(After some time passes, the seventy disciples return to where Jesus was.)
## seventy ##
You may want to add a footnote: "Some versions have '72' instead of '70.'"
## The seventy returned ##
Some languages will need to say that the seventy actually went out first as the UDB does. This is implicit information that can be made explicit. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]].)
## I was watching Satan fall from heaven as lightening ##
Jesus used a simile to describe how God was defeating Satan when his 70 disciples were preaching in the towns.
## authority to tread on serpents and scorpions ##
"authority to step on snakes and crush scorpions." Possible meanings are 1) this refers to actual snakes and scorpions or 2) snakes and scorpions are a metaphor for evil spirits. The UDB translates this as referring to evil spirits: "I have given you the right to attack evil spirits." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
## tread on serpents and scorpions ##
This implies that they would do this and not be injured. You can make this explicit: "walk on snakes and scorpions and not be hurt."
## over all the power of the enemy ##
"I have given you authority to crush the power of the enemy" or "I have given you authority to defeat the enemy." The enemy is Satan.
## rejoice in this ##
The words "in this" refer to the following phrase "that the spirits submit to you."
## your names are engraved in heaven ##
This can be translated as an active verb "God has written your names in heaven" or "your names are on the list of people who are citizens of heaven."
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