Paragraph 22:14–15

22:14a

Blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Blessed describes a person who is a good situation. In the Bible, the good situation results from God showing favor/kindness to the person. See how you translated this word in 22:7.

those who wash their robes:
This phrase refers figuratively to becoming clean from their sins. The blood of Jesus cleansed them (7:14).

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

• Explain the figurative meaning in your translation. For example:

those who wash their robes, ⌊that is, become clean⌋ ⌊from their sins⌋

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

those who become clean ⌊from their sins⌋

You may then want to indicate the literal phrase in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “those who wash their robes.”

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

This refers figuratively to becoming clean from their sins.

See how you translated a similar phrase (“have washed their robes”) in 7:14.

wash their robes: This phrase implies that the robes were dirty. For example:

wash their robes clean (Good News Translation)

22:14b

so that: The conjunction so that introduces the result of washing their robes. Other ways to translate this word are:

and so (Good News Translation)
-or-
that (New International Version)

they may have the right to the tree of life: This clause indicates that the people who wash their robes have permission or the privilege to eat the fruit of the tree of life. Other ways to translate this clause are:

will be permitted to…eat the fruit from the tree of life (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They shall be free to eat from the tree of life (Revised English Bible)

the tree of life: This phrase indicates that the tree is a source of life. Those who eat the fruit will have eternal life. For example:

life-giving tree

See how you translated this phrase in 2:7 or 22:2.

22:14c

may enter the city by its gates: The people who wash their robes will be able to enter the city. For example:

may go through the gates into the city (New International Version)

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Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

22:15a

But outside: The word outside refers to everything that is outside of the city. It indirectly refers to those who are not a part of the group whom God has blessed.

the dogs: This word refers figuratively to people who do perverted or vile things. In some languages the word dogs does not have that figurative meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

perverts (Good News Translation)
-or-
the depraved (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
those who do vile/abominable things

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

Here the word “dogs” refers figuratively to people who do perverted or vile things.

the sorcerers: This phrase refers to people who do sorcery or magic. The word “sorcery” refers to any method used to get something by supernatural means. This could include using spells, magic potions, and contacting evil spirits. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

those who practice magic arts (New International Version)
-or-
those who do sorcery or magic

See how you translated this phrase in 21:8.

22:15b

the sexually immoral: This phrase refers to people who have sexual relations with anyone who is not their spouse. This phrase refers to both men and women. Use a word or phrase that refers to all kinds of sexual sin. For example:

adulterers/fornicators
-or-
those who sin sexually

See how you translated this phrase in 21:8.

the murderers: This phrase refers to people who kill others deliberately and unlawfully. See how you translated this phrase in 21:8.

the idolaters: This phrase refers to people who consider certain images or statues to be gods or representations of gods. They worship and pray to them. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

those who worship idols (Good News Translation)
-or-
worshipers of false gods

See how you translated this phrase in 21:8.

22:15c

everyone who loves and practices falsehood: The word falsehood refers to purposely deceiving people. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

everyone who loves and practices lying (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
all who love to tell lies and do so all the time

practices falsehood: Here this phrase indicates that they have the habit of telling lies.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 22:16

22:16a–b

to give you this testimony: The Greek phrase is literally “to testify these things to you.” The word “testify” means “to tell/report what one saw.” The word is often used when the person speaking is expected to be truthful and accurate. The angel showed everything in Revelation to John. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

faithfully report these things to you
-or-
accurately explain those things to you

for the churches: Here the word for means “for the benefit of.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

for the sake of the churches (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
on behalf of the churches

churches: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as churches refers generally to gatherings of people. Someone summoned the people for a particular purpose. Here, as almost always in the NT, it refers to groups of believers. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

congregations
-or-
groups of believers
-or-
gatherings of believers

See how you translated this word in 1:4.

22:16c

the Root and the Offspring of David: This phrase combines two symbolic titles for Jesus. Jesus is the Root…of David, as in 5:5b. He is also the Offspring of David. This second title indicates that Jesus is the promised descendant of King David who saved his people. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

I am the root and the descendant of David (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I am both the Shoot of David and the heir to his throne

the Root…of David: Here the word Root probably refers to a shoot that grows from the root of a plant when the main plant has been cut off. This phrase is a combination of Isaiah 11:1 and 11:10. This title refers to the promised leader of God’s people who was to be a descendant of David.

In some languages the meaning of the Root…of David is not clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

the ⌊special/unique⌋ Descendant of David
-or-
the ⌊promised⌋ Heir of David
-or-
the one who renews/restores David’s kingship

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

This phrase is a combination of Isaiah 11:1 and 11:10. It indicates that Jesus was the promised leader of God’s people who was to be a descendant of David.

Translate this phrase as you did in 5:5.

22:16d

the bright Morning Star:
This title is a symbol for the Christ, perhaps based on Numbers 24:17. You may want to explain the symbolic meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The “Morning Star” is a symbol for the Christ here.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

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.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 22:18–19

22:18a

I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: The warning is told in 22:18b–19c. The Berean Standard Bible indicates that the warning is told after this clause by using a colon (:) at the end of the clause. Other ways to translate the clause are:

Here is my warning for everyone who hears the prophecies in this book: (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
My warning to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book is this :

I: Here, this pronoun probably refers to John. For example:

I, John, (Good News Translation)

testify: The word testify refers to saying something that is truthful and accurate. Here the word indicates that people should accept the warnings spoken in 22:18b–19c. For example:

solemnly declare (New Living Translation (2004))

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. This word refers to 2:1–22:16 here. See how you translated this word in 22:7.

