SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020 – Page 49

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:6

22:6a

Then the angel: This is the same angel as in 21:9a and 22:1a.

These words: This phrase refers to everything revealed to John. For example:

Everything you have heard (New Living Translation (2004))

faithful: This word refers to something that someone can depend on. What God said will certainly happen. Other ways to translate this word are:

reliable (NET Bible)
-or-
can be trusted (Good News Translation)

See how you translated this word in 21:5.

22:6b

The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets:
The phrase the God of the spirits of the prophets describes the phrase The Lord. For example:

the Lord God who inspires the prophets (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
God the Lord speaks to the spirits of his prophets, and

the God of the spirits of the prophets: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the God of :

(1) It indicates that God has a relationship with the spirits of the prophets. He gives messages to the prophets. For example:

God, who inspires his prophets (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It indicates that God gives the Holy Spirit to the prophets. For example:

God, who gives his Spirit to the prophets (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek word for spirits is plural, so it probably refers to the spirits of the prophets. Other ways to translate this phrase according to interpretation (1) are:

the God who speaks to the spirits of the prophets
-or-
the God who is connected to the spirits of the prophets

prophets: The prophets are people to whom God gives a message. The message (often called a “prophecy”) may include a vision, as in Ezekiel 1 and Daniel 8. The message, called a prophecy, may reveal something about past events, current events, or future events. The prophet speaks God’s message to the people or writes it down for their use. See how you translated this word in 10:7 or 18:20.

His angel: This phrase may refer to the angel of 1:1 or it may refer to the angel of 4:1. You should translate this phrase without describing to which angel this phrase refers.

22:6c

His servants: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servants can also be translated as “slaves.” Here the phrase refers to believers serving God. The difference between “slaves” and “servants” is not important here. See how you translated the word servants in 22:3.

what must soon take place: This phrase refers to all the events that are revealed in this book. For example:

what must happen very soon (Good News Translation)

See how you translated a similar phrase in 1:1 (“what must soon come to pass”).

must: Here the word must indicates that the events are required to happen. God has decided that these events will happen, and he will not change his mind. Other ways to translate this word are:

will necessarily
-or-
has been determined to

take place: The words take place mean “happen” (as in the Good News Translation).

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:7

Paragraph 22:7

22:7a–b

“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.”: The Greek does not say who spoke these words. There are several interpretations:

(1) Jesus spoke the words in 22:7a–b. For example:

“Listen!” says Jesus. “I am coming soon! Happy are those who obey the prophetic words in this book!” (Good News Translation)

(2) The angel also spoke the words in 22:7a and John wrote the words in 22:7b. For example:

6c to show his servants what must soon take place. 7a And behold, I am coming soon.” 7b Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. (Revised Standard Version)

(3) The angel also spoke the words in 22:7a–b. For example:

6c to show his servants the things that must happen soon. 7a I’m coming soon! 7b Blessed is the one who follows the words of the prophecy in this book.” (God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

The Greek and the Berean Standard Bible do not introduce the new speaker. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the angel spoke these words. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Indicate who spoke in your translation. For example:

⌊Jesus said,⌋ “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.”

• Explain who spoke in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Jesus probably said this.

22:7a

Behold: This word means “look.” The word emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. It is not a command to look at something. Other ways to translate this word are:

Look (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Listen (Good News Translation)
-or-
Indeed/Hey

I am coming soon: This clause refers to Jesus returning to his people on earth. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as soon can also mean “without delay” or “quickly.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

I am coming quickly (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I am coming without delay

See how you translated this clause in 3:11.

