Section 3:7–13

Jesus spoke to the church at Philadelphia

In this section, Jesus spoke to the people who believed in him at Philadelphia. He prophesied that they would have an opportunity to do great things for him. He said that the Jews there would acknowledge that God loves the believers. Jesus then also said that he would protect them from a time of hardship. He encouraged them to remain strong in their faith. Lastly, he gave a promise to any believer who persevered in his faith.

Translate this section heading as you did for the other messages to the churches.

Paragraph 3:7–10

3:7a

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: You should translate this clause in the same way as you did in 3:1. You only need to change the name to Philadelphia.

3:7b–d

These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open: These words are an introduction to the words in 3:8–13. You should translate the phrase These are the words of the One who in a way similar to 3:1.

Jesus spoke these words about himself. He continues to speak in 3:8, 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 am holy and true. I hold the key of David. What I open no one can shut, and what I shut no one can open.

3:7b

the One who is holy and true: The Greek words are literally “the holy one, the true one” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Both phrases are like titles. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

him who is the holy one and the true one
-or-
the holy and true one

holy: Here this word indicates that Jesus is perfect and unique, as God is. He only does what is right. He is different from all other beings because he is perfect and divine. Other ways to translate holy are:

sacred/divine
-or-
pure/perfect ⌊spiritually/morally⌋
-or-
unique/separate

true: Here the word true probably means “genuine” or “without lies.” Other ways to translate this word are:

⌊a man of⌋ truth
-or-

⌊one who speaks⌋ truth

3:7c–8b

These verses contain a metaphor about a key. These verses also contain a metaphor about opening or shutting something. Both metaphors refer to authority. See the notes below for more information.

3:7c

who holds the key of David: The Greek clause is literally “the one having the key of David.” John described Jesus as possessing this key. This clause figuratively represents the idea that he has the authority that the key represents. For example:

who has the key of David (Revised Standard Version)

the key of David: This phrase is a metaphor. The word key refers to authority. As King David had authority over the kingdom of God’s people, so Jesus also has authority over the kingdom. Jesus fulfills the prophecies that God gave about David’s descendant and heir. Jesus has the right to rule as that descendant.

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

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

the key of ⌊authority over⌋ David’s ⌊kingdom⌋
-or-
the key of David, ⌊namely, authority over his kingdom⌋

• Translate the meaning without the symbol. For example:

full authority over David’s kingdom
-or-
the right to rule as king in David’s line/place

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

Literally: “the key of David.” This phrase refers to authority to rule.

• Translate literally and explain the Greek words in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The “key of David” refers to authority to rule God’s kingdom. God promised to David that his descendant would rule over that kingdom.

David: David was the second king of Israel. He lived about a thousand years before Revelation was written. He was faithful to God, and God promised him that someone from his family would reign forever (2 Samuel 7:16, Isaiah 9:6–7).

In some languages it will be helpful to say that David was the king of Israel, God’s people. For example:

⌊King⌋ David
-or-
David ⌊the former/ancient king of Israel⌋
-or-

⌊King⌋ David ⌊who ruled God’s people⌋ ⌊long ago⌋

3:7d

What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open: 3:7d continues describing Jesus. He has full authority. Once he decides something, no one can change that decision. The New Revised Standard Version follows the Greek word order and Greek grammar:

who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens

As in the above example, the Greek words are not a new sentence here. But in some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

opens…shuts: These verses do not say what Jesus opens and shuts. The word “doors” is probably implied, as in 3:8b.

In some languages it is more natural to include the implied information in your translation. For example:

When he opens a door, no one can close it. And when he closes it, no one can open it. (New Century Version)

The words of 3:7d refers figuratively to authority. It probably refers specifically to the authority to let people enter through the door. Jesus makes all decisions about who can enter the kingdom of God’s people.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to opening and closing physical doors. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

⌊He is sovereign, and so⌋ when he opens the door ⌊of/to the kingdom⌋ , no one can shut it, and when he shuts the door, no one can open it.

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

This saying indicates that Jesus allows some people to enter his kingdom and prevents others from doing so. ⌊He is sovereign, and⌋ he alone decides.

