From 19307cf1a9c5603a18d61fea0710fa146e60cca2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Larry Sallee Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2022 13:36:59 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Fix format of Revelation --- en_tn_67-REV.tsv | 130 +++++++++++++++++++++++------------------------ 1 file changed, 65 insertions(+), 65 deletions(-) diff --git a/en_tn_67-REV.tsv b/en_tn_67-REV.tsv index 6d836f1839..82c9a98a12 100644 --- a/en_tn_67-REV.tsv +++ b/en_tn_67-REV.tsv @@ -1,22 +1,22 @@ Book Chapter Verse ID SupportReference OrigQuote Occurrence GLQuote OccurrenceNote -REV front intro xx8l 0 # Introduction to Revelation\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of the Book of Revelation\n\n1. Opening (1:1-20)\n2. Letters to the seven churches (2:1-3:22)\n3. Vision of God in heaven, and a vision of the Lamb (4:1-11)\n4. The seven seals (6:1-8:1)\n5. The seven trumpets (8:2-13:18)\n6. Worshipers of the Lamb, the martyrs, and the harvest of wrath (14:1-20)\n7. The seven bowls (15:1-18:24)\n8. Worship in heaven (19:1-10)\n9. The Lamb’s judgment, the destruction of the beast, the thousand years, the destruction of Satan, and the final judgment (20:11-15)\n10. The new creation and the new Jerusalem (21:1-22:5)\n11. Jesus’ promise to return, the witness from the angels, John’s closing words, Christ’s message to his church, the invitation and the warning (22:6-21)\n\n### Who wrote the Book of Revelation?\n\nThe author identified himself as John. This was probably the Apostle John. He wrote the Book of Revelation while on the island of Patmos. The Romans exiled John there for teaching people about Jesus.\n\n### What is the Book of Revelation about?\n\nJohn wrote the Book of Revelation to encourage believers to remain faithful even when they are suffering. John described visions he had of Satan and his followers fighting against and killing believers. In the visions God causes many terrible things to happen on the earth to punish wicked people. In the end, Jesus defeats Satan and his followers. Then Jesus comforts those who were faithful. And the believers will live forever with God in the new heavens and earth.\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\nTranslators may choose to call this book by one of its traditional titles, “Revelation,” “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” “The Revelation to Saint John,” or “The Apocalypse of John.” Or they may choose a possibly clearer title, such as “The Things that Jesus Christ Showed to John.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])\n\n### What type of writing is the Book of Revelation?\n\nJohn used a special style of writing to describe his visions. John described what he saw by using many symbols. This style of writing is called symbolic prophecy or apocalyptic literature. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalypticwriting]])\n\n## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### Are the events of Revelation past or future?\n\nSince early Christian times, scholars have interpreted Revelation differently. Some scholars think John described events that happened during his time. Some scholars think John described events happening from his time until the return of Jesus. Other scholars think John described events that will happen in a short period of time just before Christ returns.\n\nTranslators will not need to decide how to interpret the book before they translate it. Translators should leave the prophecies in the tenses that are used in the ULT.\n\n### Are there any other books in the Bible like Revelation?\n\nNo other book of the Bible is like the Book of Revelation. But, passages in Ezekiel, Zechariah, and especially Daniel are similar in content and style to Revelation. It may be beneficial to translate Revelation at the same time as Daniel since they have some imagery and style in common.\n\n## Part 3: Important Translation Issues\n\n### Does one need to understand the Book of Revelation to translate it?\n\nOne does not need to understand all of the symbols in the Book of Revelation to translate it properly. Translators should not give possible meanings for the symbols or numbers in their translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalypticwriting]])\n\n### How are the ideas of “holy” and “sanctify” represented in Revelation in the ULT?\n\nThe scriptures use these words to indicate any one of various ideas. For this reason, it is often difficult for translators to represent them well in their versions. In translating Revelation into English, the ULT uses the following principles:\n\n* The meaning in two passages indicates moral holiness. Here, the ULT uses “holy.” (See: 14:12; 22:11)\n* Usually the meaning in Revelation indicates a simple reference to Christians without implying any particular role filled by them. In these cases, the ULT uses “believer” or “believers.” (See: 5:8; 8:3, 4; 11:18; 13:7; 16:6; 17:6; 18:20, 24; 19:8; 20:9)\n* Sometimes the meaning implies the idea of someone or something set apart for God alone. In these cases, the ULT uses “sanctify,” “set apart,” “dedicated to,” or “reserved for.”\n\nThe UST will often be helpful as translators think about how to represent these ideas in their own versions.\n\n### Periods of time\n\nJohn referred to various periods of time in Revelation. For example, there are many references to forty-two months, seven years, and three and a half days. Some scholars think these time periods are symbolic. Other scholars think these are actual time periods. The translator should treat these time periods as referencing actual periods of time. It is then up to the interpreter to determine their significance or what they may represent.\n\n### What are the major issues in the text of the Book of Revelation?\n\nFor the following verses, some modern versions of the Bible differ from older versions. The ULT text has the modern reading and puts the older reading in a footnote. If a translation of the Bible exists in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions. If not, translators are advised to follow the modern reading.\n\n* “‘I am the alpha and the omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty’” (1:8). Some versions add the phrase “the Beginning and the End.”\n* “the elders prostrated themselves and worshiped” (5:14). Some older versions read, “the twenty-four elders prostrated themselves and worshiped the one who lives forever and ever.”\n* “so that a third of it \\[the earth\\] was burned up” (8:7). Some older versions do not include this phrase.\n* “the one who is and who was” (11:17). Some versions add the phrase “and who is to come.”\n* “they are blameless” (14:5). Some versions add the phrase “before the throne of God” (14:5).\n* “the one who is and who was, the Holy One” (16:5). Some older versions read, “O Lord, the One who is and who was and who is to be.”\n* “The nations will walk by the light of that city” (21:24). Some older versions read, “The nations that are saved will walk by the light of that city.”\n* “Blessed are those who wash their robes” (22:14). Some older versions read “Blessed are those who do his commandments.”\n* “God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city” (22:19). Some older versions read, “God will take away his share in the book of life and in the holy city.”\n\n(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) -REV 1 intro u1e2 0 # Revelation 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\n### Outline of Chapter One of Revelation\n\nI. The Introduction to Revelation\n\nA. The Prologue (1:1-8)\n\n1. The Preface (1:1-3)\n \n2. The Address and the Doxology (1:4-6)\n \n3. The Book's Theme (1:7-8)\n \n\nII. John's Vision of Christ\n\nB. John's Appointment to Write the Book of Revelation (1:9-20)\n\n1. The Initial Appointment to Write (1:9-11)\n \n2. The Source of the Appointment (1:12-16)\n \n3. The Appointment Repeated and Elaborated (1:17-20)\n \n\nThis chapter explains how the Book of Revelation records the vision John received on the island of Patmos.\n\nSome translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page to make them easier to read. The ULT does this with the quoted words in verse 7.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Seven churches\n\nJohn wrote this book to seven actual churches in Asia Minor, which is now the country of Turkey.\n\n### White\n\nThe Bible often speaks of something that belongs to a person as being “white.” This is metaphor and metonym for that person living rightly and pleasing God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/righteous]])\n\n### “Him who is, and who was, and who is to come”\n\nGod exists now. He has always existed. He will always exist. Your language may have a different way of saying this.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Blood\n\nBlood is a metonym for death. Jesus “has released us from our sins by his blood.” John means that Jesus saved us from our sins by dying for us. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### “He is coming with the clouds”\n\nJesus went into the clouds when he went up to heaven after God raised him from the dead. When Jesus returns, he will also be “with the clouds.” It is not clear whether he will be sitting or riding on clouds or coming in the clouds or “with the clouds” in some other way. Your translation should express this in a way that is natural in your language.\n\n### “One like a son of man”\n\nThis refers to Jesus. You should translate the words “son of man” using the same words as you did in the Gospels for when Jesus called himself the “Son of Man.”\n\n### “The angels of the seven churches”\n\nThe word “angels” here can also mean “messengers.” This might refer to heavenly beings, or to the messengers or leaders of these seven churches. John uses the same word “angel” (singular) in verse 1 and in many other places throughout the book. Your translation should also use the same word. -REV 1 1 rkh9 figs-abstractnouns ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **revelation**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “What God disclosed to Jesus Christ" or "The matters that God revealed to Jesus Christ" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) +REV front intro xx8l 0 # Introduction to Revelation

## Part 1: General Introduction

### Outline of the Book of Revelation

1. Opening (1:1-20)
2. Letters to the seven churches (2:1-3:22)
3. Vision of God in heaven, and a vision of the Lamb (4:1-11)
4. The seven seals (6:1-8:1)
5. The seven trumpets (8:2-13:18)
6. Worshipers of the Lamb, the martyrs, and the harvest of wrath (14:1-20)
7. The seven bowls (15:1-18:24)
8. Worship in heaven (19:1-10)
9. The Lamb’s judgment, the destruction of the beast, the thousand years, the destruction of Satan, and the final judgment (20:11-15)
10. The new creation and the new Jerusalem (21:1-22:5)
11. Jesus’ promise to return, the witness from the angels, John’s closing words, Christ’s message to his church, the invitation and the warning (22:6-21)

### Who wrote the Book of Revelation?

The author identified himself as John. This was probably the Apostle John. He wrote the Book of Revelation while on the island of Patmos. The Romans exiled John there for teaching people about Jesus.

### What is the Book of Revelation about?

John wrote the Book of Revelation to encourage believers to remain faithful even when they are suffering. John described visions he had of Satan and his followers fighting against and killing believers. In the visions God causes many terrible things to happen on the earth to punish wicked people. In the end, Jesus defeats Satan and his followers. Then Jesus comforts those who were faithful. And the believers will live forever with God in the new heavens and earth.

### How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by one of its traditional titles, “Revelation,” “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” “The Revelation to Saint John,” or “The Apocalypse of John.” Or they may choose a possibly clearer title, such as “The Things that Jesus Christ Showed to John.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

### What type of writing is the Book of Revelation?

John used a special style of writing to describe his visions. John described what he saw by using many symbols. This style of writing is called symbolic prophecy or apocalyptic literature. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalypticwriting]])

## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

### Are the events of Revelation past or future?

Since early Christian times, scholars have interpreted Revelation differently. Some scholars think John described events that happened during his time. Some scholars think John described events happening from his time until the return of Jesus. Other scholars think John described events that will happen in a short period of time just before Christ returns.

Translators will not need to decide how to interpret the book before they translate it. Translators should leave the prophecies in the tenses that are used in the ULT.

### Are there any other books in the Bible like Revelation?

No other book of the Bible is like the Book of Revelation. But, passages in Ezekiel, Zechariah, and especially Daniel are similar in content and style to Revelation. It may be beneficial to translate Revelation at the same time as Daniel since they have some imagery and style in common.

