Paragraph 22:17

22:17a

The Spirit: This phrase refers to the Holy Spirit. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to someone else. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain its meaning in your translation. For example:

The ⌊Holy⌋ Spirit

bride: This word symbolically refers to believers. They have been made ready to live with Jesus (19:7c–d). You may want to explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The word “bride” refers to all believers. They have been made ready to live with Jesus as a symbolic bride (19:7).

Come: This command in the Greek is singular. It may refer to:

(1) An invitation to anyone seeking God (22:17c). The command invites him/her to come and follow Jesus.

(2) An invitation to Jesus to return.

Translate this word so that it allows both interpretations in your translation. All fifteen English versions in Translator’s Workplace translate the literal meaning. They do not say who is invited to Come.

22:17b

Let the one who hears say, “Come!”: This clause commands anyone who accepts the message of Revelation to give the same invitation as in 22:17a.

the one: Here the words the one refer to any person, whether male or female.

22:17c

And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely: The Greek words are literally “the one thirsting, let him come, the one desiring, let him freely take the water of life.” It repeats the meaning to emphasize it. This is a poetic way to emphasize something. The one who is thirsty is the same person as the one called the one who desires. Coming is the same response as drinking the water of life.

The words of 22:17c are a metaphor. It invites people to believe in Jesus. Other ways to translate these words are:

Then let all who are thirsty come: all who want it may have the water of life, and have it free. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Come, whoever is thirsty; accept the water of life as a gift, whoever wants it. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Whoever is thirsty, let him freely take/drink the water of life. Indeed, whoever desires ⌊to come⌋ , let him come.
-or-
Whoever is thirsty and desires ⌊to come⌋ , let him come and freely take/drink the water of life.

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

• Explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

This sentence invites people to believe in Jesus.

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

Whoever is thirsty, let him come ⌊and believe⌋ ; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
-or-
Whoever desires ⌊life with Jesus⌋ , let him come ⌊and believe⌋ ; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

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 this phrase in 21:6 or 22:1.

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