© 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 5:6–14

Many people praised the Lamb

In this section, John described the one who was worthy to open the seals. He was like a lamb that had been killed. John also described those who worshiped the lamb. Then he wrote what they said.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Every being/person praised the Lamb
-or-
Worship of the Lamb that was slain
-or-
The Lamb is praised/worshiped

Paragraph 5:6–10

5:6a

Lamb: This word refers to a young sheep. Here, it is used as a title for Jesus. Jewish people killed a lamb at the Passover as a sacrifice to God. The lamb has symbolic meaning as a special sacrifice and is a symbol for the Christ. Jesus was killed at Passover, and he died as a sacrifice to God. Many English versions capitalize the word Lamb here to indicate it is used as a title.

In some languages readers would not clearly understand a literal translation of this word as a title. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in a footnote that it is a title for Jesus as the Christ. An example footnote is:

This word is a symbolic title for Jesus.

In some languages it will be helpful to explain the title in a footnote. Example footnotes are:

This word is a symbolic title for Jesus. It indicates that he was like the lambs that the Jewish people sacrificed to God at every Passover feast. Like those lambs, he died at Passover as a sacrifice to God.
-or-
This title indicates that Jesus was like the lambs that the Jewish people sacrificed to God at every Passover feast. Like those lambs, he died at Passover as a sacrifice to God.

In some languages people are not familiar with sheep and lambs, so you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

a young ⌊tame animal called⌋ a sheep
-or-
the Passover sacrifice animal

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

The word “Lamb” refers to the young of an animal called a sheep. The Jews sacrificed a lamb at every Passover feast.

You may then want to include all or part of the example footnotes above which explain the title rather than two separate footnotes on the same word.

who appeared to have been slain: This phrase indicates that the Lamb had in fact been killed, but it was now alive again. It probably implies that the Lamb still had the marks that showed that he had been killed. Perhaps it had wounds or scars. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

looked as if it had once been killed (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
appeared to have been killed (Good News Translation)

have been slain: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊they⌋ had killed it/him

5:6b–c

standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders: The Greek words are literally “standing in the middle/midst of the throne and the four living creatures, and in the middle/midst of the elders.” The words probably indicate that the Lamb was standing very near the throne. The four living creatures stood around the throne and the Lamb. The elders then surrounded the Lamb, the throne, and the four living creatures. For example:

near the throne, and the four living creatures were there also, and the elders surrounded them all

These clauses do not mean that the Lamb was “on” the throne or “at” the throne. The Lamb comes to the throne in 5:7.

throne: This word refers to the official chair of a king or leader. The word throne is a symbol for authority to rule. See how you translated this word in 4:4.

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.

the elders: Here the word elders refers to those who have authority. These twenty-four people (or angels) were leaders. They had God as their leader. See how you translated this word in 4:4.

5:6d

seven horns: Here the word horns refers to the horns on an animal’s head. Horns are a symbol of strength.

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

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

Horns are a symbol of strength.

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

seven horns ⌊symbolizing his great power⌋

seven: The number seven is symbolic of completeness or perfection. The fact that the Lamb had seven horns indicated that its power was perfect, just like God’s power is perfect.

5:6e

which represent the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth: This clause tells the reader more about the seven eyes of 5:6d. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other groups of seven eyes and only this one is the seven Spirits of God. If that is true in your language, translate these words so that they tell more about the seven eyes of 5:6d. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

These are the seven spirits of God sent by him into all the earth.
-or-
His seven eyes mean the Seven Spirits of God that he commands to go to the whole world.

the seven Spirits of God sent out: The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the seven spirits of God ⌊that he⌋ sent

the seven Spirits of God: Many scholars believe that the phrase the seven Spirits is a symbolic reference 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 or 4:5.

into all the earth: This phrase indicates that God sent the Holy Spirit all over the whole earth. For example:

into every part of the earth

© 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.