## Part 3: Important Translation Issues

### Does one need to understand the Book of Revelation to translate it?

One does not need to understand all of the symbols in the Book of Revelation to translate it properly. Translators should not give possible meanings for the symbols or numbers in their translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalypticwriting]])

### How are the ideas of “holy” and “sanctify” represented in Revelation in the ULT?

The scriptures use these words to indicate any one of various ideas. For this reason, it is often difficult for translators to represent them well in their versions. In translating Revelation into English, the ULT uses the following principles:

* The meaning in two passages indicates moral holiness. Here, the ULT uses “holy.” (See: 14:12; 22:11)
* Usually the meaning in Revelation indicates a simple reference to Christians without implying any particular role filled by them. In these cases, the ULT uses “believer” or “believers.” (See: 5:8; 8:3, 4; 11:18; 13:7; 16:6; 17:6; 18:20, 24; 19:8; 20:9)
* Sometimes the meaning implies the idea of someone or something set apart for God alone. In these cases, the ULT uses “sanctify,” “set apart,” “dedicated to,” or “reserved for.”

The UST will often be helpful as translators think about how to represent these ideas in their own versions.

### Periods of time

John referred to various periods of time in Revelation. For example, there are many references to forty-two months, seven years, and three and a half days. Some scholars think these time periods are symbolic. Other scholars think these are actual time periods. The translator should treat these time periods as referencing actual periods of time. It is then up to the interpreter to determine their significance or what they may represent.

### What are the major issues in the text of the Book of Revelation?

For the following verses, some modern versions of the Bible differ from older versions. The ULT text has the modern reading and puts the older reading in a footnote. If a translation of the Bible exists in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions. If not, translators are advised to follow the modern reading.

* “‘I am the alpha and the omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty’” (1:8). Some versions add the phrase “the Beginning and the End.”
* “the elders prostrated themselves and worshiped” (5:14). Some older versions read, “the twenty-four elders prostrated themselves and worshiped the one who lives forever and ever.”
* “so that a third of it \\[the earth\\] was burned up” (8:7). Some older versions do not include this phrase.
* “the one who is and who was” (11:17). Some versions add the phrase “and who is to come.”
* “they are blameless” (14:5). Some versions add the phrase “before the throne of God” (14:5).
* “the one who is and who was, the Holy One” (16:5). Some older versions read, “O Lord, the One who is and who was and who is to be.”
* “The nations will walk by the light of that city” (21:24). Some older versions read, “The nations that are saved will walk by the light of that city.”
* “Blessed are those who wash their robes” (22:14). Some older versions read “Blessed are those who do his commandments.”
* “God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city” (22:19). Some older versions read, “God will take away his share in the book of life and in the holy city.”

(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) +REV 1 intro u1e2 0 # Revelation 1 General Notes

## Structure and formatting

### Outline of Chapter One of Revelation

I. The Introduction to Revelation

A. The Prologue (1:1-8)

1. The Preface (1:1-3)
2. The Address and the Doxology (1:4-6)
3. The Book’s Theme (1:7-8)

II. John’s Vision of Christ

B. John’s Appointment to Write the Book of Revelation (1:9-20)

1. The Initial Appointment to Write (1:9-11)
2. The Source of the Appointment (1:12-16)
3. The Appointment Repeated and Elaborated (1:17-20)

This chapter explains how the Book of Revelation records the vision John received on the island of Patmos.

Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page to make them easier to read. The ULT does this with the quoted words in verse 7.

## Special concepts in this chapter

### Seven churches

John wrote this book to seven actual churches in Asia Minor, which is now the country of Turkey.

### White

The Bible often speaks of something that belongs to a person as being “white.” This is metaphor and metonym for that person living rightly and pleasing God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/righteous]])

### “Him who is, and who was, and who is to come”

God exists now. He has always existed. He will always exist. Your language may have a different way of saying this.

## Important figures of speech in this chapter

### Blood

Blood is a metonym for death. Jesus “has released us from our sins by his blood.” John means that Jesus saved us from our sins by dying for us. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

### “He is coming with the clouds”

Jesus went into the clouds when he went up to heaven after God raised him from the dead. When Jesus returns, he will also be “with the clouds.” It is not clear whether he will be sitting or riding on clouds or coming in the clouds or “with the clouds” in some other way. Your translation should express this in a way that is natural in your language.

### “One like a son of man”

This refers to Jesus. You should translate the words “son of man” using the same words as you did in the Gospels for when Jesus called himself the “Son of Man.”

