Paragraph 22:10–11

22:10a–b

Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book: The phrase seal up refers to putting a seal on something. Here a seal would prevent others from reading the book. The angel wanted John to let others know what was in the book. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

do not prevent others from knowing the words of the prophecy of this book
-or-
Share the words of the prophecy of this book, do not hide them
-or-
Do not keep secret the words of prophecy in this book (New Century Version)

See how you translated the word “sealed” in 5:1.

the words of prophecy in this book: This phrase indicates that this book contained the words of prophecy to which the angel referred. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the prophetic words in this book (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the words of the prophecy of this scroll (New International Version (2011))

See how you translated this phrase in 22:7.

22:10c

the time is near: This clause indicates that the things in this revelation will happen soon. For example:

the time is near ⌊when these things will happen⌋

See how you translated this clause 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.

1:5a–c

from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth: The three phrases the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth all describe Jesus.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other people named Jesus Christ and only this one is the faithful witness, and so forth. If that is true in your language, translate these words so that they tell more about Jesus Christ. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness. He is the firstborn from the dead, and he rules the kings of the earth.
-or-
Jesus Christ. Jesus is the faithful witness, the first among those raised from the dead. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth. (New Century Version)

1:5a

and from Jesus Christ: The word from refers back to the greeting of “Grace and peace to you” (1:4c). It indicates that John also asked Jesus to give grace and peace.

In some languages it is necessary or more natural to repeat the greeting phrase here. For example:

and ⌊grace and peace to you⌋ from Jesus Christ
-or-
May Jesus Christ also give you grace and peace

See other examples in the General Comment on 1:4c–5c.

faithful: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as faithful refers to being worthy of trust. People can depend on that person. Here the word indicates that Jesus was completely reliable, dependable, and truthful in what he said. Other ways to translate this word are:

dependable
-or-
trustworthy (God’s Word)
-or-
truthful

witness: This word refers to a person who tells what he has seen, heard, or come to know. The Greek word that means witness is closely related to “testifies” (1:2a) and “testimony” (1:2b). Other ways to translate this word are:

testifier
-or-
one who speaks about what he knows
-or-
one who reports/explains

1:5b

the firstborn from the dead: This phrase also describes Jesus. This phrase uses the word firstborn in a figurative way. It indicates that God resurrected Jesus first, before other people.

This phrase also implies that God will resurrect other people later. Jesus has authority over all believers, just like a Jewish firstborn son had the position of authority over his brothers and sisters.

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

• Explain the figure of speech in your translation. For example:

the firstborn ⌊in place/position and time⌋ from the dead
-or-
the first person ⌊to return⌋ from the dead ⌊permanently/forever⌋ ⌊and he also has the authority/position of a⌋ firstborn

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

the first to be raised from death (Good News Translation)
-or-
was the first to conquer death (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the first to rise forever from the dead
-or-
the first one that ⌊God raised⌋ from death

You may then want to explain the literal word in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “firstborn.” This word indicates that God resurrected Jesus first, before other people. The word also implies that Jesus has authority over all believers, just like a Jewish firstborn son had the position of authority over his brothers and sisters.

1:5c

the ruler of the kings of the earth: This phrase also describes Jesus. It indicates that Jesus rules kings, chiefs, and all other rulers on earth. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the commander of all the rulers of the world (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Jesus rules all the rulers on earth

General Comment on 1:4c–5c

This greeting is complicated. John asked God, the seven spirits, and Jesus to give grace and peace to the believers. He also described God, the seven spirits, and Jesus. In some languages it is more natural to:

• First translate the three descriptions, and then translate what John wanted each one to do. For example:

4d May he who is, and who was, and who is to come, 4e the seven spirits before his throne, 5a and Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, 5b the firstborn from the dead, 5c and the ruler of the kings of the earth 4c give grace and peace to you.

You then would need to combine the verse marking for these verses as “4–5.”

• Translate the first two descriptions as well as “Jesus Christ,” followed by what John wanted each one to do. Then translate the description of Jesus Christ. For example:

4d May he who is, and who was, and who is to come, 4e the seven spirits before his throne, 5a and Jesus Christ, 4c give grace and peace to you. 5a Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, 5b the firstborn from the dead, 5c and the ruler of the kings of the earth

You then would need to combine the verse marking for these verses as “4–5.”