7:10a

And they cried out in a loud voice: Here this clause indicates that these people shouted loudly because they felt very strongly about what they were saying. They strongly desired to praise God and Jesus. Another way to translate this clause is:

they shouted (Contemporary English Version)

The Greek grammar probably indicates that they shouted the words of 7:10b–d repeatedly. For example:

they were shouting with a mighty shout (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
they chanted loudly

7:10b

Salvation to our God: This clause indicates that God is the source of salvation. For example:

Salvation comes from our God…! (Good News Translation)
-or-
Our God…has the power to save his people (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The one who saved us, it is our God
-or-
Concerning our God…, he is the one who saved us.

Salvation: This noun refers to the event of someone rescuing another person. God saves people. Here it may refer to saving people from hell, or the terrible things in this book or something else. If possible, do not say what people are saved from.

In some languages it is more natural to translate Salvation using a verb. For example:

Our God has the power to save
-or-
Our God has made the way to save us!

In some languages it is necessary to say whom God saves. For example:

Our God …has the power to save his people (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Our God is the one who saves ⌊us (incl.)⌋ !

In some languages it is necessary to say what God saves people from. If that is true in your language, refer in a general manner to death or danger. For example:

Saving ⌊people⌋ ⌊from death⌋

7:10c

who sits on the throne: The clause who sits on the throne indicates that God rules as king.

In some languages translating the purpose of the throne is more natural. For example:

who rules as king ⌊over everything⌋

This clause tells the reader more about God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other gods and, only this one sits on the throne. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about God. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

He sits on the throne ⌊as king⌋

throne: See how you translated this word at 3:21 or 4:9.

7:10d

and to the Lamb: Here, this phrase indicates that salvation also belongs to the Lamb. That is, Jesus and God together are the source of salvation. In some languages it is more natural to repeat some information in 7:10b. For example:

and ⌊salvation also belongs⌋ to the Lamb!
-or-
and the Lamb has ⌊the power to save⌋ !

© 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 9:13–16

9:13a

the sixth: This refers to the next item after five other things. If counted, this item would be counted as number six. See how you translated this word in 6:12.

9:13b

I heard a voice: In some languages hearing a voice is not natural. For example:

I heard words
-or-
I heard someone speaking

9:13c

the four horns: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some manuscripts have the four horns. For example:

the four horns (Revised Standard Version)

(2) Some manuscripts have the horns. For example:

the horns (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Handbook Greek NT editors decided that option (1) was more likely.

horns: Here the word horns refers to the raised corners at the top of the altar. For example:

a voice coming from the four corners of the gold altar (Good News Translation)

altar: On earth, an altar is a platform on which people offer sacrifices or gifts to God. This altar is golden, like the small altar for burning incense in the Jewish Temple. But this altar is in heaven in John’s vision. Translate this word as you did in 6:9 or 8:3.

© 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.

Paragraph 11:13

11:13a

And in that hour: The earthquake probably occurred immediately after the two witnesses ascended to heaven. For example:

Just then (NET Bible)

there was a great earthquake: The Greek clause is literally “a great earthquake occurred.” In some languages it is more natural to follow the literal Greek. For example:

a great/big earthquake came/shook

11:13b

and a tenth of the city collapsed: The context implies that the earthquake caused a tenth of the city to collapse. For example:

13a there was a terrible earthquake 13b that destroyed a tenth of the city (Contemporary English Version)

and: The Good News Translation omits this conjunction and uses the semi-colon (;) to imply that the earthquake caused a tenth of the city to collapse:

13a there was a violent earthquake; 13b a tenth of the city was destroyed

a tenth of the city collapsed: This clause indicates that one of every ten buildings broke and fell. Other ways to translate this clause are:

one part in ten ⌊parts⌋ of the city collapsed
-or-
one of every ten buildings in the city collapsed
-or-
one part of the city collapsed and nine parts not

11:13c

Seven thousand were killed in the quake: This clause is passive. Some languages must use a active or intransitive clause. For example:

The earthquake killed seven thousand people
-or-
The earthquake caused seven thousand people to die
-or-
Seven thousand people died because of the earthquake

11:13d

the rest: This phrase refers to the people in the city who did not die because of the earthquake. For example:

The rest of the people (Good News Translation)
-or-
the survivors (New International Version)

were terrified: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were terrified is literally “became afraid.” For example:

were frightened (Contemporary English Version)

11:13e

gave glory to the God of heaven: This phrase indicates that the people honored God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

praised the greatness of the God of heaven (Good News Translation)
-or-
acknowledged the glory of the God of Heaven (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
glorified/praised the God of heaven

the God of heaven: This phrase refers to the true God. The phrase of heaven indicates that he is not one of the gods or idols whom people have invented on their own. Heaven is where the true God lives and rules from. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the God who lives in heaven
-or-
the God who rules in heaven (Contemporary English 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.

