OET interlinear REV 5:12

5:12a

In a loud voice they were saying: The Greek words are literally “saying with a loud voice” (as in the RSV). They probably all spoke in unison. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

They proclaimed with loud voices (REB)

loudly chanting (NJB)

saying in unison with loud voices

5:12b–d

5:12b–d is an exclamation of praise. It is like a song or poem. You may want to translate it like a song or poem.

The angels sang about Jesus using the third person (“he, him”). But Jesus was there (5:8). In some languages it is more natural to use second person (“you”). For example:

The Lamb, you were slain and you are worthy to receive…

5:12b

Worthy is the Lamb: See how you translated the word Worthy in 5:9. Here the word Worthy is emphasized in the Greek and the BSB. If possible, emphasize the word Worthy naturally in your language. For example:

The Lamb is indeed worthy

who was slain: This clause tells the reader more about the Lamb. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other people with the title “Lamb,” and only this one was slain. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the Lamb. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

He was slain.

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. In this verse, the exact people who killed Jesus is not important. For example:

whom they/people killed

They/People killed him

See how you translated the similar clause “to have been slain” in 5:6.

5:12c

to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength: The Lamb is worthy to have power and riches and wisdom and strength. This phrase is similar to 4:11b where the elders said that God was worthy “to receive glory and honor and power.” Some languages are able to translate in a similar way here. For example:

for people/everyone to praise your power and wealth and wisdom and strength

that we acknowledge your power and wealth and wisdom and strength

that all beings praise your power and wealth and wisdom and strength

power…strength: The Greek words that the BSB translates as power and strength are similar. They both refer to power, force, and strength. The Greek word that the BSB translates as power also can refer to ability.

Both words are probably used here to emphasize God’s power. If possible, use two different words for the meaning of “power,” “strength,” “might,” or “ability.”

In some languages, there is only one word that means both power and strength. If that is true in your language, either translate the first as “ability,” or use just the one word for a total of three things in this list. For example:

to receive ability and wealth and wisdom and strength

to receive power and wealth and wisdom

wisdom: The word wisdom means “be able to understand events and know what should be done.”

In some languages it is more natural to translate wisdom as a phrase. For example:

wise words and actions

right and just thinking

5:12d

and honor and glory and blessing: These words continue the list that started in 5:12c. The words honor and glory are used in a similar way in 4:11. See how you translated those words there.

In some languages it is more natural to start a new sentence here. For example:

The Lamb is also worthy for everyone to honor, glorify, and praise him!

blessing: The Greek word the BSB translates as blessing can also be translated as “praise.” It refers to speaking good words about someone or honoring him. The Lamb is worthy of everyone’s blessing/praise.

In some languages it is more natural to translate this noun as a verb. See the above example.