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.

4:11a

Worthy are You, our Lord and God: In some languages it is more natural to address God first. For example:

Our Lord and God, you are worthy

Worthy are You: The word Worthy indicates that God deserves to receive all glory, and honor, and power. It is right and proper that the elders should give him their respect, honor him, and acknowledge his power and glory. For example:

you deserve (God’s Word)

Worthy: In the Greek, the word Worthy is emphasized. If possible, emphasize it in your language. For example:

Worthy are You (Berean Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible)
-or-
You are indeed worthy

4:11b

to receive glory and honor and power: This phrase refers to anyone praising and honoring God. God accepts that praise and honor. The living creatures, the elders, and others praise God’s glory and power. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

for ⌊people/everyone⌋ to glorify you and honor you and praise your power
-or-
that we acknowledge your majesty and your power and we revere you
-or-
that ⌊all beings⌋ praise your greatness and show you respect and praise you as the powerful/mighty one

receive…power: Here this phrase refers to being praised for one’s power. People praise God for being the all powerful God.

glory and honor: See how you translated glory and honor in 4:9.

4:11c

for: This conjunction introduces the basis for saying that God is worthy of praise. Another way to translate this word is:

because (God’s Word)

You created all things: This clause indicates that God made all things in the universe. For example:

you made the whole universe (New Jerusalem Bible)

4:11d

In some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

You chose to create them and they have their existence ⌊according to that choice⌋ .

by Your will: This phrase indicates that God chose to create all things. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

by your decision (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
as you willed/chose

they exist and came to be: God created all beings and helps them to continue to exist. Other ways to translate these words are:

they were created and continued to exist
-or-
they were created and live
-or-
you created them, and ⌊you cause them to⌋ remain/continue living
-or-
you made them and sustain them

© 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 7:1–8

Angels put God’s seal on 144,000 people

In this section, John saw angels put God’s seal on 144,000 people from Israel. This seal indicates that these people belong to God.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The 144,000 of Israel Sealed (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
The 144,000 Are Marked for God (Contemporary English Version)

Paragraph 7:1–8

7:1a

After this: The word this refers to the event in 6:16–17. In some languages it is more natural to use the word “that.”

angels: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angels refers here to spirit beings who serve God. See how you translated this word in 1:1 or 5:2.

the four corners of the earth: This idiom refers to four places that are as far away from each other as possible. 7:1b implies that these four places are the sources for the winds. In many languages, winds come from the north, south, east, and west. Here, the idiom implies that the angels control the wind over the whole world. Some languages do not have an idiom that refers to four places that are as far away from each other as possible. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the four words north, south, east, and west. For example:

in/at the north, the east, the south, and the west of the earth

• Translate the meaning without the idiom. For example:

in/at the four places on the earth far distant from each other

7:1b–c

holding back its four winds so that no wind would blow: The phrase its four winds refers to winds from the north, south, east, and west. Together they represent wind from any direction. Other ways to translate this clause are:

stopping the four winds of the earth so that no wind would blow
-or-
preventing all wind from blowing on the earth

blow: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blow probably refers to strong winds that damage things. The angels prevented the winds from causing this damage. But the Greek word may also refer to any kind of wind, strong or gentle.

sea: The word sea refers to large bodies of water. A sea is often so large that someone standing on one side cannot see the other side. Here it refers to oceans in general. Some languages do not have a word or phrase for “sea.” If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

the saltwater ⌊place⌋
-or-
large body of water
-or-
large round water

• Use the major language word.

See how you translated this word in 5:13. The word sea is symbolic, so you should not name a particular sea.

© 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.

9:6a–d

In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, but death will escape them: The words men will seek death and will not find it (9:6a–b) have the same meaning as the words they will long to die, but death will escape them (9:6c–d). Repeating the same meaning using different words emphasizes that meaning. If possible, emphasize the meaning naturally in your language.

In some languages repeating one’s words has a different use. If that is true in your language, emphasize the meaning in a natural way. For example:

During those days men will intently seek to die, but will not find a single way ⌊to die⌋

9:6a

men: Here the word men refers to both men and women.

seek death: The people will suffer so much severe pain from the locusts that they will want to die. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

want to die (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
look for a way to die (New Century Version)

9:6b

and will not find it: This clause indicates that the people will not die even though they want to. Other ways to translate this clause are:

but they will not be able to (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
but find none

9:6c

they will long to die: The word long refers to desiring or wanting something. For example:

hope for death (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
desire to die (King James Version)

9:6d

death will escape them: The word escape refers to eluding someone or something. For example:

death will flee from them (Good News Translation)

This clause is used figuratively to refer to people not being able to die. In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a different word or figure of speech that gives this meaning. For example:

death will not come to them
-or-
they will not be able to meet with death
-or-
death is far from them

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

they will not be able to die

© 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.

13:2a

The beast I saw was like a leopard: In some languages it may not be necessary to repeat the phrase I saw. For example:

This beast looked like a leopard. (New Century Version)

leopard: A leopard is a big cat like a jaguar, tiger, or panther, but smaller. It has tan skin with black spots. They are about 1.5 meters (5 feet) long, excluding the tail. They weigh between 40 and 70 kilograms (90–150 pounds). They eat other animals.

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

• Use the major language word for leopard and perhaps add a descriptive word or phrase. For example:

⌊fierce⌋ leopard/jaguar

• Describe a leopard. For example:

a fierce animal ⌊called a leopard⌋
-or-
a spotted puma/panther/tiger
-or-
a large, fierce cat ⌊called a leopard⌋

But using the word “cat” should not imply that it is about the size of a house cat.

13:2b

with the feet of a bear: A bear’s foot is big and hairy with long claws.

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

• Add a description of the feet. For example:

⌊big, hairy feet with long claws⌋ like those of a bear

• Describe the feet without referring to a bear. For example:

big, hairy feet with long claws

Then you may want to indicate the literal words in a footnote, using the major language word for bear. For example:

Literally: “feet like bear’s feet.”
-or-
Literally: “feet like bear’s feet.” A bear’s foot is big and hairy with long claws.

feet: In some languages it is more natural to use a word that refers to the feet of animals. For example:

paws (New Jerusalem Bible)

13:2c

the mouth of a lion: A lion has a large mouth with sharp teeth. In some languages people are not familiar with lions. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Add a description of the mouth. For example:

⌊large⌋ mouth ⌊with sharp teeth⌋ like that of a lion

• Describe the mouth without referring to a lion. For example:

large mouth with sharp teeth

You may want to explain the literal words in a footnote, using the major language word for lion. For example:

Literally: “a mouth like a lion’s mouth.”
-or-
Literally: “a mouth like a lion’s mouth.” A lion has a large mouth with sharp teeth.

13:2d

And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority: The dragon shared his power, throne, and authority with the beast. For example:

The dragon gave the beast his own power, his throne, and his vast authority (Good News Translation)

power: This word refers to the ability to do something. The dragon was strong and powerful. He caused the beast to become strong and powerful too.

throne: This word refers to the official chair of a king. When the king is seated on his throne, he rules over his people and his country. Therefore, the throne is a symbol for authority to rule. The dragon ruled as king, and he caused the beast to rule also. Other ways to translate this word are:

chair of ruling people
-or-
leader’s place to rule

See how you translated this word at 1:4.

authority: This word refers to having the right and power to control or rule over someone or something. Here the word is general. The dragon had the right and power to do as he wanted. He shared this right and power with the beast.

© 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.