13:8a–c

And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written…: All of 13:8b–c explains the meaning of the phrase all who dwell on the earth. Here it refers to all people except believers. The names of believers were written in the Book of Life. For example:

All people living on earth will worship it, except those whose names were written… (Good News Translation)

13:8a

who dwell on the earth: The word who dwell refers to people living somewhere. These people who dwell lived on the earth. So this phrase refers to all people alive, except believers (13:8b–c).

13:8b

all whose names have not been written: The clause whose names have not been written is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. Probably Jesus wrote the names, because this book is his. For example:

all whose names that ⌊the Lamb⌋ has not written
-or-
all whose names were not

from the foundation of the world: This phrase refers to when God wrote some names but did not write these names.

from: In other occurrences of the phrase “from the creation” in the NT, the word from indicates that the event in those verses occurred at or before creation. So it is likely here that these names were written at or before creation. Therefore, some English versions use “before” to be more clear here. For example:

before the foundation of the world (Revised Standard Version)

the foundation of the world: This phrase uses the noun foundation to describe an event. Some ways to translate it are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

the world was created

• Use an active clause. For example:

⌊God/he⌋ created the world

• Translate without using a verb. For example:

the founding/beginning of the world

world: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as world here probably refers to all created things. For example:

universe
-or-
all that God created
-or-
creation (Contemporary English Version)

the Book of Life: This phrase refers to a Book that has the names of people to whom God will give eternal Life. Some languages need to explain the word of. For example:

the book ⌊in which are the names⌋ of ⌊those who have⌋ ⌊eternal⌋ life
-or-
the book ⌊with/having the names⌋ of ⌊those to whom God will give⌋ ⌊eternal⌋ life

See how you translated this phrase in 3:5.

13:8c

the Lamb who was slain: The clause who was slain tells the reader more about the Lamb. The phrase the Lamb here is the symbolic title for Jesus. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other people with the symbolic title the Lamb. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the Lamb. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

the Lamb. He was slain.
-or-
the Lamb. He was killed ⌊on the cross⌋ .
-or-
the Lamb. He was killed ⌊but he lives again⌋ .

the Lamb: This is a title for Jesus. Jewish people killed a lamb at the Passover as a sacrifice to God. The lamb has symbolic meaning as a special sacrifice and is a symbol for the Christ. See how you translated this title in 5:6 or 7:14.

who was slain: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. Here it is not important to indicate who killed the Lamb. For example:

the Lamb whom ⌊people/they⌋ killed

General Comment on 13:8b–c

There are four things said here:

(a) Some people’s names were written in the Book of Life and some people’s names were not written in it.

(b) The names were written before God made the universe.

(c) That Book of Life belongs to the Lamb.

(d) The Lamb was slain.

In some languages it is more natural to use another sentence or several sentences for some of this information. For example:

all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life before the creation of the world. That book belongs to the Lamb that was slain.
-or-
all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life. That book is the Lamb’s book. He wrote the names in it before the creation of the world. He was slain ⌊but he lives again⌋ .

© 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 15:2–4

15:2a

something like a sea of glass mixed with fire: The thing that John saw looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire.

a sea of glass mixed with fire: The fire was probably mixed into the sea of glass. The fire was not on top of the sea of glass. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

a glassy sea blended/combined with fire
-or-
a glass sea having fire mixed into it

The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. Probably God or someone whom God sent mixed it. For example:

a sea of glass that ⌊God/someone had⌋ mixed with fire
-or-
a sea of glass that had fire throughout it

a sea of glass: This phrase refers to a large flat area. It was smooth and shiny like glass, not hilly or bumpy. See how you translated this phrase in 4:6.

mixed: The Greek grammar indicates that the fire was already mixed with the sea of glass when John saw it.

