Paragraph 21:6–8

21:6a

It is done!: The Greek clause is literally “(They) have happened.” This clause indicates that all the things that God promised to happen for his people have now happened. Other ways to translate this clause are:

It is finished (New Century Version)
-or-

⌊All⌋ those things have occurred

21:6b

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End: This clause has two titles. The title the Alpha and the Omega and the title the Beginning and the End are similar in meaning. Together they emphasize that God is eternal and controls all that happens in history.

I am the Alpha and the Omega: Alpha is the name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Omega is the name of the last letter of that alphabet. Here the phrase the Alpha and the Omega is used as a title. It is also a figure of speech. So this saying probably indicates that:

(a) God is eternal.

(b) He has authority over the beginning and the end of all things. This implies that everything in between the beginning and the end is also under his authority. He has control over all things and events.

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

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

I am ⌊the One with authority over⌋ the first ⌊things⌋ and the last ⌊things⌋
-or-
I am the One with all authority from start to finish

You may then want to indicate the literal words and their meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “the Alpha and the Omega.” Alpha and Omega are the names of the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This phrase is an idiom. It indicates that God exists eternally and has authority over all things.

• Substitute the first and the last letters of your own alphabet. For example:

I am the A and the Z (God’s Word)

You may then want to indicate the literal words and its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “the Alpha and the Omega.” Alpha and Omega are the names of the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This phrase is an idiom. It indicates that God exists eternally and controls all things.

• Translate the literal meaning and explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

I am the Alpha and the Omega, ⌊which means I am the One with authority over the first things and the last things⌋
-or-
I am the Alpha and the Omega, ⌊that is, the One who is in control from start to finish⌋

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

Alpha and Omega are the names of the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This phrase is an idiom. It indicates that God exists eternally and controls all things.

This title is similar in meaning to the titles “The First and the Last” (1:17, 2:8, 22:13) and “The Beginning and End” (21:6, 22:13). If possible, you should translate the three titles in similar but different ways. This is helpful, because all three titles appear in 22:13.

See how you translated this phrase in 1:8.

the Beginning and the End: The title the Beginning and the End indicates figuratively that God has authority over all things. It is similar in meaning to the title “the Alpha and the Omega.”

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

• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

the Beginning ⌊of all things⌋ and the End ⌊of all things⌋
-or-
the Beginning and the End, ⌊which means I have all authority⌋

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

The saying “the Beginning and the End” indicates that God has authority over all things.

21:6c

To the thirsty I will give freely: The clause I will give freely indicates that God will allow this person to drink. For example:

To anyone who is thirsty I will give the right to drink (Good News Translation)

To the thirsty: God spoke this phrase to anyone who seeks him. For example:

To all who are thirsty (New Living Translation (2004))

freely: This phrase indicates that God gives the right to drink for free. He does not require people to pay something first. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

free (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
without paying for it (Good News Translation)

21:6d

spring: Here the word spring refers to a place where water arises out of the ground.

the water of life: This phrase indicates that the water is a source of eternal life. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

water that gives ⌊eternal⌋ life
-or-
life-giving water

See how you translated a similar phrase in 7:17 (“living water”).

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