22:18b

If anyone adds to them: This clause refers to changing the meaning of anything that John had written in this book either by:

(a) adding words that he had not written,

(b) adding meanings that he did not intend.

John wanted his readers to teach and copy his visions and prophecies exactly as he had written them.

Other ways to translate this clause are:

If anyone adds anything to what is written here (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
If anyone adds to these words (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

22:18c

God will add to him the plagues described in this book: The phrase add to him the plagues indicates what God will do to anyone who adds to the book of Revelation. He will cause the plagues described in this book to happen to that person.

The word add poetically connects this clause with 22:18b. If possible, use the word add here as well. For example:

God will add the plagues described in this book ⌊to his woes/troubles⌋ .

the plagues described in this book: The Greek words are literally “the plagues having been written in this book.” This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:

the plagues which ⌊I⌋ wrote in this book
-or-
the plagues in this book

plagues: This word refers to disasters that harm a lot of people. It can refer to diseases that kill many people. It can refer to locusts that damage many crops.

Some languages do not have a general word such as plagues for that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may need to use a descriptive phrase. For example:

things that cause much suffering

See how you translated the word plagues in 6:8 or 15:1.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

22:19a

And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy: This clause refers to changing the meaning of anything that John had written by:

(a) removing words that he had written,

(b) denying the truth of any meaning in it.

Other ways to translate this clause are:

if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
if anyone removes any truth from this book of prophecy

22:19b

God will take away: The phrase take away poetically connects this clause with 22:19a. If possible, use the phrase take away here as well.

share: The word share refers to a part or portion of something. This person will not receive the privilege of eating the fruit from the tree of life. In other words, he will not receive eternal life. Other ways to translate this word are:

portion (God’s Word)
-or-

⌊shared⌋ right/privilege

the tree of life:
This phrase indicates that the tree is a source of eternal life. See how you translated this phrase in 22:14.

General Comment on 22:18b–19b

The warnings in 22:18b–19b are told to everyone who might try to change John’s prophecies. In some languages it is more natural to use plural forms. For example:

18b if any add anything to them, 18c God will add to their punishment the plagues described in this book. 19a And if any take anything away from the prophetic words of this book, 19b God will take away from them their share of the fruit of the tree of life (Good News Translation)

In some languages it is more natural to use second person forms. For example:

18b If you add anything to them, 18c God will make you suffer…. 19a If you take anything away…19b God will not let you have part…. (Contemporary English Version)

22:19c

the holy city: The new Jerusalem is the holy city because God will live there. Here the word holy indicates that the city is dedicated for God’s use. His people will live there. Nothing evil will live there. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the city set apart
-or-
God’s city

See how you translated this phrase in 21:2 or 21:10.

which are described in this book: The Greek clause is literally “having been written in this book.” This clause refers to both “the tree of life” and “the holy city.” It is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

which ⌊I⌋ wrote about in this book
-or-
which are in this book

This clause gives more information about “the tree of life” and “the holy city.” In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other trees of life and holy cities. It would also indicate that John only wrote about these trees of life and holy city. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it gives more information about them. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

⌊I⌋ wrote about those things in this book.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 22:20a

22:20a

He who testifies to these things: The word testifies refers to saying something that is truthful and accurate. Jesus agreed that the prophecies and visions in this book are truthful and accurate. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

He, who is witness to all this (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Jesus, the One who says these things are true (New Century Version)

these things: This phrase refers to the whole book of Revelation. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

all this (Good News Translation)
-or-
those things
-or-
those prophecies

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 refer to “without delay” or “quickly.” See how you translated this clause in 22:12.

Paragraph 22:20b–21

22:20b

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!:
The direct address to Jesus occurs after what is said to him. In some languages it is more natural to have the direct address first. For example:

Lord Jesus, amen, come!

Amen: The word Amen is a Hebrew word that means “even so” or “it is true.” It is used to agree with what was said. The Greek borrowed the Hebrew word. English borrowed this word as well. See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 19:4.

Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “the one who has authority over (something),” or “owner.” God has authority over everyone and everything. See how you translated this word in 22:5.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

22:21

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints:
There is a textual issue here about the phrase all the saints :

(1) Some Greek manuscripts say all. For example:

everyone (Good News Translation)

(2) Some Greek manuscripts say all the saints. For example:

all the saints (Revised Standard Version)

(3) Some Greek manuscripts say the saints. For example:

God’s holy people (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Handbook Greek NT supports it, saying that option is nearly certain.

The whole clause is a blessing of farewell. John blessed his readers by expressing his desire that God would give grace to them.

Other ways to translate the whole clause are:

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone (Good News Translation)
-or-
May the Lord Jesus bless all ⌊of you⌋ with his grace
-or-
May all ⌊of you⌋ have the grace/favor of our Lord Jesus

grace: Here this word refers to God being kind to those who do not deserve his kindness. God is kind to people because he wants to be kind and not because they earned his kindness. John wanted God to show grace to his readers. Other ways to translate this word are:

kind (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
help
-or-
favor

In some languages, it is necessary to translate grace using a verb. For example:

voluntarily/graciously be kind
-or-
help ⌊as a gift/favor⌋

Amen: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts do not have the word.

(2) Some Greek manuscripts have the word. For example:

Amen (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Handbook Greek NT supports it. But if the major language version follows option (2), you may want to follow that.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.