### “The angels of the seven churches”

The word “angels” here can also mean “messengers.” This might refer to heavenly beings, or to the messengers or leaders of these seven churches. John uses the same word “angel” (singular) in verse 1 and in many other places throughout the book. Your translation should also use the same word. +REV 1 1 rkh9 figs-abstractnouns ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **revelation**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “What God disclosed to Jesus Christ” or “The matters that God revealed to Jesus Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) REV 1 1 kv41 figs-possession ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 General Information: This phrase could mean: (1) this book is **revelation** that came to Jesus from God. Alternate translation: “revelation to Jesus Christ” (2) this book is **revelation** that came from Jesus to the author of the book, namely John. Alternate translation: “revelation from Jesus Christ” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) -REV 1 1 ik5v figs-explicit τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ 1 his servants Here, **his servants** refers to people who believe in Jesus Christ and serve him as their Lord. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. Alternative translation: "those who serve him" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) +REV 1 1 ik5v figs-explicit τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ 1 his servants Here, **his servants** refers to people who believe in Jesus Christ and serve him as their Lord. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. Alternative translation: “those who serve him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) REV 1 1 x8bu ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει 1 what must soon take place Alternate translation: “the events that must happen soon” -REV 1 1 kez4 writing-pronouns ἐσήμανεν 1 made it known The pronoun **he** here refers to **Jesus Christ**. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “Jesus communicated it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]])\n +REV 1 1 kez4 writing-pronouns ἐσήμανεν 1 made it known The pronoun **he** here refers to **Jesus Christ**. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “Jesus communicated it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) REV 1 1 hz2w translate-names Ἰωάννῃ 1 **John** is the name of a man who was Jesus’ disciple and one of the original twelve apostles. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) REV 1 1 pb4u figs-123person τῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ, Ἰωάννῃ 1 to his servant John The Apostle **John** is referring to himself in the third person here. If this is confusing in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “to me, John, his servant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) REV 1 2 tgts writing-pronoun ὃς ἐμαρτύρησεν 1 The subject of this sentence is the author John. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “John testified” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronoun]]) REV 1 2 va4c figs-metonymy τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ 1 the word of God Here, John uses **word** figuratively to refer to the message that God said by using words. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the message that God spoke” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) REV 1 2 wb7z figs-abstractnouns τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **testimony**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “what Jesus Christ testified” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) -REV 1 2 b5se figs-possession τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 the testimony of Jesus Christ John is using the possessive form to describe the **testimony** that **Jesus Christ** has given about the personal revelation received directly from God and then given in prophecy by the book's author John. If this is not clear in your language, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “the testimony that Jesus Christ has given him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) +REV 1 2 b5se figs-possession τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 the testimony of Jesus Christ John is using the possessive form to describe the **testimony** that **Jesus Christ** has given about the personal revelation received directly from God and then given in prophecy by the book’s author John. If this is not clear in your language, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “the testimony that Jesus Christ has given him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) REV 1 3 le65 figs-genericnoun ὁ ἀναγινώσκων 1 the one who reads aloud Here, **the one who reads** does not refer to a specific person. It refers to anyone **who reads** the words of the prophecy aloud or in public. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: “anyone who reads aloud” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]]) REV 1 3 h37b figs-activepassive τηροῦντες τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ γεγραμμένα 1 obey what is written in it If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “who keep what John has written in it” or “who obey what they read in it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) -REV 1 3 t0q3 τῆς προφητείας 1 Here, **this prophecy** refers to this whole book that John is writing. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “of this book of prophecy" -REV 1 3 fjfo τηροῦντες τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ γεγραμμένα figs-activepassive 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “who keep what John has written in it” or “who keep what they read in it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) -REV 1 3 dwt8 figs-explicit ὁ γὰρ καιρὸς ἐγγύς 1 the time is near Here, **the time** refers specifically to the appointed time when God will make the prophecies in this book come true. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: "the time when what is written in this book is near" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) +REV 1 3 t0q3 τῆς προφητείας 1 Here, **this prophecy** refers to this whole book that John is writing. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “of this book of prophecy” +REV 1 3 fjfo τηροῦντες τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ γεγραμμένα figs-activepassive 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “who keep what John has written in it” or “who keep what they read in it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) +REV 1 3 dwt8 figs-explicit ὁ γὰρ καιρὸς ἐγγύς 1 the time is near Here, **the time** refers specifically to the appointed time when God will make the prophecies in this book come true. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “the time when what is written in this book is near” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) REV 1 3 myem figs-metaphor ὁ γὰρ καιρὸς ἐγγύς 1 Here, John speaks figuratively of **time** as if it could be **near** something. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the time will be soon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) REV 1 4 vw1t figs-123person Ἰωάννης ταῖς ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησίαις ταῖς ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ 1 General Information: In this culture, letter writers would give their own names first, and they would refer to themselves in the third person. If that would be confusing in your language, you could use the first person. If your language has a particular way of introducing the author of a letter, you could also use that. Alternate translation: “I, John, am writing this letter” or “From John” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) REV 1 4 apl8 figs-123person ταῖς ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησίαις ταῖς ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ 1 In this culture, after giving their own names, letter writers would then say to whom they were writing, naming those people in the third person. If that would be confusing in your language, you could use the second person. Alternate translation: “to you who are members of the seven church that are in Asia” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) @@ -25,88 +25,88 @@ REV 1 4 lsun figs-abstractnouns χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη, ἀ REV 1 4 unul figs-explicit ὁ ὢν 1 These three phrases all refer to God. If this might confuse your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the God who is, and who was, and who is coming” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) REV 1 4 qsu6 figs-metaphor ὁ ἐρχόμενος 1 who is to come John uses **is coming** figuratively to say that God exists in the future. If this would confuse your readers, you could say the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who will still exist in the future” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs- metaphor]]) REV 1 4 x38p writing-symlanguage ἑπτὰ πνευμάτων 1 seven spirits The number **seven** is often used in the Bible as a symbol for completeness and perfection. Here, the **seven spirits** could refer to: (1) the Spirit of God, which is described with seven attributes in [Isaiah 11:2](../../isa/11/02.md). Alternate translation: “the sevenfold Holy Spirit” (2) seven individual spirits who serve God, which might be the “seven angels” in [8:2](../08/02.md). Alternate translation: “the seven spirit beings” or “the seven angelic spirits” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) -REV 1 5 w24x καὶ ἀπὸ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 and from Jesus Christ The first half of this verse continues the sentence from the previous verse [Revelation 1:4](../01/04.md). If you make this a new sentence, then you will need to repeat some of the information from the previous verse. Alternate translation: "And may grace be to you and peace also from Jesus Christ" -REV 1 5 gz2n ὁ μάρτυς ὁ πιστός 1 This phrase **the faithful witness** is a title describing Jesus Christ. The expression is probably an allusion to Psalm 89, specifically to [Psalm 89:37](../../psa/89/37.md). Likewise, every title that is describing Jesus Christ in this verse alludes to a portion of Psalm 89, including: **the firstborn from the dead** and **the ruler of the kings of the earth**. All the titles in this verse describe Jesus Christ as the one who completes God's promises given to David in 2 Samuel 7 and then affirmed again within Psalm 89 later. Therefore, the translator can indicate the presence of an Old Testament quotation or allusion here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]]) -REV 1 5 l3h8 figs-idiom ὁ πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν 1 the firstborn from the dead This phrase **the firstborn from the dead** is an idiom meaning “the first person to die and become alive again". The term **firstborn** commonly refers to the first child actually to be born to parents and, therefore, the primary recipient of the parents' inheritance. The idiomatic expression apparently alludes to [Psalm 89:27](../../psa/89/27.md). However, every title describing Jesus Christ in this verse alludes to portions of Psalm 89, including: **the faithful witness** and **the ruler of the kings of the earth**. If your readers would not understand the phrase **the firstborn from the dead**, you could use plain language. Alternate translation: “the first person to be raised from death” or “the first person to come back to life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) +REV 1 5 w24x καὶ ἀπὸ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 and from Jesus Christ The first half of this verse continues the sentence from the previous verse [Revelation 1:4](../01/04.md). If you make this a new sentence, then you will need to repeat some of the information from the previous verse. Alternate translation: “And may grace be to you and peace also from Jesus Christ” +REV 1 5 gz2n ὁ μάρτυς ὁ πιστός 1 This phrase **the faithful witness** is a title describing Jesus Christ. The expression is probably an allusion to Psalm 89, specifically to [Psalm 89:37](../../psa/89/37.md). Likewise, every title that is describing Jesus Christ in this verse alludes to a portion of Psalm 89, including: **the firstborn from the dead** and **the ruler of the kings of the earth**. All the titles in this verse describe Jesus Christ as the one who completes God’s promises given to David in 2 Samuel 7 and then affirmed again within Psalm 89 later. Therefore, the translator can indicate the presence of an Old Testament quotation or allusion here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]]) +REV 1 5 l3h8 figs-idiom ὁ πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν 1 the firstborn from the dead This phrase **the firstborn from the dead** is an idiom meaning “the first person to die and become alive again”. The term **firstborn** commonly refers to the first child actually to be born to parents and, therefore, the primary recipient of the parents’ inheritance. The idiomatic expression apparently alludes to [Psalm 89:27](../../psa/89/27.md). However, every title describing Jesus Christ in this verse alludes to portions of Psalm 89, including: **the faithful witness** and **the ruler of the kings of the earth**. If your readers would not understand the phrase **the firstborn from the dead**, you could use plain language. Alternate translation: “the first person to be raised from death” or “the first person to come back to life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) REV 1 5 j1xp grammar-collectivenouns τῶν νεκρῶν 1 from the dead The word **dead** is a singular noun that refers to a group of people. If your language does not use singular nouns in that way, you can use a different expression. Alternate translation: “from those who are dead” or “from those who have died” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns]]) -REV 1 5 gqw8 grammar-collectivenouns καὶ ὁ ἄρχων τῶν βασιλέων τῆς γῆς 1 This phrase **the ruler of the kings of the earth** is a title of Jesus Christ that describes his future dominion over the earth. The expression **the ruler of the kings of the earth** alludes to [Psalm 89:27](../../psa/89/27.md). However, every title describing Jesus Christ in this verse alludes to portions of Psalm 89, including: **the faithful witness** and **the firstborn from the dead**. All the titles in this verse describe Jesus Christ as the one who completes God's promises given to David in 2 Samuel 7, which are then affirmed again in Psalm 89 later. Therefore, the translator can indicate the presence of an Old Testament quotation or allusion here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]]) -REV 1 5 ttqn τῷ ἀγαπῶντι ἡμᾶς 1 The second half of this verse begins a doxology that continues onto the next verse 1:6. The doxology directly praises Jesus Christ personally. The doxology continues throughout the entirety of verse 1:6. If you make this a new sentence, then you will need to state some of the information from the following verse that will then be repeated in verse 1:6 once again. Alternate translation: "May Jesus Christ, who loves us, receive glory and power always" -REV 1 5 u6v7 figs-metaphor λύσαντι ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν 1 has released us Here John uses **released** figuratively of forgiving people for their **sins**. If this would confuse your readers, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation: “has forgiven us for our sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -REV 1 5 jpnq figs-metonymy ἐκ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν 1 John uses **sins** figuratively to refer to the punishment for **sins**. He means that Jesus causes people who believe in him to escape eternal punishment for their sins. If this would confuse your readers, you could say the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “has released us from the punishment for our sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs- metonymy]]) +REV 1 5 gqw8 grammar-collectivenouns καὶ ὁ ἄρχων τῶν βασιλέων τῆς γῆς 1 This phrase **the ruler of the kings of the earth** is a title of Jesus Christ that describes his future dominion over the earth. The expression **the ruler of the kings of the earth** alludes to [Psalm 89:27](../../psa/89/27.md). However, every title describing Jesus Christ in this verse alludes to portions of Psalm 89, including: **the faithful witness** and **the firstborn from the dead**. All the titles in this verse describe Jesus Christ as the one who completes God’s promises given to David in 2 Samuel 7, which are then affirmed again in Psalm 89 later. Therefore, the translator can indicate the presence of an Old Testament quotation or allusion here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]]) +REV 1 5 ttqn τῷ ἀγαπῶντι ἡμᾶς 1 The second half of this verse begins a doxology that continues onto the next verse 1:6. The doxology directly praises Jesus Christ personally. The doxology continues throughout the entirety of verse 1:6. If you make this a new sentence, then you will need to state some of the information from the following verse that will then be repeated in verse 1:6 once again. Alternate translation: “May Jesus Christ, who loves us, receive glory and power always” +REV 1 5 u6v7 figs-metaphor λύσαντι ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν 1 has released us Here John uses **released** figuratively of forgiving people for their **sins**. If this would confuse your readers, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternative translation: “has forgiven us for our sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +REV 1 5 jpnq figs-metonymy ἐκ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν 1 John uses **sins** figuratively to refer to the punishment for **sins**. He means that Jesus causes people who believe in him to escape eternal punishment for their sins. If this would confuse your readers, you could say the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “has released us from the punishment for our sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs- metonymy]]) REV 1 5 q64f figs-metonymy τῷ αἵματι αὐτοῦ 1 Here, **blood** figuratively represents the death of Christ on the cross. If this might confuse your readers, you could use a comparable word that stands for death or express the idea in non-figurative language. Alternate translation: “his death on the cross” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) REV 1 6 jszo writing-pronoun καὶ ἐποίησεν ἡμᾶς βασιλείαν, ἱερεῖς 1 Alternate translation: “He has separated us for his rule, he has made us priests…”. The subject of the sentence, as well as of the contents of this entire verse, is Jesus Christ. Thus, the UST makes the subject of Jesus explicit throughout the entire verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronoun]]) REV 1 6 nhfb figs-metaphor βασιλείαν, ἱερεῖς 1 Here, **a kingdom, priests** is a pair of nouns functioning as two metaphors for the service that believers give to God the Father. Believers in Jesus Christ serve God like citizens serve their ruling king. Likewise, believers in Jesus also benefit God like priests attended to God in the temple or the tabernacle of the Old Testament. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -REV 1 6 nesy writing-pronoun βασιλείαν, ἱερεῖς τῷ Θεῷ καὶ Πατρί αὐτοῦ— αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for these ideas, you could express the ideas behind the abstract nouns **kingdom**, **priests**, **glory**, and **power** in other ways. Alternate translation: “he has created us to aid him in his program and to be household custodians serving God, his Father. May Jesus have proper honor and recognized authority always" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) -REV 1 6 ne7x τῷ Θεῷ καὶ Πατρί αὐτοῦ 1 his God and Father Here, **God** and **Father** refers to two persons of the Godhead, who exists in essence as a trinity of individual persons. The name **Father** is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. Alternate translation: “for God, his Father" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]]) +REV 1 6 nesy writing-pronoun βασιλείαν, ἱερεῖς τῷ Θεῷ καὶ Πατρί αὐτοῦ— αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for these ideas, you could express the ideas behind the abstract nouns **kingdom**, **priests**, **glory**, and **power** in other ways. Alternate translation: “he has created us to aid him in his program and to be household custodians serving God, his Father. May Jesus have proper honor and recognized authority always” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) +REV 1 6 ne7x τῷ Θεῷ καὶ Πατρί αὐτοῦ 1 his God and Father Here, **God** and **Father** refers to two persons of the Godhead, who exists in essence as a trinity of individual persons. The name **Father** is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. Alternate translation: “for God, his Father” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]]) REV 1 6 qd74 figs-abstractnouns αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος 1 to him be the glory and the power This is a wish or prayer. This could mean: (1) John prays that people honor Jesus Christ in light of or with respect to his **glory** and **power**. (2) John prays that Jesus Christ will be honored and will be able to rule completely over everyone and everything. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) -REV 1 6 vc5g τὸ κράτος 1 the power Here, **the power** probably refers to Jesus Christ's authority as king. Alternate translation: "the dominion" +REV 1 6 vc5g τὸ κράτος 1 the power Here, **the power** probably refers to Jesus Christ’s authority as king. Alternate translation: “the dominion” REV 1 7 ldv8 ἰδοὺ, ἔρχεται μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν, καὶ ὄψεται αὐτὸν πᾶς ὀφθαλμὸς, καὶ οἵτινες αὐτὸν ἐξεκέντησαν, καὶ κόψονται ἐπ’ αὐτὸν πᾶσαι αἱ φυλαὶ τῆς γῆς 1 General Information: In verse 7, John is quoting from Daniel and Zechariah. For how to translate quotations of other scripture contents, read this following link. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]]) -REV 1 7 mx1c figs-metaphor ἰδοὺ 1 Here, **Behold** is a word that focuses the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. The word literally means "look" or "see". However, in this case, the expression denotes the act of seeing figuratively by means of giving notice and attention. Alternate translation: "Listen carefully!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -REV 1 7 bbqj writing-pronoun ἔρχεται μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν 1 Alternate translation: “He approaches on the clouds.” The subject of the clause is Jesus Christ. Jesus will come to the earth from above, or from the sky above, as seen originally in [Daniel 7:14](../../dan/11/02.md) and [Daniel 7:27](../../dan/11/02.md). Thus, the UST makes the subject of Jesus Christ explicit here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronoun]]) +REV 1 7 mx1c figs-metaphor ἰδοὺ 1 Here, **Behold** is a word that focuses the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. The word literally means “look” or “see”. However, in this case, the expression denotes the act of seeing figuratively by means of giving notice and attention. Alternate translation: “Listen carefully!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +REV 1 7 bbqj writing-pronoun ἔρχεται μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν 1 Alternate translation: “He approaches on the clouds.” The subject of the clause is Jesus Christ. Jesus will come to the earth from above, or from the sky above, as seen originally in [Daniel 7:14](../../dan/11/02.md) and [Daniel 7:27](../../dan/11/02.md). Thus, the UST makes the subject of Jesus Christ explicit here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronoun]]) REV 1 7 hb4i figs-synecdoche πᾶς ὀφθαλμὸς 1 every eye Since people see with their eyes, the word **eye** is used to refer to people. Alternate translation: “every person” or “everyone” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) -REV 1 7 ndf6 figs-metonymy καὶ οἵτινες αὐτὸν ἐξεκέντησαν 1 pierced him Jesus’ hands and feet were **pierced** when he was nailed to the cross. Here it refers to the people who killed him. Alternate translation: “even those who bore a hole in him" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) +REV 1 7 ndf6 figs-metonymy καὶ οἵτινες αὐτὸν ἐξεκέντησαν 1 pierced him Jesus’ hands and feet were **pierced** when he was nailed to the cross. Here it refers to the people who killed him. Alternate translation: “even those who bore a hole in him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) REV 1 7 ewtl figs-ellipsis καὶ οἵτινες αὐτὸν ἐξεκέντησαν 1 Here, **even those who pierced him** assumes the prior action verb of every eye seeing Jesus Christ come with the clouds. However, the writer leaves out the repetition of the action verb of seeing here, although the act of seeing is assumed. This is type of omission is known as ellipsis. The translator may wish to state explicitly the action of seeing once again here in this context. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) -REV 1 7 enuz grammar-collectivenouns πᾶσαι αἱ φυλαὶ τῆς γῆς 1 The phrase **all the tribes of the earth** describes all types of the earth's peoples by the category of every single **tribe**. If your language does not use singular nouns in that way, you can use a different expression. Alternate translation: “every ethnicity of the earth" or "every racial type of the earth" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns]]) -REV 1 7 s0rd ναί! ἀμήν! 1 Here, the phrase **Yes, Amen** represents a stronger or more assertive form of simply the word **Amen**. The word **Yes** affirms, emphasizes, and strengthens the following word **Amen**. Alternate translations: "Certainly it shall be thus!" or "Yes indeed, may this truly be so!" -REV 1 8 mm9z figs-metaphor τὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ 1 the alpha and the omega The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet are **alpha** and **omega**. This could mean: (1) God the Father or Jesus Christ is the one who began all things and who will end all things. (2) God the Father or Jesus Christ is the one who has always lived and who always will live. If your readers would misunderstand this, you may consider using the first and last letters of your language's alphabet. Alternate translation: “the A and the Z” or “the first thing and the last thing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -REV 1 8 l1ss figs-merism τὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ 1 Here, **the alpha and the omega** refers by merism to the eternal nature of God the Father or that of Jesus Christ. A merism gives a sense of a totality by a description that references two extreme parts of a concept's whole. In this case, the parts at the extremities of the concept's whole are the first (**alpha**) and last (**omega**) letters of the Greek alphabet. The Greek alphabet is a type of metaphor for eternity, which has a beginning and a end normally in time, although here the idea is that of the eternal existence of God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) -REV 1 8 t0ga translate-textvariants τὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ, λέγει Κύριος 1 "'I am the alpha and the omega,' says the Lord God, 'the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty'" (1:8). Some versions add the phrase "the Beginning and the End" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) -REV 1 8 in5e figs-metaphor ὁ ἐρχόμενος 1 who is to come Here, the phrase **who is coming** figuratively signifies that God exists in the future. If this would confuse your readers, you could say the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: "who will still exist in the future" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +REV 1 7 enuz grammar-collectivenouns πᾶσαι αἱ φυλαὶ τῆς γῆς 1 The phrase **all the tribes of the earth** describes all types of the earth’s peoples by the category of every single **tribe**. If your language does not use singular nouns in that way, you can use a different expression. Alternate translation: “every ethnicity of the earth” or “every racial type of the earth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns]]) +REV 1 7 s0rd ναί! ἀμήν! 1 Here, the phrase **Yes, Amen** represents a stronger or more assertive form of simply the word **Amen**. The word **Yes** affirms, emphasizes, and strengthens the following word **Amen**. Alternate translations: “Certainly it shall be thus!” or “Yes indeed, may this truly be so!” +REV 1 8 mm9z figs-metaphor τὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ 1 the alpha and the omega The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet are **alpha** and **omega**. This could mean: (1) God the Father or Jesus Christ is the one who began all things and who will end all things. (2) God the Father or Jesus Christ is the one who has always lived and who always will live. If your readers would misunderstand this, you may consider using the first and last letters of your language’s alphabet. Alternate translation: “the A and the Z” or “the first thing and the last thing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +REV 1 8 l1ss figs-merism τὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ 1 Here, **the alpha and the omega** refers by merism to the eternal nature of God the Father or that of Jesus Christ. A merism gives a sense of a totality by a description that references two extreme parts of a concept’s whole. In this case, the parts at the extremities of the concept’s whole are the first (**alpha**) and last (**omega**) letters of the Greek alphabet. The Greek alphabet is a type of metaphor for eternity, which has a beginning and a end normally in time, although here the idea is that of the eternal existence of God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) +REV 1 8 t0ga translate-textvariants τὸ Ἄλφα καὶ τὸ Ὦ, λέγει Κύριος 1 “‘I am the alpha and the omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty’” (1:8). Some versions add the phrase “the Beginning and the End” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]]) +REV 1 8 in5e figs-metaphor ὁ ἐρχόμενος 1 who is to come Here, the phrase **who is coming** figuratively signifies that God exists in the future. If this would confuse your readers, you could say the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who will still exist in the future” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) REV 1 8 c96p writing-quotations λέγει Κύριος, ὁ Θεός 1 says the Lord God Some languages would move **says the Lord God** to the beginning or the end of the whole sentence. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]]) -REV 1 9 qyu1 figs-123person ἐγὼ Ἰωάννης, ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν, καὶ συνκοινωνὸς ἐν τῇ θλίψει, καὶ βασιλείᾳ, καὶ ὑπομονῇ, ἐν Ἰησοῦ 1 The Apostle **John** refers to himself in the third person here in this verse. If this is confusing in your language, you could translate this in the first person primarily or predominantly. Alternate translation: "I … am experiencing affliction with you …" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) +REV 1 9 qyu1 figs-123person ἐγὼ Ἰωάννης, ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν, καὶ συνκοινωνὸς ἐν τῇ θλίψει, καὶ βασιλείᾳ, καὶ ὑπομονῇ, ἐν Ἰησοῦ 1 The Apostle **John** refers to himself in the third person here in this verse. If this is confusing in your language, you could translate this in the first person primarily or predominantly. Alternate translation: “I … am experiencing affliction with you …” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) REV 1 9 p7ii ἐγὼ Ἰωάννης, ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν, καὶ συνκοινωνὸς ἐν τῇ θλίψει, καὶ βασιλείᾳ, καὶ ὑπομονῇ, ἐν Ἰησοῦ, ἐγενόμην 1 I, John—your brother and the one who shares with you in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are in Jesus—was You can state this as a separate sentence. Alternate translation: “I, John, am your brother who shares with you in God’s kingdom and also suffers and patiently endures trials along with you because we belong to Jesus. I was” REV 1 9 mg1k figs-you ὑμῶν 1 your Here, **your** refers to the believers assembled among the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation (i.e. chapters one, two, and three). The seven assemblies of believers mentioned in Revelation were in the modern area of southwestern Turkey today. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) -REV 1 9 ikek figs-abstractnouns βασιλείᾳ 1 Here, **kingdom** expresses the idea that Christ rules and will rule over the lives of believers. One might translate **kingdom** with the idea behind the abstract noun by some phrase that uses the verb "rule." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) -REV 1 9 c1a9 figs-metonymy διὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ 1 because of the word of God Here, **the word of God** refers to both the preaching of the gospel as well as the proclamation of this book of Revelation's prophecy by the author John through the direct attestation of Jesus Christ personally to him. John uses **word** figuratively to refer to the message that God said by using words. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “because I communicated to others the message that God spoke" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) -REV 1 9 sim8 figs-possession τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ 1 the testimony about Jesus John is using the possessive form to describe the **testimony** that **Jesus** has given about the personal revelation received directly from God and then given in prophecy by the book's author John. If this is not clear in your language, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “the testimony that Jesus has given me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) -REV 1 10 s2sw figs-idiom ἐγενόμην ἐν Πνεύματι 1 I was in the Spirit Here, **in the Spirit** might signify the state of being influenced by God’s Spirit. However, on the other hand, **in the spirit** might be an idiomatic expression which employs the word **spirit** as a general reference to the human spirit. Therefore, this phrase **in the Spirit** could mean: (1) God's Holy Spirit (i.e. God himself) took control of John so as to somehow influence John to receive divine revelation, or (2) God caused John to be in a spiritual state so that he could perceive revelation. Alternate translation: “I was influenced by the Spirit of God” or “God's Spirit took control of me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) -REV 1 10 lnj2 τῇ Κυριακῇ ἡμέρᾳ 1 the Lord’s day Here, **the Lord's day** refers specifically to Sunday, which was the weekday for the public gathering of Christian believers for corporate worship during this time of John's writing the book of Revelation. Some argue that the phrase **the Lord's day** refers to a future day that is depicted in the book of Revelation. However, although John was inspired in an ecstatic state, he was not transported physically through time into a future eschatological time which is depicted in the book of Revelation. Rather, God merely gave John a vision of the future time depicted in the book of Revelation. -REV 1 10 fa68 figs-simile φωνὴν μεγάλην ὡς σάλπιγγος 1 loud voice like a trumpet The **voice** was very **loud** so that the noise sounded **like a trumpet**. Alternate translation: "a voice as loud as a trumpet being blown" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) +REV 1 9 ikek figs-abstractnouns βασιλείᾳ 1 Here, **kingdom** expresses the idea that Christ rules and will rule over the lives of believers. One might translate **kingdom** with the idea behind the abstract noun by some phrase that uses the verb “rule.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) +REV 1 9 c1a9 figs-metonymy διὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ 1 because of the word of God Here, **the word of God** refers to both the preaching of the gospel as well as the proclamation of this book of Revelation’s prophecy by the author John through the direct attestation of Jesus Christ personally to him. John uses **word** figuratively to refer to the message that God said by using words. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “because I communicated to others the message that God spoke” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) +REV 1 9 sim8 figs-possession τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ 1 the testimony about Jesus John is using the possessive form to describe the **testimony** that **Jesus** has given about the personal revelation received directly from God and then given in prophecy by the book’s author John. If this is not clear in your language, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “the testimony that Jesus has given me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]]) +REV 1 10 s2sw figs-idiom ἐγενόμην ἐν Πνεύματι 1 I was in the Spirit Here, **in the Spirit** might signify the state of being influenced by God’s Spirit. However, on the other hand, **in the spirit** might be an idiomatic expression which employs the word **spirit** as a general reference to the human spirit. Therefore, this phrase **in the Spirit** could mean: (1) God’s Holy Spirit (i.e. God himself) took control of John so as to somehow influence John to receive divine revelation, or (2) God caused John to be in a spiritual state so that he could perceive revelation. Alternate translation: “I was influenced by the Spirit of God” or “God’s Spirit took control of me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) +REV 1 10 lnj2 τῇ Κυριακῇ ἡμέρᾳ 1 the Lord’s day Here, **the Lord’s day** refers specifically to Sunday, which was the weekday for the public gathering of Christian believers for corporate worship during this time of John’s writing the book of Revelation. Some argue that the phrase **the Lord’s day** refers to a future day that is depicted in the book of Revelation. However, although John was inspired in an ecstatic state, he was not transported physically through time into a future eschatological time which is depicted in the book of Revelation. Rather, God merely gave John a vision of the future time depicted in the book of Revelation. +REV 1 10 fa68 figs-simile φωνὴν μεγάλην ὡς σάλπιγγος 1 loud voice like a trumpet The **voice** was very **loud** so that the noise sounded **like a trumpet**. Alternate translation: “a voice as loud as a trumpet being blown” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) REV 1 10 ggph figs-metonymy φωνὴν μεγάλην 1 Here, **a loud voice** figuratively refers to the person speaking the **voice**, which is later revealed in the context to be the divine voice of Jesus Christ. This figure of speech is what is known as a metonymy of effect in that the person who speaks and utters a voice is represented by his **voice**. Alternate translation: “a great sound of one speaking” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) -REV 1 10 dn8e σάλπιγγος 1 trumpet A **trumpet** is a wind instrument for producing music or for calling people to gather together for an announcement or meeting. In the Old Testament, a **trumpet** was a ram's horn, but in the New Testament time period the wind instrument evolved into a metallic form for the trumpet, just like it exists now in modern times. The translator must decide, if translating in a culture that has no trumpets, whether there exists some other equivalent wind instrument or simply some other means of gathering people for a public gathering. -REV 1 11 y4ab writing-pronouns λεγούσης 1 Here, **saying** refers to the **voice** of the previous verse 1:10, although the **voice** is only implied and not stated explicitly. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: "it said to me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) +REV 1 10 dn8e σάλπιγγος 1 trumpet A **trumpet** is a wind instrument for producing music or for calling people to gather together for an announcement or meeting. In the Old Testament, a **trumpet** was a ram’s horn, but in the New Testament time period the wind instrument evolved into a metallic form for the trumpet, just like it exists now in modern times. The translator must decide, if translating in a culture that has no trumpets, whether there exists some other equivalent wind instrument or simply some other means of gathering people for a public gathering. +REV 1 11 y4ab writing-pronouns λεγούσης 1 Here, **saying** refers to the **voice** of the previous verse 1:10, although the **voice** is only implied and not stated explicitly. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “it said to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) REV 1 11 d87d βιβλίον 1 Here, **a scroll** refers to a roll made up of sliced fibers from the papyrus plant. Papyrus was actually less expensive in comparison to parchment, which was made of animal skins. REV 1 11 kq6x translate-names Σμύρναν…Πέργαμον…Θυάτειρα…Σάρδεις…Φιλαδέλφιαν…Λαοδίκιαν 1 Smyrna … Pergamum … Thyatira … Sardis … Philadelphia … Laodicea These are names of cities in the region of western Asia Minor that are in the modern area of southwestern Turkey today. The logic of the order seems to begin with Ephesus, the most important city at the time and then proceed to move clockwise until it reaches the city that is the furthest south at Laodicea. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) REV 1 12 r89l figs-metonymy τὴν φωνὴν ἥτις 1 whose voice The **voice** refers to the person speaking. The person who utters the voice is subsequently said to be Jesus Christ himself. The voice represents the person who speaks the voice in a figure of speech known as metonymy. Alternate translation: “who” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) -REV 1 12 flem ἑπτὰ λυχνίας χρυσᾶς 1 Here, **seven golden lampstands** refers to seven golden lamp holders that are place holding stands for portable oil lamps. These seven lamp holders are made of gold or, at the very least, were plated with gold. Apparently these lamp holders represent the seven assemblies of believers in the seven cities mentioned in the previous verse of Revelation 1:11.\nThe number **seven** is often used in the Bible as a symbol for completeness and perfection, although the context would simply suggest that the number is required by the amount of the churches addressed in Revelation chapters two and three. Alternate translation: “seven golden portable oil lamp-holding stands" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) -REV 1 13 xmx7 figs-simile ὅμοιον Υἱὸν Ἀνθρώπου 1 son of man The expression **like a son of man** describes a human figure, someone who looks human. The figure of speech is that of a comparison by a simile. Alternate translation: "a being that looked like a man" or "a figure that resembled a human being" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) -REV 1 13 kyx9 ὅμοιον Υἱὸν Ἀνθρώπου 1 Here, **like a son of man** is a phrase that recalls the same Aramaic phrase in Daniel 7, specifically within [Daniel 7:13](../../dan/07/13.md). Jesus, assuming the reference in Daniel 7, takes the phrase **a son of man** as a personal title so as then to be translated often as "the Son of Man" in the gospel references. Therefore, the translator can indicate the presence of an Old Testament quotation or allusion here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]]) -REV 1 13 y6qk ζώνην χρυσᾶν 1 a golden sash A **sash** was a strip of cloth worn around the chest. This one may have been woven from golden threads. Clearly **sash** is not a belt that is worn around the waist specifically. Alternate translation: "strap" or "band" -REV 1 14 qc12 figs-simile ἡ δὲ κεφαλὴ αὐτοῦ καὶ αἱ τρίχες λευκαὶ, ὡς ἔριον λευκόν ὡς χιών 1 His head and hair were as white as wool—as white as snow Here, **wool** and **snow** are examples of things that are very **white**. The double comparison between hair of the head with both **wool** and **snow** represents the figure of speech known as a simile. Although the phrase **his head and hair** literally refers to both the head and hair, the idea must be to the hair being white on the head, which is then compared in a simile's manner of comparison to both **wool** and **snow**. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) +REV 1 12 flem ἑπτὰ λυχνίας χρυσᾶς 1 Here, **seven golden lampstands** refers to seven golden lamp holders that are place holding stands for portable oil lamps. These seven lamp holders are made of gold or, at the very least, were plated with gold. Apparently these lamp holders represent the seven assemblies of believers in the seven cities mentioned in the previous verse of Revelation 1:11. The number **seven** is often used in the Bible as a symbol for completeness and perfection, although the context would simply suggest that the number is required by the amount of the churches addressed in Revelation chapters two and three. Alternate translation: “seven golden portable oil lamp-holding stands” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) +REV 1 13 xmx7 figs-simile ὅμοιον Υἱὸν Ἀνθρώπου 1 son of man The expression **like a son of man** describes a human figure, someone who looks human. The figure of speech is that of a comparison by a simile. Alternate translation: “a being that looked like a man” or “a figure that resembled a human being” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) +REV 1 13 kyx9 ὅμοιον Υἱὸν Ἀνθρώπου 1 Here, **like a son of man** is a phrase that recalls the same Aramaic phrase in Daniel 7, specifically within [Daniel 7:13](../../dan/07/13.md). Jesus, assuming the reference in Daniel 7, takes the phrase **a son of man** as a personal title so as then to be translated often as “the Son of Man” in the gospel references. Therefore, the translator can indicate the presence of an Old Testament quotation or allusion here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]]) +REV 1 13 y6qk ζώνην χρυσᾶν 1 a golden sash A **sash** was a strip of cloth worn around the chest. This one may have been woven from golden threads. Clearly **sash** is not a belt that is worn around the waist specifically. Alternate translation: “strap” or “band” +REV 1 14 qc12 figs-simile ἡ δὲ κεφαλὴ αὐτοῦ καὶ αἱ τρίχες λευκαὶ, ὡς ἔριον λευκόν ὡς χιών 1 His head and hair were as white as wool—as white as snow Here, **wool** and **snow** are examples of things that are very **white**. The double comparison between hair of the head with both **wool** and **snow** represents the figure of speech known as a simile. Although the phrase **his head and hair** literally refers to both the head and hair, the idea must be to the hair being white on the head, which is then compared in a simile’s manner of comparison to both **wool** and **snow**. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) REV 1 14 mg7r figs-doublet λευκαὶ, ὡς ἔριον λευκόν ὡς χιών 1 The repetition of **white as** emphasizes that they were very white. The doubling of **white* indicates a figure of speech known as a doublet. A doublet provides emphasis by means of repetition. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) REV 1 14 j9w4 ἔριον 1 wool The word **wool** refers to the hair of a sheep or goat. In this simile comparison, the **wool** is considered to be very white. -REV 1 14 vp4t figs-simile οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ὡς φλὸξ πυρός 1 his eyes were like a flame of fire John describes **his eyes** as being full of light and very bright like **a flame of fire**. Alternate translation: “his eyes were glowing like a flame of fire” or "his eyes blazed like a flame of fire" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) -REV 1 15 u551 figs-simile οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὅμοιοι χαλκολιβάνῳ 1 His feet were like polished bronze Here, **like polished bronze** describes the appearance of the figure's feet in a manner of comparison known as simile. Objects made of **bronze** are **polished** to make them shine and reflect light. Alternate translation: “his feet were very shiny like polished bronze” or "his feet were reflecting light like polished bronze" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) +REV 1 14 vp4t figs-simile οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ὡς φλὸξ πυρός 1 his eyes were like a flame of fire John describes **his eyes** as being full of light and very bright like **a flame of fire**. Alternate translation: “his eyes were glowing like a flame of fire” or “his eyes blazed like a flame of fire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) +REV 1 15 u551 figs-simile οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὅμοιοι χαλκολιβάνῳ 1 His feet were like polished bronze Here, **like polished bronze** describes the appearance of the figure’s feet in a manner of comparison known as simile. Objects made of **bronze** are **polished** to make them shine and reflect light. Alternate translation: “his feet were very shiny like polished bronze” or “his feet were reflecting light like polished bronze” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) REV 1 15 d6je figs-events ὅμοιοι χαλκολιβάνῳ ὡς ἐν καμίνῳ πεπυρωμένης 1 like polished bronze, like bronze that had been refined in a furnace The **bronze** would be **refined** first by melting it in a **furnace**, and then polished. Here, **furnace** refers to a strong container for holding a very hot fire. People would put metal in it, and the hot fire would melt away any impurities that were in the metal. A translation should not imply that the bronze was first polished and then refined in a furnace, thereby reversing the actual order of events. Alternate translation: “like bronze that has been purified in a hot furnace and then polished” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) -REV 1 15 izg6 figs-simile ἡ φωνὴ αὐτοῦ ὡς φωνὴ ὑδάτων πολλῶν 1 the sound of many rushing waters The **sound** of **his voice** was very loud, like the sound of a large and fast flowing river or of a large waterfall with loud waves of constant water flow. This figurative expression is a comparison by a simile. The idea is simply of a great noise caused by a large volume of water, so that something like a river or waterfall could describe the notion for comparison of the voice's great force. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) -REV 1 16 qu9h writing-pronouns καὶ ἔχων 1 Here, the subject of **and having** should be assumed from earlier in verse [1:13](../01/13.md) rendered one **like a son of man**. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “he was holding" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) -REV 1 16 udj5 writing-symlanguage καὶ ἔχων ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ ἀστέρας ἑπτά 1 The number **seven** is often used in the Bible as a symbol for completeness and perfection, although the context would simply suggest that the number is required by the amount of the churches addressed in Revelation chapters two and three. Hence, the **seven stars** refer to **the angels of the seven churches** as stated explicitly in [1:20](../01/20.md). The symbolism of Jesus Christ holding stars could have two possible connotations, namely: (1) Christ having absolute authority over the stars in the heavens as a divine person, or (2) Christ keeping the churches symbolized in the stars secure and safe from death or evil so as to have eternal life as described in [John 10:28](../../joh/10/28.md). The translator does not need to specify one interpretation over the other one. Alternate translation: “and keeping seven stars in his right hand" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) -REV 1 16 pp58 καὶ ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ ῥομφαία δίστομος ὀξεῖα ἐκπορευομένη 1 a sword … was coming out of his mouth Here, the **sword** refers to a sword that is sharpened on both edges so that it can cut in both directions on both sides. Only the blade of the sword protruded from Christ's mouth since the imagery is most likely a metaphor for the spoken word as being figuratively sharp and able to pierce things. The symbolism was probably inspired by the fact that Roman **double-edged** swords were shaped like human tongues in their forms. Thus, **double-edged** swords in the shape of human tongues apparently signify spoken words coming from the human mouth. The translator may wish to indicate this imagery in his translation of the symbolism. Alternate translation: "a sharp, double-edged sword was protruding from his mouth" -REV 1 16 cb26 figs-simile ὡς ὁ ἥλιος φαίνει ἐν τῇ δυνάμει αὐτοῦ 1 Here, the simile in the phrase **shining as the sun at its strength** expresses a very bright appearance. Thus, the face of Jesus Christ appeared very bright in a similar manner to the way that the sun shines in its full force during the middle of the day. Alternate translation: "shining as bright as the noonday sun" or "shining as bright as the mid-day sun" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) +REV 1 15 izg6 figs-simile ἡ φωνὴ αὐτοῦ ὡς φωνὴ ὑδάτων πολλῶν 1 the sound of many rushing waters The **sound** of **his voice** was very loud, like the sound of a large and fast flowing river or of a large waterfall with loud waves of constant water flow. This figurative expression is a comparison by a simile. The idea is simply of a great noise caused by a large volume of water, so that something like a river or waterfall could describe the notion for comparison of the voice’s great force. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) +REV 1 16 qu9h writing-pronouns καὶ ἔχων 1 Here, the subject of **and having** should be assumed from earlier in verse [1:13](../01/13.md) rendered one **like a son of man**. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “he was holding” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) +REV 1 16 udj5 writing-symlanguage καὶ ἔχων ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ ἀστέρας ἑπτά 1 The number **seven** is often used in the Bible as a symbol for completeness and perfection, although the context would simply suggest that the number is required by the amount of the churches addressed in Revelation chapters two and three. Hence, the **seven stars** refer to **the angels of the seven churches** as stated explicitly in [1:20](../01/20.md). The symbolism of Jesus Christ holding stars could have two possible connotations, namely: (1) Christ having absolute authority over the stars in the heavens as a divine person, or (2) Christ keeping the churches symbolized in the stars secure and safe from death or evil so as to have eternal life as described in [John 10:28](../../joh/10/28.md). The translator does not need to specify one interpretation over the other one. Alternate translation: “and keeping seven stars in his right hand” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) +REV 1 16 pp58 καὶ ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ ῥομφαία δίστομος ὀξεῖα ἐκπορευομένη 1 a sword … was coming out of his mouth Here, the **sword** refers to a sword that is sharpened on both edges so that it can cut in both directions on both sides. Only the blade of the sword protruded from Christ’s mouth since the imagery is most likely a metaphor for the spoken word as being figuratively sharp and able to pierce things. The symbolism was probably inspired by the fact that Roman **double-edged** swords were shaped like human tongues in their forms. Thus, **double-edged** swords in the shape of human tongues apparently signify spoken words coming from the human mouth. The translator may wish to indicate this imagery in his translation of the symbolism. Alternate translation: “a sharp, double-edged sword was protruding from his mouth” +REV 1 16 cb26 figs-simile ὡς ὁ ἥλιος φαίνει ἐν τῇ δυνάμει αὐτοῦ 1 Here, the simile in the phrase **shining as the sun at its strength** expresses a very bright appearance. Thus, the face of Jesus Christ appeared very bright in a similar manner to the way that the sun shines in its full force during the middle of the day. Alternate translation: “shining as bright as the noonday sun” or “shining as bright as the mid-day sun” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) REV 1 17 twy9 translate-symaction ἔπεσα πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, ὡς νεκρός 1 fell at his feet like a dead man John lay down facing the ground in a common gesture that expresses a deferential respect for a person before whom one bows down before. This symbolic action or cultural gesture of obeisance signifies great respect, reverential awe, and maybe even some fear at the person who receives the symbolic gesture of the bow. John was probably very frightened and was showing Jesus great respect by the customary act of a dramatic bow before the presence of Jesus. If the translator has a similar symbolic action or cutlural gesture to indicate obeisance in the culture of the target language, then perhaps the similar cultural action should be incorporated in the translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]]) -REV 1 17 vz4u translate-symaction καὶ ἔθηκεν τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ ἐπ’ ἐμὲ 1 Here, the subject of **and he placed his right hand on me** should be assumed from earlier in the context at verse [1:13](../01/13.md). Verse [1:13](../01/13.md) mentions one **like a son of man** as a description of Jesus Christ. If this might confuse your readers, you could explicitly state the subject as Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus placed his right hand on me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) -REV 1 17 jw5r translate-symaction καὶ ἔθηκεν τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ ἐπ’ ἐμὲ\n\n 1 He placed his right hand on me Here, the phrase **and he placed his right hand on me** signifies a cultural gesture or symbolic action that expresses comfort and assurance for the person who is need of encouragement at the moment of fear. The symbolic action has the accompanying verbal expression of **Do not be afraid** so as to illustrate the significance and symbolism of the cultural gesture. Alternate translation: “and he touched me with his right hand” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])\n +REV 1 17 vz4u translate-symaction καὶ ἔθηκεν τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ ἐπ’ ἐμὲ 1 Here, the subject of **and he placed his right hand on me** should be assumed from earlier in the context at verse [1:13](../01/13.md). Verse [1:13](../01/13.md) mentions one **like a son of man** as a description of Jesus Christ. If this might confuse your readers, you could explicitly state the subject as Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus placed his right hand on me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) +REV 1 17 jw5r translate-symaction καὶ ἔθηκεν τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ ἐπ’ ἐμὲ 1 He placed his right hand on me Here, the phrase **and he placed his right hand on me** signifies a cultural gesture or symbolic action that expresses comfort and assurance for the person who is need of encouragement at the moment of fear. The symbolic action has the accompanying verbal expression of **Do not be afraid** so as to illustrate the significance and symbolism of the cultural gesture. Alternate translation: “and he touched me with his right hand” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]]) REV 1 17 uc3d figs-merism ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος 1 I am the first and the last Here, **the first and the last** refers to the eternal nature of Jesus in a figure of expression known as a merism. This is to say, Jesus Christ exists in nature eternally in that he existed before anything else and he will continue to exist after everything else is gone. A merism gives a sense of a totality by a description that references two extreme parts of the entirety of a concept. In this case, the parts at the extremities of the entirety of the concept are the ordinals **first** and **last**. However, in the prior verse of [1:8](../01/08.md), the metaphor for eternity was described in terms of the Greek alphabet. In other words, the parts at the extremities of the entirety of the concept are the first (**alpha**) and last (**omega**) letters of the Greek alphabet. Yet, in this context here, the parts at the extremities are simply the ordinal numbers **first** and **last**. The translator may wish to find an equivalent phrase to express a merism in the culture of his target language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) -REV 1 18 zm05 καὶ ὁ ζῶν καὶ ἐγενόμην νεκρὸς 1 Here, the phrase **the one who lives** is a common description of God in both the Old and New Testaments. Essentially this common divine title is a phrase which communicates the notion that God has immortal life in his essential nature. In contrast to God, who lives in immortal essence and in his very being as the living God, mortal humans die because of their sinful nature. The translator may wish to find an equivalent description of God to express his immortal or eternal life as part of his essence or being. Alternate translation: "the living one" or "the one who gives life" -REV 1 18 cc7c figs-metaphor καὶ ἰδοὺ 1 Here, **Behold** is a word that focuses the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. The word literally means "look" or "see". However, in this case, the expression denotes the act of seeing figuratively by means of giving notice and attention. Alternate translation: "Listen carefully!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +REV 1 18 zm05 καὶ ὁ ζῶν καὶ ἐγενόμην νεκρὸς 1 Here, the phrase **the one who lives** is a common description of God in both the Old and New Testaments. Essentially this common divine title is a phrase which communicates the notion that God has immortal life in his essential nature. In contrast to God, who lives in immortal essence and in his very being as the living God, mortal humans die because of their sinful nature. The translator may wish to find an equivalent description of God to express his immortal or eternal life as part of his essence or being. Alternate translation: “the living one” or “the one who gives life” +REV 1 18 cc7c figs-metaphor καὶ ἰδοὺ 1 Here, **Behold** is a word that focuses the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. The word literally means “look” or “see”. However, in this case, the expression denotes the act of seeing figuratively by means of giving notice and attention. Alternate translation: “Listen carefully!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) REV 1 18 a4e2 figs-metaphor ἔχω τὰς κλεῖς τοῦ θανάτου καὶ τοῦ ᾍδου 1 I have the keys of death and of Hades Here, the phrase **I have the keys of death and of Hades** indicates a common metaphorical expression that symbolizes authority or power with the imagery of **keys**. This is to say, the idea of having the power over something is spoken of as having **the keys** to it. Alternate translation: “I have the power over death and over Hades” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) REV 1 18 pgql figs-explicit ἔχω τὰς κλεῖς τοῦ θανάτου καὶ τοῦ ᾍδου 1 The implied information is that he can give life to those who have died and let them out of **Hades**. As stated in the previous note, **keys** are a symbol of power or authority over something, since keys represent the ability to control a door, whether to open it or to lock it. The translator may wish to make the symbolic and cultural implications of having **keys** explicit by indicating the power or authority of controlling such items. Alternate translation: “I have the power to give life to people who have died and to let them out of Hades” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) -REV 1 18 acrx translate-transliterate τοῦ θανάτου καὶ τοῦ ᾍδου 1 Here, **Hades** in the phrase **of death and of Hades** denotes the world of the dead and is commonly transliterated directly from the Greek language and its cultural mythology, as here in the ULT translation. The word **Hades** signifies the place or location where deceased individuals go after their death within the cultural world of Greek mythology. The distinction between death and **Hades** is not great, but there is a slight difference. Death indicates the state of being dead. However, **Hades** represents the place of death. Thus, the translator might indicate the slight differences between the two words in this verse here when translating the expression. Alternate translation: "of death's state and of death's location" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate]])\n -REV 1 19 eupc figs-litany ἃ εἶδες, καὶ ἃ εἰσὶν, καὶ ἃ μέλλει γενέσθαι μετὰ ταῦτα 1 Here, the entire clause **what you have seen and what is and what is about to happen after these things** represents the three-part division of the entire Book of Revelation. This three-part division of the Book of Revelation is an example of the figure of speech known as a litany. A litany expresses a comprehensive notion so as to be inclusive of all without exceptions. In other words, The command to John requires that John write everything down in the book with no exceptions from what he is required to include in his work of composition. The translator may wish to indicate the use of this verse here as a natural three-part division of the book of Revelation. Alternatively, the translator may wish to reflect this actual reality in the translation of the three different clauses with their different tenses of verbs. Alternate translation: "that which you are seeing, that which exists now, and that which will happen afterwards" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) -REV 1 20 ytmk τὸ μυστήριον τῶν ἑπτὰ ἀστέρων 1 Here, **the mystery** means "the secret meaning" or "the symbolic meaning" in the sense of the inner meaning of a symbolic vision. The word **mystery** represents a matter that is hidden or secret. The notion of a **mystery** also implies that there exists a symbolic meaning that the Holy Spirit can allow one to understand and interpret correctly. The translator may wish to convey some of the nuances explained in this note that are inherent in the notion of the word **mystery**. Alternate translation: "the secret meaning of the seven stars" -REV 1 20 d6ez writing-symlanguage τῶν ἑπτὰ ἀστέρων 1 stars These **stars** are symbols that represent the **seven** angels of the **seven** churches or assemblies of believers. The number **seven** is often used in the Bible as a symbol for completeness and perfection. However, here the number **seven** simply refers to the number of churches addressed in chapters two and three of the Book of Revelation. Alternate translation: “the seven celestial bodies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]])\n +REV 1 18 acrx translate-transliterate τοῦ θανάτου καὶ τοῦ ᾍδου 1 Here, **Hades** in the phrase **of death and of Hades** denotes the world of the dead and is commonly transliterated directly from the Greek language and its cultural mythology, as here in the ULT translation. The word **Hades** signifies the place or location where deceased individuals go after their death within the cultural world of Greek mythology. The distinction between death and **Hades** is not great, but there is a slight difference. Death indicates the state of being dead. However, **Hades** represents the place of death. Thus, the translator might indicate the slight differences between the two words in this verse here when translating the expression. Alternate translation: “of death’s state and of death’s location” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate]]) +REV 1 19 eupc figs-litany ἃ εἶδες, καὶ ἃ εἰσὶν, καὶ ἃ μέλλει γενέσθαι μετὰ ταῦτα 1 Here, the entire clause **what you have seen and what is and what is about to happen after these things** represents the three-part division of the entire Book of Revelation. This three-part division of the Book of Revelation is an example of the figure of speech known as a litany. A litany expresses a comprehensive notion so as to be inclusive of all without exceptions. In other words, The command to John requires that John write everything down in the book with no exceptions from what he is required to include in his work of composition. The translator may wish to indicate the use of this verse here as a natural three-part division of the book of Revelation. Alternatively, the translator may wish to reflect this actual reality in the translation of the three different clauses with their different tenses of verbs. Alternate translation: “that which you are seeing, that which exists now, and that which will happen afterwards” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]]) +REV 1 20 ytmk τὸ μυστήριον τῶν ἑπτὰ ἀστέρων 1 Here, **the mystery** means “the secret meaning” or “the symbolic meaning” in the sense of the inner meaning of a symbolic vision. The word **mystery** represents a matter that is hidden or secret. The notion of a **mystery** also implies that there exists a symbolic meaning that the Holy Spirit can allow one to understand and interpret correctly. The translator may wish to convey some of the nuances explained in this note that are inherent in the notion of the word **mystery**. Alternate translation: “the secret meaning of the seven stars” +REV 1 20 d6ez writing-symlanguage τῶν ἑπτὰ ἀστέρων 1 stars These **stars** are symbols that represent the **seven** angels of the **seven** churches or assemblies of believers. The number **seven** is often used in the Bible as a symbol for completeness and perfection. However, here the number **seven** simply refers to the number of churches addressed in chapters two and three of the Book of Revelation. Alternate translation: “the seven celestial bodies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) REV 1 20 fl5d writing-symlanguage λυχνίας 1 lampstands These **lampstands** are symbols that represent the seven churches or assemblies of believers mentioned in chapters two and three of the book of Revelation. Note the previous translation of this imagery in verse [Revelation 1:12](../01/12.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) -REV 1 20 eek9 ἄγγελοι τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησιῶν 1 the angels of the seven churches Here, the phrase **the angels of the seven churches** could refer to: (1) heavenly angels who protect the seven churches. Alternatively, **the angels of the seven churches** are (2) human messengers who are sent to the seven churches. If **the angels** are human messengers, then, they could either be leaders of the seven churches or they could be the actual messengers who went from John bearing the Book of Revelation to the seven churches mentioned in\nverse [Revelation 1:11](../01/11.md). The translator should keep the apparent ambiguity of the symbolism and not try to specify either option of interpretation over the other. +REV 1 20 eek9 ἄγγελοι τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησιῶν 1 the angels of the seven churches Here, the phrase **the angels of the seven churches** could refer to: (1) heavenly angels who protect the seven churches. Alternatively, **the angels of the seven churches** are (2) human messengers who are sent to the seven churches. If **the angels** are human messengers, then, they could either be leaders of the seven churches or they could be the actual messengers who went from John bearing the Book of Revelation to the seven churches mentioned in verse [Revelation 1:11](../01/11.md). The translator should keep the apparent ambiguity of the symbolism and not try to specify either option of interpretation over the other. REV 1 20 e25n τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησιῶν 1 seven churches Here, the **seven churches** refers to seven assemblies of believers which actually existed in southwestern Asia Minor when John wrote the Book of Revelation. Note the translation of these **seven churches** in verse [Revelation 1:11](../01/11.md). -REV 2 intro zps2 0 # Revelation 2 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\n### Outline of Chapters Two and Three of Revelation\n\nI. The Current Condition of the Churches (2:1-3:22)\n\nA. The Letter to Ephesus (2:1-7)\n\nB. The Letter to Smyrna (2:8-11)\n\n\nC. The Letter to Pergamum (2:12-17)\n\n\nD. The Letter to Thyatira (2:18-29)\n\n\nE. The Letter to Sardis (3:1-6)\n\n\nF. The Letter to Philadelphia (3:7-13)\n\n\nG. The Letter to Laodicea (3:14-22)\n\n\nChapters 2 and 3 together are usually called the “seven letters to the seven churches.” You may wish to set each letter apart. The reader can then easily see that they are separate letters.\n\nSome translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULT does this with the quoted words of verse 27.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Poverty and wealth\n\nThe Christians in Smyrna were poor because they did not have much money. But they were rich spiritually because God would reward them for their suffering. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/spirit]])\n\n### “The devil is about to”\n\nPeople were about to take some of the Christians in Smyrna and throw them into prison and even kill some of them ([Revelation 2:10](../rev/02/10.md)). John does not say who these people were. But he does speak of them harming the Christians as if Satan himself were harming them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])\n\n### Balaam, Balak, and Jezebel\n\nBalaam, Balak, and Jezebel were people who lived long before Jesus was born. They all tried to harm the Israelites either by cursing them or by making them want to stop obeying God.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### “Let the one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches”\n\nThe writer knew that almost all of his readers had physical ears. The ear here is a metonym for hearing what God says and desiring to obey him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### “The angel of the church”\n\nThe word **angel** here can also mean “messenger.” This might refer to the messenger or leader of the church. See how you translated “angel” in [Revelation 1:20](../rev/01/20.md).\n\n### “The words of the one who”\n\nThe verses with these words can be difficult to translate. They do not make complete sentences. You may need to add “These are” to the beginning of these verses. Also, Jesus used these words to speak of himself as if he were speaking of another person. Your language may not allow people to speak of themselves as if they were speaking of other people. Jesus began speaking in [Revelation 1:17](../rev/01/17.md). He continues to speak through the end of Chapter 3. +REV 2 intro zps2 0 # Revelation 2 General Notes

