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OET (OET-LV) And they_are_singing the song of_Mōsaʸs/(Mosheh), the slave of_ the _god, and the song of_the lamb saying:
Great and marvellous are the works of_you, master the god the almighty.
righteous and true are the ways of_you, the king of_the ages.
OET (OET-RV) and singing this song that came from God’s slave Mosheh, and from the lamb, which went:
⇔ “What you do, Yahweh God, ruler over everything,
⇔ is powerful and marvellous.
⇔ Your ways PATHS? are fair and honest,
⇔ king of the ages.[fn]
15:2 TC: There’s a textual variant here where some manuscripts have ‘εθνων’ (nations) and other readings instead of the older reading: ‘αἰώνων’ (ages).
In this section, John saw another sign in heaven. The sign was seven angels ready to cause seven plagues. He also saw a group of believers who had not submitted to Satan. They sang a song of praise to God and Jesus. Then he saw the seven angels prepare to inflict the plagues on those who refused to submit to God.
Other examples of headings for this section are:
John saw seven angels empowered to cause seven plagues and a group of believers in heaven
The believers who were victorious over the beast sang praise
and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses
and they were singing the song of God’s slave/servant Moses
They began singing the song from Moses, who served God,
sang: The Greek grammar probably indicates that the people sang for some time. For example:
were singing (NJB)
the song of God’s servant Moses: The phrase God’s servant describes Moses.
the song of…Moses: The phrase the song of…Moses probably refers to:
A song that Moses sang or wrote that is not recorded in the Old Testament.Aune (page 872) perhaps leans this way.
A song with some of the same themes as Moses’ songs in Exodus 15:1–18 and Deuteronomy 32:1–43.Osbourne (page 560).
Translate in a way that allows for one or both meanings. For example:
the song belonging to Moses
the song by Moses
the song that…Moses…had sung (CEV)
servant: The Greek word that the BSB translates as servant can also be translated as “slave.” The word indicates that Moses belonged to God and served him. The word “slave” is used figuratively to indicate that Moses obeyed God well. See how you translated this word in 7:3 or 11:18.
and of the Lamb:
and the song to the Lamb, which was:
and the Lamb’s song. They sang,
and of the Lamb: This phrase probably indicates that this song is about Jesus or is a song to Jesus.Beale (page 792) says, “The saints praise the Lamb’s victory.” Smalley (page 386) says the hymn is to both God and his Son. For example:
the song sung to the LambOtomi Back Translation on TW.
the song about the Lamb
the Lamb: This phrase is a symbolic title for Jesus. See how you translated this title in 5:6 or 14:1.
The Greek word usually translated “saying” occurs before the words of the song. It indicates that the words of the song follow in 15:3c–4e. The BSB and other English versions use the colon (:) to indicate that the words of the song follow. Indicate that 15:3c–4e are the words of the song. For example:
and the song of the Lamb, saying, (RSV)
and the song of the Lamb, which was:
“Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty!
“Lord God All-Powerful, your deeds are great and marvelous/amazing.
“Lord God, the one who has all power. Your deeds are spectacular and wonderful.
Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty!: The direct address to God occurs after what is said to him. In some languages it is more natural to have the direct address first. For example:
Lord God Almighty, great and wonderful are your deeds
In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate works using a verb. For example:
Lord God All-Powerful, the things you have done are great and wonderful!
Great and wonderful are Your works: The BSB and other English versions have the description before the thing described. This is an English poetic style. In some languages it is more natural to have the description second. For example:
Your deeds are great and wonderful
Lord: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Lord means “the one who has authority over (others),” or “owner.” God is ruler over all things. See how you translated this word in 1:8 or 14:13.
Almighty: This word is a title which means, “one with the power to do anything.” For example:
the All-Powerful (NET)
See how you translated this word in 1:8 or 11:17.
Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!
King of the nations, your ways are just/right and true.
Ruler of the nations! All that you do and say is upright and true.
Just and true are Your ways: The BSB and other English versions place the description before the thing described. This is an English poetic style. In some languages it is more natural to place the description second. For example:
Your ways are just and true
Just: Here the word Just refers to doing what is right. Other ways to translate this word are:
right (GNT)
upright (NJB)
true: Here the word true refers to God’s ways not being deceitful.
ways: This word usually means “roads” or “paths.” It refers here to actions, sayings, and attitudes that show what kind of person someone is. In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate this word using a verb or verbs. For example:
all that you do and say
O King of the nations: There are two issues with this phrase.
Issue 1—The Greek text
There is a textual issue here:
Some Greek manuscripts have the nations. For example:
Just and true are your ways, King of the nations! (NRSV) (BSB, GNT, NJB, NIV11, NRSV, NASB, NABRE, NLT, GW, CEV, NET, NCV, ESV)
Some Greek manuscripts have the ages. For example:
just and true are your ways, O King of the ages (REB) (RSV, NIV84, REB)
A few later Greek manuscripts have the saints. For example:
just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints (KJV) (KJV)
It is recommended that you follow option (1).The UBS Greek NT supports option (1) with reasonable confidence.
