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Revelation 2
Revelation 2:1
General Information:
This is the beginning of the Son of Man's message to the angel of the church in Ephesus.
the angel
Possible meanings are that this "angel" is 1) a heavenly angel who protects this church or 2) a human messenger to the church, either a messenger who went from John to the church or the leader of the church. See how you translated "angel" in Revelation 1:20.
stars
These stars are symbols. They represent the seven angels of the seven churches. See how you translated this in Revelation 1:16. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-symlanguage)
lampstands
The lampstands are symbols that represent the seven churches. See how you translated this in Revelation 1:12. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-symlanguage)
Revelation 2:2
I know ... your hard labor, and your patient endurance
"Labor" and "endurance" are abstract nouns and can be translated with verbs "work" and "endure." Alternate translation: "I know ... that you work very hard and that you endure patiently" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
but are not
"but are not apostles"
you have found them to be false
"you have recognized that those people are false apostles"
Revelation 2:3
for my name
"Name" here 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/jit/figs-metonymy)
you have not grown weary
Being discouraged is spoken of as being tired. Alternate translation: "you have not become discouraged" or "you have not quit" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Revelation 2:4
I have against you the fact that
"I disapprove of you because" or "I am angry with you because"
you have left behind your first love
To stop doing something is spoken of as leaving it behind. Love is spoken of as if it is an object that can be left behind. Alternate translation: "you have stopped loving me as you did at the beginning" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Revelation 2:5
from where you have fallen
No longer loving as much as they used to is spoken of as haven fallen. Alternate translation: "how much you have changed" or "how much you used to love me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Unless you repent
"If you do not repent"
remove your lampstand
The lampstands are symbols that represent the seven churches. See how you translated "lampstand" in Revelation 1:12. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-symlanguage)
Revelation 2:6
Nicolaitans
people who followed the teachings of a man named Nicolaus (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Revelation 2:7
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. The phrase "has an ear" here is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. 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/jit/figs-metonymy)
Let the one ... hear
Since Jesus is speaking directly to his audience, you may prefer to use the second person here. 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/jit/figs-123person)
the one who conquers
This refers to anyone who conquers. Alternate translation: "anyone who resists evil" or "those who do not agree to do evil" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-genericnoun)
the paradise of God
"God's garden." This is a symbol for heaven.
Revelation 2:8
General Information:
This is the beginning of the Son of Man's message to the angel of the church in Smyrna.
the angel
Possible meanings are that this "angel" is 1) a heavenly angel who protects this church or 2) a human messenger to the church, either a messenger who went from John to the church or the leader of the church. See how you translated "angel" in Revelation 1:20.
Smyrna
This is the name of a city in a part of western Asia that today is modern Turkey. See how you translated this in Revelation 1:11. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
the first and the last
This refers to the eternal nature of Jesus. See how you translated this in Revelation 1:17. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism)
Revelation 2:9
I know your sufferings and your poverty
"Sufferings" and "poverty" can be translated as verbs. Alternate translation: "I know how you have suffered and how poor you are" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
I know the slander of those who say they are Jews
"Slander" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "I know how people have slandered you—those who say they are Jews" or "I know how people have said terrible things about you—those who say they are Jews" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
but they are not
"but they are not real Jews"
a synagogue of Satan
People who gather to obey or honor Satan are spoken of as if they were a synagogue, a place of worship and teaching for the Jews. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Revelation 2:10
The devil is about to throw some of you into prison
The words "The devil" here are a metonym for the people who obey the devil. Alternate translation: "The devil will soon cause others to put some of you in prison" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Be faithful until death
"Be faithful to me even if they kill you." The use of the word "until" does not mean that you should stop being faithful at death.
the crown
"the winner's crown." This was a wreath, originally of olive branches or laurel leaves, that was put on the head of a victorious athlete.
the crown of life
Possible meanings are 1) "a crown that shows that I have given you eternal life" or 2) "true life as a prize like a winner's crown" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Revelation 2:11
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. The phrase "has an ear" here is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. See how you translated this phrase in Revelation 2:7. 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/jit/figs-metonymy)
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. 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/jit/figs-123person)
The one who conquers
This refers to anyone who conquers. See how you translated this in Revelation 2:7. Alternate translation: "Anyone who resists evil" or "Those who do not agree to do evil" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-genericnoun)
will not be hurt by the second death
"will not experience the second death" or "will not die a second time"
Revelation 2:12
General Information:
This is the beginning of the Son of Man's message to the angel of the church in Pergamum.
the angel
Possible meanings are that this "angel" is 1) a heavenly angel who protects this church or 2) a human messenger to the church, either a messenger who went from John to the church or the leader of the church. See how you translated "angel" in Revelation 1:20.
Pergamum
This is the name of a city in a part of western Asia that today is modern Turkey. See how you translated this in Revelation 1:11. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
the sword with two sharp edges
This refers to a double-edged sword, which is sharpened on both sides to cut both directions. See how you translated this in Revelation 1:16
Revelation 2:13
Satan's throne
Possible meanings are 1) Satan's power and evil influence on people, or 2) the place where Satan rules. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
you hold on tightly to my name
"Name" here is a metonym for the person. Firmly believing is spoken of as holding on tightly. Alternate translation: "you firmly believe in me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
you did not deny your faith in me
"Faith" can be translated with the verb "believe." Alternate translation: "you continued to tell people that you believe in me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Antipas
This is the name of a man. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you
"I disapprove of you because of a few things you have done" or "I am angry with you because of a few things you did." See how you translated a similar phrase in Revelation 2:4.
