Revelation 2:8-10
New English Translation
To the Church in Smyrna
8 “To[a] the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following:[b]
“This is the solemn pronouncement of[c] the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but[d] came to life: 9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering[e] and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know[f] the slander against you[g] by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue[h] of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown[i] into prison so you may be tested,[j] and you will experience suffering[k] for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.[l]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Revelation 2:8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated due to differences between Greek and English style.
- Revelation 2:8 tn The phrase “the following” after “write” is supplied to clarify that what follows is the content of what is to be written.
- Revelation 2:8 tn Grk “These things says [the One]…” See the note on the phrase “this is the solemn pronouncement of” in 2:1.sn The expression This is the solemn pronouncement of reflects an OT idiom. See the note on this phrase in 2:1.
- Revelation 2:8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present between these two phrases.
- Revelation 2:9 tn Or “know your suffering.” This could refer to suffering or distress caused by persecution (see L&N 22.2).
- Revelation 2:9 tn Because of the length and complexity of this Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the phrase “I also know” to link this English sentence back to “I know” at the beginning of the verse.
- Revelation 2:9 tn The words “against you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
- Revelation 2:9 sn A synagogue was a place for Jewish prayer and worship, with recognized leadership (e.g., Mt 4:23, Mk 1:21, Lk 4:15, Jn 6:59).
- Revelation 2:10 tn Grk “is about to throw some of you,” but the force is causative in context.
- Revelation 2:10 tn Or “tempted.”
- Revelation 2:10 tn Or “experience persecution,” “will be in distress” (see L&N 22.2).
- Revelation 2:10 tn Grk “crown of life,” with the genitive “of life” (τῆς ζωῆς, tēs zōēs) functioning in apposition to “crown” (στέφανον, stephanon): “the crown that consists of life.”
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