• Repeat the grace and peace blessing for each person/subject. For example:

4c Grace and peace to you 4d from him who is, and who was, and who is to come. 4e ⌊Grace and peace to you⌋ from the seven spirits before his throne. 5a ⌊Grace and peace to you⌋ from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, 5b the firstborn from the dead, 5c and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
-or-

4c–d May he who is, and who was, and who is to come give grace and peace to you. 4e May the seven spirits before his throne ⌊give grace and peace to you⌋ . 5a And may Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, 5b the firstborn from the dead, 5c and the ruler of the kings of the earth ⌊give grace and peace to you⌋ .
-or-

4c I pray that you will be blessed with kindness and peace 4d from God, who is and was and is coming. 4e May you receive kindness and peace from the seven spirits before the throne of God. 5a May kindness and peace be yours from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. 5b Jesus was the first to conquer death, 5c and he is the ruler of all earthly kings. (Contemporary English Version)

You may need to combine the verse marking for these verses as “4–5.”

Paragraph 1:5d–7

1:5d–6b

1:5d–1:6b is one long sentence. It includes a long description of Jesus (1:5d–1:6a). At the end of the sentence (1:6b), John described glory and power as belonging to Jesus. In some languages it is more natural to use two or more shorter sentences. For example:

5d
⌊Jesus Christ⌋ loves us 5e and has freed us from our sins by his own blood. 6a He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to serve his God and Father. 6b To him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

For an example of how to reorder the information in these clauses, see the General Comment at the end of the notes on 1:6b.

1:5d

To Him: The pronoun Him refers to Jesus as is made clear in 1:5e–6a.

loves: The word loves refers to a strong feeling of affection and concern for a person. It also refers to an attitude of actively seeking the good of another. Your language may have a word or idiom for saying this.

1:5e

has released us from our sins by His blood: There is a textual issue here about the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as released :

(1) Some Greek manuscripts have freed. For example:

released us from our sins by His blood (Berean Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts have washed. For example:

washed us from our sins in his own blood (King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). The earliest Greek manuscripts support “freed/released.”

has released us from our sins: This phrase indicates that Jesus has released believers from their sins. They are no longer guilty in God’s eyes and no longer have to suffer God’s anger.

Some commentators suggest that the phrase also refers to believers no longer being under the power of sin. If possible, translate in a way that allows both meanings. For example:

has freed us from our sins ⌊and their power⌋
-or-
released us from our sins (New American Standard Bible)

by His blood: Here the word blood refers figuratively to Jesus’ death. The phrase by His blood indicates that Jesus’ death was the way to free believers from their sins. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

by shedding his blood (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
by his sacrificial death (Good News Translation)
-or-
through his ⌊life/shed⌋ blood

© 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 3:21–22

3:21a

To the one who overcomes: The phrase To the one who overcomes is emphasized by being first in the clause. Translate this phrase as you did in 2:7 or 2:26.

3:21b–c

I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne: Here the word right refers to the privilege and authority to do something. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I will grant…permission to sit with me on my throne (NET Bible)
-or-
I will allow to share my throne (New Jerusalem Bible)

throne: A throne is the official chair of a king. It is a symbol of his power to rule. See how you translated throne in 1:4 or 2:13.

© 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.

6:6a

what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures: This clause probably indicates that John could not see who spoke. It was not one of the four living creatures, God, or Jesus. But the sound of the voice came from the area where the four living creatures were. Other ways to translate this clause are:

something that sounded like a voice coming from the middle of the four living creatures (New Century Version)
-or-
a voice speaking where the living beings were

6:6b–d

At that time, a day’s wage for a common laborer was a silver coin called a “denarius.” A “denarius” would normally buy eight quarts of wheat or more. A “denarius” would also normally buy sixteen quarts of barley or more. Therefore, the words in 6:6b–c refer to a severe shortage of wheat and barley. They had become very expensive. But 6:6d prohibits any shortage of olive oil or wine. People used all these four foods daily to make their meals.

6:6b

A quart of wheat for a denarius: This clause has no verb. In some languages it is necessary to add a verb for good grammar. You should probably add a future verb. For example:

A quart of wheat will cost you a whole day’s wages! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
One quart of wheat ⌊will be sold⌋ for a day’s pay!
-or-
People will need a day’s wage ⌊to buy⌋ one quart of wheat!

This price is about eight times more than normal. In some languages a literal translation would not clearly indicate that the price is very high. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the high cost in your translation. For example:

Wheat ⌊will be so expensive that⌋ a day’s wage will purchase ⌊only⌋ one quart of it ⌊instead of eight quarts⌋ !
-or-
One quart of wheat will cost ⌊much more than normal; it will cost⌋ a ⌊whole⌋ day’s wages!

quart of wheat: The grain called wheat was the daily food of many people at that time in that region. The Greek word for wheat and the kind of Greek measure probably imply wheat kernels/seeds/grain. The wheat kernels could be eaten directly or ground into flour for bread.

