11:18a–b

The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come: There is some contrast between these two clauses. The people were angry, but God was also angry. God made their anger ineffective. In some languages it is more natural to indicate this contrast. For example:

The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come (New Living Translation (2004))

were enraged…wrath: The phrase were enraged and the word wrath both refer to strong anger. The people of the nations were very angry with God, and he became very angry with them. For example:

The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come (New Living Translation (2004))

11:18a

nations: Here the word nations refers to people who do not believe in God. For example:

people of the world (New Century Version)

11:18b

Your wrath has come: This clause indicates that God has begun to act against the nations because of his anger. He will punish them. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the time for your anger has come (Good News Translation)
-or-
you now act in anger ⌊against them⌋

11:18c

The time has come to judge the dead: The Greek words are literally “and the time to judge the dead.” For example:

and the time for the dead to be judged (Revised Standard Version)

The Berean Standard Bible begins a new sentence at 11:18c and repeats the phrase has come. The Berean Standard Bible does that to make this verse easier to read. In some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here.

The time has come: This clause applies to all three phrases in 11:18 that begin with “to” (11:18c, 11:18d–f, 11:18g).

time: Here this word probably refers to a general time period rather than an exact time. But it is also possible that the elders are saying this just before God judges all people (20:11–15). Use a word or phrase that allows for either interpretation.

judge: This word means “decide whether a person is guilty or not.”

the dead: This phrase refers to people who have died.

11:18d–e

Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints: There are several ways to interpret the relationship between the phrase Your servants and the rest of these words. The main interpretations are:

(1) The word servants refers only to the prophets. For example:

your servants, the prophets, and all your people, (Good News Translation)

(2) The word servants refers to all of the following groups. For example:

your servants, the prophets and saints, (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

11:18d

reward: This word refers to doing good to someone because of the good deed he has done. Another way to translate this word is:

give rewards

Your servants the prophets: This phrase indicates that the prophets were God’s servants. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the prophets who served you
-or-
your servants, namely, the prophets

A similar phrase, “His servants the prophets,” occurs in 10:7. See how you translated the phrase there.

11:18e

the saints and those who fear Your name: There are two ways to interpret the relationship between the phrase those who fear Your name and the previous groups:

(1) The phrase those who fear Your name describes all the previous groups. For example:

all your people, all who have reverence for you, (Good News Translation)

(2) The phrase those who fear Your name refers to a group separate from all the previous groups. For example:

for the saints and for those who fear your name, (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It is more likely that the phrase those who fear Your name describes all followers.

saints: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saints means “holy ones.” Here the word refers to all believers. For example:

your people (Good News Translation)

See how you translated this word in 5:8 or 8:3.

those who fear Your name: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fear is often translated “reverence.” Here the Greek word means “respect” or “revere.” People who fear God think about him humbly, with awe. They worship and obey him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

all who respect you (New Century Version)
-or-
people who honor your name (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
those who reverence your name (New International Version)

11:18f

both small and great: This phrase refers to believers of low status in society and believers of high status in society. It implies believers of all classes and position in society. The phrase does not refer to physical size.

In some languages it is more natural to have the high status first. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

both of high and lowly position/place
-or-
whether ⌊they are⌋ important ⌊people⌋ or not
-or-
both humble and great

11:18g

those who destroy the earth: This phrase refers to all people who harm the earth or any part of it. God will destroy them because they destroyed his creation. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

those who ruin the earth

This phrase could also refer to Satan and demons. So your translation should allow for that possible meaning as well.

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