SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 14:12

Paragraph 14:12

14:12a

Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints: The Greek words are literally “Here is the patient endurance of the saints.” Since those evil things will happen, believers should patiently endure. They should persevere when they suffer for Christ. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
This requires the steadfast endurance of the saints (NET Bible)
-or-
In this situation God’s holy people…need endurance (God’s Word)

See how you translated this phrase in 13:10.

the perseverance: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the perseverance refers to continuing to follow God during hardships or opposition. The attitude of patience is included in the meaning. Other ways to translate the Greek word are:

patient endurance (New International Version)
-or-
patience to continue

See how you translated this Greek word in 1:9 or 13:10.

the saints: This indicates that the saints are to patiently endure when they are persecuted.

saints: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saints means “holy ones.” The word refers to all believers still alive on the earth. For example:

God’s people (Good News Translation)

See how you translated this word in 5:8 or 13:7.

14:12b

who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus: This clause tells the reader more about the saints in 14:12a. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that some saints obey God’s commandments and others do not. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about all the saints. For example:

namely, those who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful

Another way to do that is to start a new sentence here:

They obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

who keep…the faith of Jesus: This clause probably refers to continuing to follow Jesus. Other ways to translate this clause are:

who…are faithful to Jesus (Good News Translation)
-or-
keep their faith in Jesus (New Century Version)
-or-
who…remain loyal to Jesus (Revised English Bible)

the commandments of God: The word commandments refers in general to the commands that God has given. In some languages it is necessary or more natural to use a verb. For example:

what God commanded them to do

General Comment on 14:12a–b

In some languages it is more natural to translate the description of the saints first. For example:

The saints, 12b all who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus, 12a need patient endurance.

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