who hold tightly to the teaching of Balaam, who
Possible meanings are 1) "who teach what Balaam taught; he" or 2) "who do what Balaam taught; he." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Balak
This is the name of a king. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the sons of Israel
Something that leads people to sin is spoken of as a stone in the road that people stumble on. Alternate translation: "who showed Balak how to cause the people of Israel to sin" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
be sexually immoral
"sin sexually" or "commit sexual sin"
Revelation 2:15
Nicolaitans
This was the name for a group of people who followed the teachings of a man named Nicolaus. See how you translated this in Revelation 2:6 (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Revelation 2:16
Repent, therefore
"So repent"
If you do not, I
The verb can be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "If you do not repent, I" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)
wage war against them
"fight against them"
with the sword in my mouth
This refers to the sword in Revelation 1:16. Although symbols in apocalyptic language are not normally to be replaced with the item they represent, translators may choose whether or not to show that this as a symbol represents God's word, as the UDB does. This symbol indicates that Christ will defeat his enemies by giving a simple command. Alternate translation: "with the sword in my mouth, which is the word of God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-symlanguage)
Revelation 2:17
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. The phrase "has an ear" here is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. See how you translated this phrase in Revelation 2:7. 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/jit/figs-metonymy)
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. 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/jit/figs-123person)
To the one who conquers
This refers to anyone who conquers. See how you translated this in Revelation 2:7. Alternate translation: "anyone who resists evil" or "those who do not agree to do evil" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-genericnoun)
Revelation 2:18
General Information:
This is the beginning of the Son of Man's message to the angel of the church in Thyatira.
the angel
Possible meanings are that this "angel" is 1) a heavenly angel who protects this church or 2) a human messenger to the church, either a messenger who went from John to the church or the leader of the church. See how you translated "angel" in Revelation 1:20.
Thyatira
This is the name of a city in a part of western Asia that today is modern Turkey. See how you translated this in Revelation 1:11. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Son of God
This is an important title for Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples)
who has eyes like a flame of fire
His eyes are describes as being full of light like a flame of fire. See how you translated this in Revelation 1:14. Alternate translation: "whose eyes glow like a flame of fire" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
feet like polished bronze
Bronze is polished to make it shine and reflect light. See how you translated this in Revelation 1:15. Alternate translation: "whose feet are very shiny like polished bronze" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Revelation 2:19
your love and faith and service and your patient endurance
The abstract nouns "love," "faith," "service," and "endurance" can be translated with verbs. Alternate translation: "How you have loved, trusted, served, and endured patiently" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
your love and faith and service and your patient endurance
The implied objects of these verbs can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "How you have loved me and others, trusted me, served me and others, and endured troubles patiently" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you
"But I disapprove of some of the things you are doing" or "But I am angry with you because of something you are doing." See how you translated a similar phrase in Revelation 2:4.
the woman Jezebel, who
Jesus spoke of a certain woman in their church as if she were Queen Jezebel because she did the same kinds of sinful things that Queen Jezebel had done long before that time. Alternate translation: "the woman who is just like Jezebel and" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Revelation 2:21
I gave her time to repent
"I gave her opportunity to repent" or "I waited for her to repent"
Revelation 2:22
I will throw her onto a sickbed ... into great suffering
Her having to lie in bed would be the result of Jesus making her very sick. Alternate translation: "I will make her lie sick in bed ... I will make suffer greatly" or "I will make her very sick ... I will make suffer greatly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
those who commit adultery with her into great suffering
Jesus speaks of causing people to suffer as throwing them into suffering. Alternate translation: "I will make those who commit adultery with her to suffer greatly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
commit adultery
"practice adultery"
unless they repent of her deeds
This implies that they have participated with her in her wicked behavior. By repenting of her deeds, they also repent of participating in her behavior. Alternate translation: "if they do not repent from doing the evil that she does" or "if they do not repent of participating in her deeds" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Revelation 2:23
I will strike her children dead
"I will kill her children"
her children
Jesus spoke of her followers as if they were her children. Alternate translation: 'her followers" or "the people who do what she teaches" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
thoughts and hearts
The term "heart" a metonym that represents feelings and desires. Alternate translation: "what people think and want" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
I will give to each one of you
This is an expression about punishment and reward. Alternate translation: "I will punish or reward each one of you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Revelation 2:24
everyone who does not hold this teaching
Believing a teaching is spoken of as holding the teaching. Alternate translation: "everyone who does not believe this teaching" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
does not hold this teaching
The noun "teaching" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "does not hold to what she teaches" or "does not believe what she teaches"
deep things
Secret things are spoken of as if they were deep. Alternate translation: "secret things" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Revelation 2:25
General Information:
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Revelation 2:26
The one who conquers
This refers to anyone who conquers. See how you translated this in Revelation 2:7. Alternate translation: "Anyone who resists evil" or "The person who does not agree to do evil" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-genericnoun)
keeps my deeds
"does what I command him to do"
Revelation 2:27
He will rule ... break them into pieces
This is a prophecy from the Old Testament about a king of Israel, but Jesus applies it here to those to whom he gives authority over the nations.
He will rule them with an iron rod
Ruling harshly is spoken of as ruling with an iron rod. Alternate translation: "He will rule them harshly as if striking them with an iron stick" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
like clay jars he will break them into pieces
Breaking them to pieces is an image that represents either 1) destroying evildoers or 2) defeating enemies. Alternate translation: "He will defeat his enemies completely as if breaking clay jars into pieces" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Revelation 2:28
Just as I have received from my Father
Some languages may need to tell what was received. Possible meanings are 1) "Just as I have received authority from my Father" or 2) "Just as I have received the morning star from my Father." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
my Father
This is an important title for God that describes the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples)
I will also give him
Here "him" refers to the one who conquers.
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/jit/writing-symlanguage)
Revelation 2:29
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. The phrase "has an ear" here is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. See how you translated this phrase in Revelation 2:7. 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/jit/figs-metonymy)
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. 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/jit/figs-123person)