jesus gave a message for the church at Sardis
-or-
Advice to the group of believers at Sardis

Translate this heading as you did for the other messages to the churches (for example, Section 2:18–29).

Paragraph 3:1–3

3:1a

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: You should translate this clause in the same way that you did in 2:18. You only need to change the name to Sardis.

3:1b–c

These are the words of the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: This clause is an introduction to the words in 3:2–6. You should translate the phrase These are the words of the One who holds as you did in 2:1.

Jesus spoke these words about himself. He continues to speak in 3:1d, using the pronoun “I.” In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Jesus was talking about someone else here. If that is true in your language, indicate that Jesus spoke about himself. For example:

These are my words, and I hold the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

the One who holds: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as holds also means “has.” Here the word indicates that Jesus in some way possessed or controlled the seven spirits and the seven stars. Translate using a word with that meaning. For example:

the one who has (Good News Translation)

See how you translated the word “held” in 1:16.

3:1c

the seven Spirits: Many scholars believe that the phrase the seven Spirits is a symbolic way to refer to the Holy Spirit. Other scholars believe that the phrase refers to seven angels or to seven other spirits who serve God. See how you translated this phrase in 1:4.

If you used a footnote to explain the seven Spirits at 1:4, you may want to:

• Refer your readers to the footnote on the seven Spirits at 1:4. For example:

See footnote on “the seven Spirits” at 1:4.

• Repeat all or most of the footnote at 1:4 here.

3:1d

I know your deeds: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deeds means “actions” or “activities.” You should translate this clause as you did in 2:19.

your: As in the beginning of the other letters, the pronoun your is second person singular. This pronoun 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 and in the following verses to refer to the believers directly. See how you translated this pronoun in 2:2.

3:1e

In the Greek, 3:1e begins with a word that means “that.” It introduces an explanation. Some ways to translate this word are:

that (King James Version)
-or-
how (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions end 3:1d with a semi-colon (;) to indicate that there is a connection and allow the context to imply that 3:1e explains 3:1d. Other English versions end 3:1d with a period and allow the context to imply that 3:1e explains 3:1d.

you have a reputation for being alive: The word reputation refers to what people thought and said about the believers in Sardis. The people thought that the faith of these believers was alive. Other ways to translate this clause are:

People say that you are alive (New Century Version)
-or-
You are known for being alive (God’s Word)
-or-
Everyone may think you are alive (Contemporary English Version)

alive…dead: The word alive refers figuratively to following/obeying Jesus well. The word dead refers figuratively to following Jesus very poorly. People thought that the believers in Sardis followed Jesus well. But in fact the believers did not. They did not behave according to what they said they believed. They were like dead people, who cannot even move their bodies.

In some languages people will think that this saying refers to only physical life and death. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

having ⌊faith that is⌋ alive, but your ⌊faith⌋ is dead
-or-
being ⌊spiritually⌋ alive, but you are ⌊spiritually⌋ dead

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

The words “alive” and “dead” refer to their faith. Others thought that these believers followed Jesus well. But these believers did not follow Jesus well at all.

© 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.