## Structure and formatting

### Outline of Chapters Two and Three of Revelation

I. The Current Condition of the Churches (2:1-3:22)

A. The Letter to Ephesus (2:1-7)

B. The Letter to Smyrna (2:8-11)


C. The Letter to Pergamum (2:12-17)


D. The Letter to Thyatira (2:18-29)


E. The Letter to Sardis (3:1-6)


F. The Letter to Philadelphia (3:7-13)


G. The Letter to Laodicea (3:14-22)


Chapters 2 and 3 together are usually called the “seven letters to the seven churches.” You may wish to set each letter apart. The reader can then easily see that they are separate letters.

Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULT does this with the quoted words of verse 27.

## Special concepts in this chapter

### Poverty and wealth

The Christians in Smyrna were poor because they did not have much money. But they were rich spiritually because God would reward them for their suffering. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/spirit]])

### “The devil is about to”

People were about to take some of the Christians in Smyrna and throw them into prison and even kill some of them ([Revelation 2:10](../rev/02/10.md)). John does not say who these people were. But he does speak of them harming the Christians as if Satan himself were harming them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

### Balaam, Balak, and Jezebel

Balaam, Balak, and Jezebel were people who lived long before Jesus was born. They all tried to harm the Israelites either by cursing them or by making them want to stop obeying God.

## Important figures of speech in this chapter

### “Let the one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches”

The writer knew that almost all of his readers had physical ears. The ear here is a metonym for hearing what God says and desiring to obey him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

### “The angel of the church”

The word **angel** here can also mean “messenger.” This might refer to the messenger or leader of the church. See how you translated “angel” in [Revelation 1:20](../rev/01/20.md).