A quart of wheat would make enough bread for one person for one day. People in some languages do not normally eat wheat bread. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the daily food common to your area. This might be rice, corn, or some other kind of food. You may want to include a footnote to explain the literal word. An example footnote is:

Literally: “wheat.” Wheat bread was the daily food of many people at that time.

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

Wheat was the daily food of many people at that time.
-or-
Wheat was the daily food in that place at that time. Bread is made from wheat. A quart/liter of wheat flour would make enough bread for one person for one day.

quart: The Greek word here refers to a measurement that is about equal to a quart or a liter. In some languages people are more familiar with liters than quarts. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the word “liter” here.

a denarius: At that time, one denarius paid the wage for one day of work by a laborer or farm worker. This was a low wage. Only poor people worked for one denarius a day.

The high prices on food indicates that people would have to work all day just to pay for enough food to eat that day. In your translation you may want to:

• Follow the New International Version and use the phrase “a day’s wages” or a similar phrase. For example:

the money earned from a whole day of working
-or-
a day’s pay.

You may then want to explain the Greek word in a footnote. For example:

Literally, “a denarius.” This was a Roman coin that a laborer or farm worker received for one day of work. It was a poor person’s wage.

• Use a word for a day’s wage for a poor person. For example:

a silver coin

You may then want to explain the Greek word in a footnote. For example:

Literally, “a denarius.” This was a Roman coin that a laborer or farm worker received for one day of work.

• Spell the Greek word as someone in your language would say it and explain its meaning in a footnote. If you have used the word “denarius” in the Gospels, you may want to use it here. An example footnote is:

A denarius was a Roman coin that a laborer or farm worker received for one day of work.

6:6c

three quarts of barley for a denarius: The word barley refers to a cheaper grain than wheat. Poor people often bought barley instead of wheat. This price is about five times more than normal. Poor people in some languages do not normally eat barley bread. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the daily food common to poor people in your area. It should be a food different than the word you used in 6:6b. You may then want to include a footnote to explain the literal word. For example:

Literally: “barley.” Barley was the daily food of poor people at that time.

• Explain barley in a footnote. For example:

“Barley” was the daily food of poor people at that time.
-or-
“Barley” was the daily food of poor people at that time. A low quality bread is made from barley. Three quarts/liters of barley was enough food for a small family for one day.

General Comment on 6:6b–c

These two statements about food prices are probably instructions to the black horse and rider. The horse and rider will cause a shortage of foods used for the main part of the meal such as wheat and barley. The shortage will cause the high prices. People in some languages will not see that the shortage causes the high prices. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Include some implied information. For example:

⌊Cause a shortage so that⌋ a quart of wheat costs a day’s wages and three quarts of barley costs a day’s wages
-or-

⌊The food shortage will be so severe that⌋ a quart of wheat will cost a day’s wages and three quarts of barley will cost a day’s wages

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

This verse refers to a shortage of food that people eat daily. So the prices are five to eight times higher than normal. But there will not be a shortage of other food items like cooking oil and wine.

Also, the phrase “for a denarius” is repeated in 6:6c. In some languages it is more natural to omit the phrase. For example:

6b–c A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. (New Living Translation (2004))

6:6d

and do not harm the oil and wine: The person speaking prohibited the horse and rider from causing a shortage of olive oil and wine. Other ways to translate this clause are:

but do not harm oil and wine! (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
But don’t ruin the olive oil or the wine. (Contemporary English Version)

oil: The word oil here refers to olive oil. The olive is the fruit of the olive tree. Olive oil is squeezed out of it. The oil was used as cooking oil and as fuel for lamps.

In some languages people will think that the word refers to something other than cooking oil. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain its use in your translation. For example:

cooking oil

wine: Wine is made from the juice of a fruit called grapes. Grapes grow on a vine. People squeeze them and collect the juice. The juice is allowed to ferment, so wine is an alcoholic beverage.

At that time people commonly drank wine with the evening meal. People in some languages are not familiar with wine. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

common beverage called wine
-or-
fermented grape juice
-or-
wine water

You may then want to explain its meaning in a footnote. For example:

Wine is a beverage made from grapes. At that time people usually drank wine with the evening meal.

• Use the name of the beverage commonly used in your area with meals. You may then want a footnote to explain what wine is. For example:

Literally: “wine.” At that time, wine is a beverage that people commonly drank with the evening meal.