Issue 2—Direct address
In the Greek and the BSB, this direct address to God occurs after what is said to him. In some languages it is more natural to have the direct address first. For example:
King of the nations, just and true are your ways
Ruler of all nations! Just and true are your ways!
Note 1 topic: writing-pronouns
ᾄδουσιν τὴν ᾠδὴν Μωϋσέως, τοῦ δούλου τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τὴν ᾠδὴν τοῦ Ἀρνίου
˱they˲_˓are˒_singing (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ᾄδουσιν τήν ᾠδήν Μωϋσέως τοῦ δούλου τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τήν ᾠδήν τοῦ Ἀρνίου λέγοντες Μεγάλα καί θαυμαστά τά ἔργα σοῦ Κύριε ὁ Θεός ὁ Παντοκράτωρ Δίκαιαι καί ἀληθιναί αἱ ὁδοί σοῦ ὁ Βασιλεύς τῶν αἰώνων)
This could mean implicitly: (1) that these victorious believers sing one song. Alternate translation: [they sing a song that Moses, the servant of God, sang and that the Lamb now sings] (2) that these victorious believers sing two songs. Alternate translation: [they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and they also sing the song of the Lamb]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet
μεγάλα καὶ θαυμαστὰ τὰ ἔργα σου
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ᾄδουσιν τήν ᾠδήν Μωϋσέως τοῦ δούλου τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τήν ᾠδήν τοῦ Ἀρνίου λέγοντες Μεγάλα καί θαυμαστά τά ἔργα σοῦ Κύριε ὁ Θεός ὁ Παντοκράτωρ Δίκαιαι καί ἀληθιναί αἱ ὁδοί σοῦ ὁ Βασιλεύς τῶν αἰώνων)
The terms Great and marvelous mean similar things. The victorious believers are using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [Your deeds are amazing]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet
δίκαιαι καὶ ἀληθιναὶ αἱ ὁδοί σου
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ᾄδουσιν τήν ᾠδήν Μωϋσέως τοῦ δούλου τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τήν ᾠδήν τοῦ Ἀρνίου λέγοντες Μεγάλα καί θαυμαστά τά ἔργα σοῦ Κύριε ὁ Θεός ὁ Παντοκράτωρ Δίκαιαι καί ἀληθιναί αἱ ὁδοί σοῦ ὁ Βασιλεύς τῶν αἰώνων)
The terms Righteous and true mean similar things. The victorious believers are using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [Your ways are completely righteous]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
αἱ ὁδοί σου
the ways (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ᾄδουσιν τήν ᾠδήν Μωϋσέως τοῦ δούλου τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τήν ᾠδήν τοῦ Ἀρνίου λέγοντες Μεγάλα καί θαυμαστά τά ἔργα σοῦ Κύριε ὁ Θεός ὁ Παντοκράτωρ Δίκαιαι καί ἀληθιναί αἱ ὁδοί σοῦ ὁ Βασιλεύς τῶν αἰώνων)
The victorious believers are singing about God’s actions as if they were ways or paths that God was walking on. Alternate translation: [are your actions]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession
ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων
¬the ¬the ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ᾄδουσιν τήν ᾠδήν Μωϋσέως τοῦ δούλου τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τήν ᾠδήν τοῦ Ἀρνίου λέγοντες Μεγάλα καί θαυμαστά τά ἔργα σοῦ Κύριε ὁ Θεός ὁ Παντοκράτωρ Δίκαιαι καί ἀληθιναί αἱ ὁδοί σοῦ ὁ Βασιλεύς τῶν αἰώνων)
The believers are using a possessive form to describe not what God rules over but for how long God will rule. Alternate translation: [you who will be king for all eternity]
Note 6 topic: translate-textvariants
ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων
¬the ¬the ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ᾄδουσιν τήν ᾠδήν Μωϋσέως τοῦ δούλου τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τήν ᾠδήν τοῦ Ἀρνίου λέγοντες Μεγάλα καί θαυμαστά τά ἔργα σοῦ Κύριε ὁ Θεός ὁ Παντοκράτωρ Δίκαιαι καί ἀληθιναί αἱ ὁδοί σοῦ ὁ Βασιλεύς τῶν αἰώνων)
Some ancient manuscripts read King of the Ages. ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “King of the Nations.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT.
OET (OET-LV) And they_are_singing the song of_Mōsaʸs/(Mosheh), the slave of_ the _god, and the song of_the lamb saying:
Great and marvellous are the works of_you, master the god the almighty.
righteous and true are the ways of_you, the king of_the ages.
OET (OET-RV) and singing this song that came from God’s slave Mosheh, and from the lamb, which went:
⇔ “What you do, Yahweh God, ruler over everything,
⇔ is powerful and marvellous.
⇔ Your ways PATHS? are fair and honest,
⇔ king of the ages.[fn]
15:2 TC: There’s a textual variant here where some manuscripts have ‘εθνων’ (nations) and other readings instead of the older reading: ‘αἰώνων’ (ages).
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.
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