### “The words of the one who”

The verses with these words can be difficult to translate. They do not make complete sentences. You may need to add “These are” to the beginning of these verses. Also, Jesus used these words to speak of himself as if he were speaking of another person. Your language may not allow people to speak of themselves as if they were speaking of other people. Jesus began speaking in [Revelation 1:17](../rev/01/17.md). He continues to speak through the end of Chapter 3. REV 2 1 kq5r τῷ ἀγγέλῳ 1 the angel Here, **angel** could refer to: (1) a heavenly angel which protects the church at Ephesus. Alternatively, this **angel** is (2) a human messenger which is sent to the seven churches. If **the angel** is a human messenger, then it could refer to a leader of the church at Ephesus or, perhaps, to the actual messenger who went from John bearing the Book of Revelation to the church at Ephesus. Note that verse [Revelation 1:11](../01/11.md) would suggest the need for messengers to be sent to each of the seven churches in their seven cities. The translator should keep the apparent ambiguity of the symbolism and not try to specify either option of interpretation over the other. Note the translation of **angel** in [Revelation 1:20](../01/20.md). -REV 2 1 mn8x translate-names τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Ἐφέσῳ ἐκκλησίας γράψον 1 General Information: This is the beginning of Jesus Christ's message to the angel of the church in Ephesus. Ephesus is the name of one of the **seven churches**, or seven assemblies of believers, which existed in southwestern Asia Minor when John wrote the Book of Revelation. Note the translation of the **seven churches** in verse [Revelation 1:11](../01/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) -REV 2 1 q1ck writing-pronouns ὁ κρατῶν τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἀστέρας ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ, ὁ περιπατῶν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἑπτὰ λυχνιῶν τῶν χρυσῶν 1 Here, the implied subject of the two clauses is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the assumed subject from the context established in the previous chapter one. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the intended reference to Jesus Christ explicitly. Alternate translation: "Jesus Christ, the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) +REV 2 1 mn8x translate-names τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Ἐφέσῳ ἐκκλησίας γράψον 1 General Information: This is the beginning of Jesus Christ’s message to the angel of the church in Ephesus. Ephesus is the name of one of the **seven churches**, or seven assemblies of believers, which existed in southwestern Asia Minor when John wrote the Book of Revelation. Note the translation of the **seven churches** in verse [Revelation 1:11](../01/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) +REV 2 1 q1ck writing-pronouns ὁ κρατῶν τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἀστέρας ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ, ὁ περιπατῶν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἑπτὰ λυχνιῶν τῶν χρυσῶν 1 Here, the implied subject of the two clauses is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the assumed subject from the context established in the previous chapter one. If this might confuse your readers, you could say the intended reference to Jesus Christ explicitly. Alternate translation: “Jesus Christ, the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]]) REV 2 1 i92a writing-symlanguage ἀστέρας 1 stars These **stars** are symbols. The **stars** represent the seven angels of the seven churches. Note the translations of **stars** in [Revelation 1:16](../01/16.md) and [Revelation 1:20](../01/20.md). The figure of speech is that of symbolic language which is common to the Book of Revelation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) REV 2 1 ugs3 writing-symlanguage τῶν ἑπτὰ λυχνιῶν τῶν χρυσῶν 1 lampstands The **golden lampstands** are symbols that represent the seven churches, or seven assemblies of believers. See how you translated **lampstands** in [Revelation 1:12](../01/12.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) REV 2 2 jg1u figs-abstractnouns οἶδα…τὸν κόπον καὶ τὴν ὑπομονήν σου 1 I know … your hard labor and your patient endurance If your readers would misunderstand the abstract nouns **labor** and **endurance**, you can express them with the verbs “work” and “endure.” Alternate translation: “I know … that you laboured very hard and that you patiently suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) -REV 2 2 l6mv figs-youcrowd τὰ ἔργα σου, καὶ τὸν κόπον καὶ τὴν ὑπομονήν σου, καὶ ὅτι οὐ δύνῃ βαστάσαι κακούς; καὶ ἐπείρασας τοὺς λέγοντας ἑαυτοὺς ἀποστόλους, καὶ οὐκ εἰσίν, καὶ εὗρες αὐτοὺς ψευδεῖς 1 The second person pronouns and the second person individuals addressed throughout this verse are all singular in their number but plural in their references. In other words, all the second person references in the verbs and the pronouns, although singular in their literal sense, are plural in their implied references to the believers of the church at Ephesus. If the singular form of the second person address and the second person verbal references would not be natural in your language, then perhaps the translator could use the plural forms of the second person, or "you" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-youcrowd]]) -REV 2 2 sxbf figs-nominaladj κακούς 1 Here, **evil people** translates directly an adjective in the Greek that signifies simply "wicked" or **evil**. Thus, the translator must supply a noun that the adjective is describing through an assumed implication. The natural assumption for the noun to be supplied would be human individuals who were people in the surrounding community of those being addressed here. Alternate translation: "wayward people" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]]) +REV 2 2 l6mv figs-youcrowd τὰ ἔργα σου, καὶ τὸν κόπον καὶ τὴν ὑπομονήν σου, καὶ ὅτι οὐ δύνῃ βαστάσαι κακούς; καὶ ἐπείρασας τοὺς λέγοντας ἑαυτοὺς ἀποστόλους, καὶ οὐκ εἰσίν, καὶ εὗρες αὐτοὺς ψευδεῖς 1 The second person pronouns and the second person individuals addressed throughout this verse are all singular in their number but plural in their references. In other words, all the second person references in the verbs and the pronouns, although singular in their literal sense, are plural in their implied references to the believers of the church at Ephesus. If the singular form of the second person address and the second person verbal references would not be natural in your language, then perhaps the translator could use the plural forms of the second person, or “you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-youcrowd]]) +REV 2 2 sxbf figs-nominaladj κακούς 1 Here, **evil people** translates directly an adjective in the Greek that signifies simply “wicked” or **evil**. Thus, the translator must supply a noun that the adjective is describing through an assumed implication. The natural assumption for the noun to be supplied would be human individuals who were people in the surrounding community of those being addressed here. Alternate translation: “wayward people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]]) REV 2 2 ka9e εὗρες αὐτοὺς ψευδεῖς 1 you have found them to be false Alternate translation: “you have recognized that those people are false apostles” REV 2 3 muq8 figs-metonymy διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου 1 because of my name Here, **name** is a metonym for the person of Jesus Christ. Alternate translation: “because of me” or “because you believe in my name” or “because you believe in me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) REV 2 3 j46d figs-metaphor οὐ κεκοπίακες 1 you have not grown weary Being discouraged is spoken of as growing **weary**. Alternate translation: “you have not become discouraged” or “you have not quit” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) @@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ REV 2 28 c1zc καὶ δώσω αὐτῷ 1 I will also give him Here, **him** REV 2 28 g5iy writing-symlanguage τὸν ἀστέρα τὸν πρωϊνόν 1 morning star This is a bright **star** that sometimes appears early in the **morning** just before dawn. It was a symbol of victory. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) REV 2 29 ilk8 figs-metonymy ὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω 1 Let the one who has an ear, hear Jesus is emphasizing that what he has just said is important and may take some effort to understand and put into practice. Here, the phrase **has an ear** is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. See how you translated this phrase in [Revelation 2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “Let the one who is willing to listen, listen to” or “The one who is willing to understand, let him understand and obey” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) REV 2 29 ikm8 figs-123person ὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω 1 Let the one … hear Since Jesus is speaking directly to his audience, you may prefer to use the second person here. See how you translated this phrase in [Revelation 2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “If you are willing to listen, listen to” or “If you are willing to understand, then understand and obey” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) -REV 3 intro q1l9 0 # Revelation 3 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\n### Outline of Chapters Two and Three of Revelation\n\n\nI. The Current Condition of the Churches (2:1-3:22)\n\nA. The Letter to Ephesus (2:1-7)\n\nB. The Letter to Smyrna (2:8-11)\n\nC. The Letter to Pergamum (2:12-17)\n\nD. The Letter to Thyatira (2:18-29)\n\nE. The Letter to Sardis (3:1-6)\n\nF. The Letter to Philadelphia (3:7-13)\n\nG. The Letter to Laodicea (3:14-22)\n\n\n\nChapters 2 and 3 together are usually called the “seven letters to the seven churches.” You may wish to set each letter apart. The reader can then easily see that they are separate letters.\n\nSome translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with verse 7.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Seven spirits of God\n\nThese spirits are the seven spirits of [Revelation 1:4](../rev/01/04.md).\n\n### Seven stars\n\nThese stars are the seven stars of [Revelation 1:20](../rev/01/20.md).\n\n## Important metaphors in this chapter\n\n### Look, I am standing at the door and am knocking\n\nJesus speaks of his desire to have the Christians in Laodicea obey him as if he were a man asking people in a house to allow him to enter and eat with them ([Revelation 3:20](../rev/03/20.md)). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])\n\n### “Let the one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches”\n\nThe speaker knew that almost all of his readers had physical ears. The ear here is a metonym for hearing what God says and desiring to obey him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### “The angel of the church”\n\nThe word **angel** here can also mean “messenger.” This might refer to the messenger or leader of the church. See how you translated “angel” in [Revelation 1:20](../rev/01/20.md).\n\n### “The words of the one who”\n\nThe verses with these words can be difficult to translate. They do not make complete sentences. You may need to add “These are” to the beginning of these verses. Also, Jesus used these words to speak of himself as if he were speaking of another person. Your language may not allow people to speak of themselves as if they were speaking of other people. Jesus began speaking in [Revelation 1:17](../rev/01/17.md). He continues to speak through the end of Chapter 3. +REV 3 intro q1l9 0 # Revelation 3 General Notes

## Structure and formatting

### Outline of Chapters Two and Three of Revelation


I. The Current Condition of the Churches (2:1-3:22)

A. The Letter to Ephesus (2:1-7)

B. The Letter to Smyrna (2:8-11)

C. The Letter to Pergamum (2:12-17)

D. The Letter to Thyatira (2:18-29)

E. The Letter to Sardis (3:1-6)

F. The Letter to Philadelphia (3:7-13)

G. The Letter to Laodicea (3:14-22)



Chapters 2 and 3 together are usually called the “seven letters to the seven churches.” You may wish to set each letter apart. The reader can then easily see that they are separate letters.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with verse 7.

## Special concepts in this chapter

### Seven spirits of God

These spirits are the seven spirits of [Revelation 1:4](../rev/01/04.md).

### Seven stars

These stars are the seven stars of [Revelation 1:20](../rev/01/20.md).

## Important metaphors in this chapter

### Look, I am standing at the door and am knocking

Jesus speaks of his desire to have the Christians in Laodicea obey him as if he were a man asking people in a house to allow him to enter and eat with them ([Revelation 3:20](../rev/03/20.md)). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

### “Let the one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches”

The speaker knew that almost all of his readers had physical ears. The ear here is a metonym for hearing what God says and desiring to obey him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

### “The angel of the church”

The word **angel** here can also mean “messenger.” This might refer to the messenger or leader of the church. See how you translated “angel” in [Revelation 1:20](../rev/01/20.md).

### “The words of the one who”

The verses with these words can be difficult to translate. They do not make complete sentences. You may need to add “These are” to the beginning of these verses. Also, Jesus used these words to speak of himself as if he were speaking of another person. Your language may not allow people to speak of themselves as if they were speaking of other people. Jesus began speaking in [Revelation 1:17](../rev/01/17.md). He continues to speak through the end of Chapter 3. REV 3 1 k6b7 0 General Information: This is the beginning of the Son of Man’s message to the angel of the church in Sardis. REV 3 1 u1zs τῷ ἀγγέλῳ 1 the angel Here, **the angel** could refer to: (1) a heavenly angel who protects this church. (2) a human messenger to the church, either a messenger who went from John to the church or the leader of the churches. See how you translated “angel” in [Revelation 1:20](../01/20.md). REV 3 1 q7n9 translate-names Σάρδεσιν 1 Sardis **Sardis** is the name of a city in the western part of Asia that today is modern Turkey. See how you translated this in [Revelation 1:11](../01/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) @@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ REV 13 intro c9mw 0 # Revelation 13 General Notes

## Structure and for REV 13 1 su49 0 General Information: John begins to describe a beast who appears in his vision. Here, **I** refers to John. REV 13 2 k6qh writing-symlanguage δράκων 1 dragon The **dragon** was a large, fierce reptile, like a lizard. For Jewish people, it was a symbol of evil and chaos. The dragon is also identified as “the devil or Satan.” See how you translated this in [Revelation 12:3](../12/03.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-symlanguage]]) REV 13 2 xa3a ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ δράκων τὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ 1 The dragon gave his power to it The **dragon** made the beast as powerful as he was. He did not lose **his power**, however, by giving it to the beast. -REV 13 2 c4wx ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ δράκων τὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξουσίαν μεγάλην 1 his power … his throne, and his great authority to rule The words **power**, **throne**, and **authority** are three ways of referring to the dragon's authority, and together they emphasize that the authority was great. +REV 13 2 c4wx ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ δράκων τὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξουσίαν μεγάλην 1 his power … his throne, and his great authority to rule The words **power**, **throne**, and **authority** are three ways of referring to the dragon’s authority, and together they emphasize that the authority was great. REV 13 2 gyv9 figs-metonymy τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ 1 his throne Here, **throne** refers to the dragon’s authority to rule as king. Alternate translation: “his royal authority” or “his authority to rule as king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) REV 13 3 yt22 figs-activepassive καὶ ἡ πληγὴ τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ ἐθεραπεύθη 1 but its fatal wound was healed If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “but its fatal wound healed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) REV 13 3 ba2z ἡ πληγὴ τοῦ θανάτου 1 fatal wound This is an injury that is serious enough to cause a person to die. Alternate translation: “deadly wound”