2:19a
wonders: This word refers to an amazing action or event that indicates something is about to happen. Here are some other ways to translate this word:
omens
-or-
portents (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
events that show that something will happen
the heavens above: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the heavens above refers to the sky here.
signs: Here this word refers to the kinds of miracles which are regarded as having some special meaning. In Matthew 12:38 the Pharisees wanted Jesus to do a special miracle to make it plain that God had sent him. Here are some other ways to translate this word:
miracles ⌊with special meaning⌋
-or-
supernatural occurrences/events ⌊with special meaning⌋
2:19b
blood and fire and billows of smoke: There is a textual issue here.
Many early Greek manuscripts have this phrase.
(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version, English Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, New Century Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition)
Some Greek manuscripts do not have this phrase.
(New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow option (1).
These three things are examples of wonders and signs. For example:
⌊such as⌋ blood and fire and billows of smoke
-or-
⌊for example,⌋ blood and fire and billows of smoke
blood: This may refer to people killing other people or to things that turn the color of blood. Translate this word in a way that allows both meanings.
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