© 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 8:7

8:7a

Then the first angel sounded his trumpet: The Greek clause is literally “The first trumpeted.” It indicates that the first of the seven angels blew his trumpet. For example:

The first blew his trumpet (New Jerusalem Bible)

8:7b

and hail and fire mixed with blood: The Greek clause is literally “hail and fire mixed with blood occurred/happened.” It refers to the hail, fire, and blood appearing. For example:

Hail and fire mingled with blood appeared (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

hail and fire mixed with blood: The Greek phrase indicates that both the hail and the fire were mixed with the blood. For example:

hail and fire both mixed with blood

hail: The word hail refers to frozen rain. A piece of hail can be as small as a raindrop or bigger than a fist. Some languages do not have a word for hail. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

frozen rain
-or-
rain turned to ice
-or-
balls of ice
-or-
cold, hard rain

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

The word “hail” refers to frozen rain. A piece of hail can be as small as a raindrop or bigger than a fist.

8:7c

were hurled down: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. God probably ordered someone to hurl the hail and fire. For example:

⌊someone⌋ threw it

General Comment on 8:7b–c

Two verbs affect the hail and fire. First John sees them (the hail and fire “appeared”), then he saw them thrown to the earth. The second verb emphasizes the fact that God caused this disaster of hail and fire. In some languages the first verb may not be needed for the correct meaning. For example:

hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth (New Living Translation (2004))

8:7d–f

A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass: These three clauses are passive. Some languages must use other kinds of clauses. For example:

⌊The fire⌋ burned a third of the earth, ⌊it⌋ burned a third of the trees, and ⌊it⌋ burned all the green grass.
-or-

⌊The fire⌋ burned a third of the earth, a third of the trees, and all the green grass.
-or-
A third of the land burned, a third of the trees burned, and all the green grass burned.

A third of the earth…along with a third of the trees: Here the word third means “one part out of three parts.” For example, in a group of three hundred areas of land, one hundred of them burned. Other ways to translate these clauses are:

one ⌊plot⌋ in three ⌊plots⌋ of land…one tree in three
-or-
one of every three lands/areas of all the earth…one of every three trees
-or-
of all the parcels of land on the earth one parcel burned and two parcels did not burn…of all the trees one burned and two did not burn

the earth: Here the phrase the earth refers to the land.

© 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.

10:6a

swore by Him: The word swore refers to calling upon someone greater to be a witness that what the speaker was saying is true. It is implied that this other being will punish the speaker if what he said is not true. It does not indicate that the speaker is using bad or inappropriate words.

Here the angel called on God to witness that his statement of 10:6e–7c was true. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

spoke a vow that his words are true according to him
-or-
promised with an oath calling the name of him
-or-
called for support for his words from him

Him who lives forever and ever: This phrase refers to God. He lives eternally. For example:

God who lives forever (Contemporary English Version)

forever and ever: The Greek phrase is literally “into the ages of the ages.” The word “age” refers to a very long time. So the phrase “the ages of the ages” refers to eternity. For example:

the living one of the timeless ages (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

10:6b–d

who created heaven and everything in it, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it: This clause tells the reader more about God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other gods that John was thinking of and only this one created heaven and all other things. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the only true God. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

He created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it.

Also see the General Comment at 10:6e about reordering the information in this verse.

10:6b

created: This word means “made.” God made all these things from nothing. For example:

made (New Jerusalem Bible)

heaven and everything in it: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heaven and it are singular. But the phrase refers to the sky and everything in it, such as the stars, the moon, and the planets. For example:

the skies and all that is in them (New Century Version)
-or-
the sky and space and all that is in those things

10:6c

the earth and everything in it: This phrase refers to the world and all the animals and plants that live here.

10:6d

the sea and everything in it: This phrase refers to all the seas and oceans of the world. It includes everything that lives in them; for example, fish, animals, and plants.

10:6e

There will be no more delay: The word delay refers to a time of waiting. This clause indicates that the final events are about to occur. For example:

The time of waiting is over (New Jerusalem Bible)

General Comment on 10:6a–e

10:6a indicates that an angel made an oath. It also describes God. 10:6b–d also describes God. 10:6e then begins to tell what the angel said. His words was supported by his oath in 10:6a.

In some languages it is more natural to separate the description from the main event. If that is true in your language, you may want to translate this verse as more than one sentence. You may also want to reorder those sentences. For example:

6a And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, 6b who created the heavens and all that is in them, 6c the earth and all that is in it, 6d and the sea and all that is in it. 6e ⌊Finishing the oath,⌋ ⌊the angel,⌋ said, “There will be no more delay!
-or-

6a And he made an oath, asking the eternal God to be a witness to what he said. 6b God is the one who created the heavens and all that is in them. 6c ⌊He created⌋ the earth and all that is in it. 6d ⌊He created⌋ the sea and all that is in it. 6e ⌊After making that oath, the angel⌋ said, “There will be no more delay!
-or-

6a God lives for ever and ever. 6b He created the heavens and all that is in them, 6c the earth and all that is in it, 6d and the sea and all that is in it. 6a In the name of God, the angel made an oath 6e and said, “There will be no more delay!

© 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.