15:2b

beside which stood: There are two ways to interpret the Greek preposition that the Berean Standard Bible translates as beside :

(1) It means beside. For example:

standing by (Good News Translation)

(2) It means on. For example:

standing on (New American Standard Bible)

(New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, King James Version).

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name: This phrase describes those standing beside the sea. The Berean Standard Bible emphasizes the phrase in English by placing it after the verb “stood.” The Greek does not have an emphasized phrase. For example,

And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Then I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. I also saw those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and over the one whose name is represented by a number. They were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps that God had given them (Good News Translation)

those who had conquered: These believers had conquered because they did not submit to the beast. They remained faithful to Jesus even when the beast tortured or killed them. The believers were not victorious because they had won a battle.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to fighting. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

those who had conquered ⌊by remaining faithful to Jesus⌋
-or-
those who had been conquerors ⌊in their faith⌋

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

These believers had conquered because they did not submit to the beast. They remained faithful to Jesus, even if the beast tried to make them disown Jesus.

the beast and its image and the number of its name:
These are the three things that the believers were victorious over. They did not submit to the beast. They did not submit to his statue. They also did not allow anyone to put the number of his name on their forehead or hand.

15:2c

harps from God: The Greek phrase is literally “harps of God.” This phrase probably indicates that God gave the harps. For example:

harps from God (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Berean Standard Bible clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

harps that God had given to them

harps: A harp is a stringed instrument. See how you translated harps in 5:8 or 14:2.

© 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.

17:5a–c

And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH: The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions write this title with all capital letters. Other English versions capitalize the first letter of each word. Write this title as a name or title in your language.

17:5a

And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: There are two ways to interpret how the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mysterious is used:

(1) It describes the name or title on her forehead. The name was mysterious or secret. For example:

on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, (New American Standard Bible)

(2) It is itself part of the name or title. For example:

upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY (King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Other ways to translate this interpretation are:

On her forehead a mysterious name was written: (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: (NET Bible)
-or-
On her forehead was written a name that has a secret meaning: (Good News Translation)

on her forehead a mysterious name was written: The Greek grammar indicates that the writing was already there when John saw the woman. The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

⌊someone⌋ had written a name on her forehead
-or-
On her forehead were these words:
-or-
A name/title was on her forehead:

If you translate following the last two examples, your translation should imply that the title was written.

mysterious: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mysterious refers to truth or knowledge that people have not discovered on their own. Someone else reveals it to them.

The name is told in 17:5b–c. So the mystery is probably that this particular name had not been told before. It is not explained here. People will have to read the name and try to understand its meaning. Other ways to translate this word are:

a name of mystery: (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
a name that has a secret meaning: (Good News Translation)

Also see how you translated this word in 1:20.

17:5b

BABYLON: The name of this woman is BABYLON. It is used in the same way in 14:8 and 16:19.

THE GREAT: This word means “important” or “well-known” here. It does not indicate that Babylon was good or noble in any way. See how you translated this word in 16:19 or possibly 17:1.

THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES: This phrase indicates figuratively that the woman is the origin of all those who do prostitution. Here prostitution refers figuratively to worshiping idols and being unfaithful to God.

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

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

This phrase indicates figuratively that Babylon began the practices/ways of idolatry. She encouraged others to be unfaithful to God.

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

The Originator of Prostitutes

PROSTITUTES: Here this word implies seduction, immorality, greed, and immoral selling practices, as well as other shameful deeds. See how you translated this word in 17:1.

17:5c

AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH: The word “mother” is implied from 17:5b but not repeated here. The woman began the ABOMINATIONS and other people followed her in those sins. In some languages it is more natural to repeat the meaning of the word “mother” here. For example:

Mother of the Abominations of the Earth
-or-
Originator of the Abominations of the Earth

ABOMINATIONS: This word refers to deeds that are detestable or very awful. The word refers figuratively to the woman’s sinful life and deeds. Other ways to translate this word are:

Obscenities (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
detestable things (NET Bible)

See how you translated this word in 17:4 (“abominations”).

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