22:7b

Blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Blessed describes a person who is in a good situation. In the Bible, the good situation results from God showing favor/kindness to the person. Other ways to translate this word are:

Favored
-or-
How good it is
-or-
In a good/desirable position ⌊in God’s eyes⌋
-or-
Shown kindness ⌊by God⌋

See how you translated this word in 1:3 or 20:6.

keeps the words of prophecy in this book: Here, the word keeps refers to following what was said and valuing it. Believers follow the words of this book and value it. Other ways to translate this clause are:

values the words of the prophecy in this book
-or-
obey the prophetic words in this book (Good News Translation)

prophecy: The word prophecy refers to a message that God gives to someone. The message may include a vision, as in Ezekiel 1 and Daniel 8. A prophecy may reveal something about past events, current events, or future events. The prophet speaks the prophecy to the people or writes it for their use.

See how you translated this word in 1:3 or 19:10.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:8

Paragraph 22:8–9

22:8a–b

I am John, who heard and saw these things: John referred to himself by name here in order to make it clear that he spoke for himself. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I, John, have heard and seen all these things (Good News Translation)
-or-
I ⌊am⌋ John, I myself heard and saw those things

I am John: The pronoun I is emphasized in the Greek.

these things: This phrase refers to all that John had just seen about the new Jerusalem. However, it can also refer to all the visions that he saw in this book.

22:8c

I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel: Here the phrase fell down refers to kneeling and putting the face to the ground with arms outstretched toward someone. This position showed complete humility before that person and honored him. The word fell implies a quick and complete action. It does not refer to accidentally falling. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I prostrated myself before him
-or-
I threw myself down to worship at the feet of the angel (NET Bible)
-or-
I knelt at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me, to worship him (New Jerusalem Bible)

See how you translated a similar clause (“I fell at his feet to worship him”) in 19:10.

worship: This word refers to honoring someone or something as sacred/divine. Other ways to translate this word are:

venerate
-or-
revere

See how you translated this word in 13:4 or 19:10.

In some languages it is helpful to make it clear that John was about to worship the angel. For example:

and I was about to worship him (Good News Translation)

22:8d

who had shown me these things: This clause tells the reader more about the angel. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there were other angels in front of John and only this one had shown the visions to John. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the angel. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

He had showed them to me.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:9

22:9a

Do not do that!: The angel commanded John not to worship him. Other ways to translate this clause are:

You must not do that! (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Do not worship me!

See how you translated this clause in 19:10.

22:9b

I am a fellow servant with you: This clause indicates that the angel served God just as John served God. They both did what God told them to do. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I am a servant together with you (Good News Translation)
-or-
I serve God just as you serve him

See how you translated this clause in 19:10.

22:9c–e

your brothers the prophets: The phrase the prophets indicates that the angel was referring to believers who were prophets. They are John’s brothers because both they and John believe in Jesus. The word brothers refers to both men and women here. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

your brother and sister prophets
-or-
your fellow believers who are prophets

See how you translated the word prophets in 22:6.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:10

Paragraph 22:10–11

22:10a–b

Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book: The phrase seal up refers to putting a seal on something. Here a seal would prevent others from reading the book. The angel wanted John to let others know what was in the book. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

do not prevent others from knowing the words of the prophecy of this book
-or-
Share the words of the prophecy of this book, do not hide them
-or-
Do not keep secret the words of prophecy in this book (New Century Version)

See how you translated the word “sealed” in 5:1.

the words of prophecy in this book: This phrase indicates that this book contained the words of prophecy to which the angel referred. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the prophetic words in this book (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the words of the prophecy of this scroll (New International Version (2011))

See how you translated this phrase in 22:7.

22:10c

the time is near: This clause indicates that the things in this revelation will happen soon. For example:

the time is near ⌊when these things will happen⌋

See how you translated this clause in 1:3.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:11

22:11a

Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous: This command is to everyone who is a wrongdoer. In some languages using plural forms is more natural. For example:

Those who do what is wrong/evil, continue doing what is wrong/evil!

the unrighteous: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the unrighteous refers to someone who does things that God says are not right to do. For example:

the one who is doing harm (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
whoever is doing evil (New Century Version)
-or-
He that is unjust (King James Version)

22:11b

the vile continue to be vile: This command is to everyone who is vile. Translate this clause in a similar way to 22:11. For example:

Those who are vile continue being vile!

vile: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as vile refers to deeds that are morally bad or wrong. Other ways to translate this word are:

morally filthy (NET Bible)
-or-
impure mind
-or-
immoral
-or-
dirty-minded (Contemporary English Version)

22:11c

let the righteous continue to practice righteousness: The phrase the righteous indicates that the deeds of these people are upright and good in God’s eyes. Other ways to translate this clause are:

let the good persevere in their goodness (Revised English Bible)
-or-
The one who is righteous must continue to act righteously (NET Bible)

22:11d

holy: Here the word holy refers to being set apart for special service to God. Here it probably also implies being without sin. Other ways to translate this word are:

devoted to God
-or-
set apart for God
-or-
pure/blemishless/sinless

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:12

Paragraph 22:12–13

22:12–16

There are several ways to interpret who spoke these verses:

(1) 22:12–16 are the words of Jesus. For example, the God’s Word says:

12 “I’m coming soon! I will bring my reward with me to pay all people based on what they have done. 13 I am the A and the Z, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are dogs, sorcerers, sexual sinners, murderers, idolaters, and all who lie in what they say and what they do.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give this testimony to you for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David. I am the bright morning star.”

(2) 22:12,13 are the words of someone, probably Jesus ; 22:14,15 are the words of John ; and 22:16 are the words of Jesus. For example, the English Standard Version says:

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

(3) 22:12–15 are the words of the angel, and 22:16 are the words of Jesus. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible says:

…holy. 12 Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay everyone as their deeds deserve. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who will have washed their robes clean, so that they will have the right to feed on the tree of life and can come through the gates into the city. 15 Others must stay outside: dogs, fortune–tellers, and the sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and everyone of false speech and false life.’

16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the sake of the churches. I am the sprig from the root of David and the bright star of the morning.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because there is no sign in the Greek that the speaker changes in 22:14 (interpretation 2), and 22:12–13 are more appropriate coming from Jesus than from the angel (22:9–11).

22:12a

Behold: This word means “look.” The word emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. It is not a command to look at something. See how you translated this word in 22:7.

I am coming soon: This clause refers to Jesus coming back to his people on earth. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as soon can also mean “without delay” or “quickly.” See how you translated this clause in 22:7.

22:12b

My reward is with Me: This clause indicates that Jesus is ready to give a reward. For example:

I will bring my reward with me (New Century Version)

My reward: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as reward refers to both benefits and punishment. If possible, use a word that refers to both. In some languages two words are needed to refer to both benefits and punishment. For example:

My reward and my punishment

In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate the noun reward as a verb or verbs. For example:

I will reward and I will punish

22:12c

to give to each one according to what he has done: This clause indicates that Jesus will both reward good deeds and punish bad deeds. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I will give to each person as his deeds deserve
-or-
I will repay all people according to what they have done

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 22:13

22:13a–c

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End: These three titles are similar in meaning. Together they emphasize the similar meaning of the titles.

22:13a

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. It indicates that Jesus is eternal and has authority over all things. See how you translated this phrase in 1:8 or 21:6.

22:13b

the First and the Last: The title the First and the Last indicates that Jesus existed before all things and will exist after everything in this world ends. This title implies that he is therefore greater than anything and has authority over everything. It is similar in meaning to the title “the Alpha and the Omega.”

If possible, you should translate this title in a different way than the title “the Alpha and the Omega,” because both appear here. See how you translated this phrase in 1:17 or 2:8.

22:13c

the Beginning and the End: The title the Beginning and the End indicates figuratively that Jesus is eternal and has authority over all things. It is similar in meaning to the two previous titles (22:13a–b).

If possible, you should translate this title in a different way than either of those titles. See how you translated this phrase in 21:6.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2020