YHN 12:25 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) [ref]Anyone who loves their life will lose it, but the person hating their life in this world will stay alive forever.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT The one loving his life loses it, but the one hating his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

UST Anyone who wants to keep on living more than be my disciple will die, but anyone who wants to be my disciple more than to keep on living in this sinful world will keep his life forever.

BSB Whoever loves his life will lose it, [but] whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

MSB Whoever loves his life will lose it, [but] whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

BLB The one loving his life loses it, and the one hating his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.

AICNT “The one who loves his life {destroys it},[fn] and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

12:25, destroys it: Some manuscripts read “will destroy it.”

OEB A person who loves their life loses it; while someone who hates their life in the present world will preserve it for eternal life.

WEBBE He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET The one who loves his life destroys it, and the one who hates his life in this world guards it for eternal life.

LSV he who is cherishing his life will lose it, and he who is hating his life in this world will keep it to continuous life;

FBV If you love your own life you will lose it, but if you don't love your own life in this world you will keep your life forever.

TCNT Whoever loves his life [fn]will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

12:25 will lose ¦ loses CT

T4T Anyone who strongly wants to keep on living here on earth will surely lose his life forever. But anyone who is willing to die [HYP] for my sake will surely gain eternal life.

LEB The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world preserves it for eternal life.

BBE He who is in love with life will have it taken from him; and he who has no care for his life in this world will keep it for ever and ever.

Moff He who loves his life loses it, and he who cares not for his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.

Wymth He who holds his life dear, is destroying it; and he who makes his life of no account in this world shall keep it to the Life of the Ages.

ASV He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

DRA Itself remaineth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world, keepeth it unto life eternal.

YLT he who is loving his life shall lose it, and he who is hating his life in this world — to life age-during shall keep it;

Drby He that loves his life shall lose it, and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.

RV He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
(He that loveth/loves his life loseth it; and he that hateth/hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. )

SLT He loving his soul shall lose it; but he hating his soul in this world, shall guard it for life eternal.

Wbstr He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it to life eternal.

KJB-1769 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
( He that loveth/loves his life shall lose it; and he that hateth/hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. )

KJB-1611 He that loueth his life, shall lose it: and hee that hateth his life in this world, shall keepe it vnto life eternall.
(He that loveth/loves his life, shall lose it: and he that hateth/hates his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternall.)

Bshps He that loueth his lyfe, shall destroy it: and he that hateth his lyfe in this worlde, shall kepe it vnto lyfe eternall.
(He that loveth/loves his life, shall destroy it: and he that hateth/hates his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternall.)

Gnva He that loueth his life, shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keepe it vnto life eternall.
(He that loveth/loves his life, shall lose it, and he that hateth/hates his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternall. )

Cvdl He that loueth his life, shal lose it: and he that hateth his life in this worlde, shal kepe it vnto life euerlastinge.
(He that loveth/loves his life, shall lose it: and he that hateth/hates his life in this world, shall keep it unto life everlasting.)

TNT He that loveth his lyfe shall destroye it: and he that hateth his lyfe in this worlde shall kepe it vnto lyfe eternall.
(He that loveth/loves his life shall destroy it: and he that hateth/hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternall. )

Wycl but if it be deed, it bryngith myche fruyt. He that loueth his lijf, schal leese it; and he that hatith his lijf in this world, kepith it in to euerlastynge lijf.
(but if it be deed, it bringeth/brings much fruit. He that loveth/loves his life, shall lose it; and he that hateth/hates his life in this world, keepeth/keeps it in to everlasting life.)

Luth Wer sein Leben liebhat, der wird‘s verlieren; und wer sein Leben auf dieser Welt hasset, der wird‘s erhalten zum ewigen Leben.
(Who be life loves, the/of_the it_will lose/shed(v); and who be life on/in/to this world hates, the/of_the it_will receive/obtain for_the eternal life.)

ClVg ipsum solum manet: si autem mortuum fuerit, multum fructum affert. Qui amat animam suam, perdet eam; et qui odit animam suam in hoc mundo, in vitam æternam custodit eam.[fn]
(him only remains: when/but_if however dead has_been, a_lot fruit brings. Who loves the_soul his_own, will_destroy her; and who/which hates the_soul his_own in/into/on this to_the_world, in/into/on life eternal keeps/guards her. )

12.25 Qui amat. AUG. Qui amat in hac vita, perdit in futuro quod magis congruit, unde subdit: Qui odit animam, etc. Non amat, sed odit animam in hoc mundo, qui diligendo Deum, potius quam in eum peccet eligit occidi.

12.25 Who loves. AUG. Who loves in/into/on this_way life, loses in/into/on future that more fits, from_where/who I_submit: Who hates the_soul, etc. Not/No loves, but hates the_soul in/into/on this to_the_world, who/which diligendo God, rather how in/into/on him peccet eligit to_be_killed.

UGNT ὁ φιλῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ, ἀπολλύει αὐτήν; καὶ ὁ μισῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ, εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον φυλάξει αὐτήν.
(ho filōn taʸn psuⱪaʸn autou, apolluei autaʸn; kai ho misōn taʸn psuⱪaʸn autou en tōi kosmōi toutōi, eis zōaʸn aiōnion fulaxei autaʸn.)

SBL-GNT ὁ φιλῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ⸀ἀπολλύει αὐτήν, καὶ ὁ μισῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον φυλάξει αὐτήν.
(ho filōn taʸn psuⱪaʸn autou ⸀apolluei autaʸn, kai ho misōn taʸn psuⱪaʸn autou en tōi kosmōi toutōi eis zōaʸn aiōnion fulaxei autaʸn.)

RP-GNT Ὁ φιλῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· καὶ ὁ μισῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον φυλάξει αὐτήν.
(Ho filōn taʸn psuⱪaʸn autou apolesei autaʸn; kai ho misōn taʸn psuⱪaʸn autou en tōi kosmōi toutōi eis zōaʸn aiōnion fulaxei autaʸn.)

TC-GNT Ὁ φιλῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ [fn]ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· καὶ ὁ μισῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον φυλάξει αὐτήν.
(Ho filōn taʸn psuⱪaʸn autou apolesei autaʸn; kai ho misōn taʸn psuⱪaʸn autou en tōi kosmōi toutōi eis zōaʸn aiōnion fulaxei autaʸn. )

12:25 απολεσει ¦ απολλυει CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:20–26: Some Greeks wanted to meet Jesus

Some Greek people went to Philip to ask to meet Jesus. Jesus responded to the Greeks’ request by giving the illustration of a seed that must die to produce fruit.

Here are some other possible titles for this section:

Some Greek people asked to see Jesus

Some Greeks sought Jesus

12:25a

Whoever loves his life will lose it,

People who think that their own life is more valuable than anything else will lose it,
Anyone who lives for himself only will lose his life,

Whoever loves his life: The word Whoever is indefinite. It refers to people in general, anyone and everyone who loves their life. In some languages a singular subject is more natural. For example:

The one who loves his life (NET)

If you love your life (CEV)

loves his life: This phrase here refers to loving oneself above all. It means to live a selfish life, thinking mainly about one’s own desires and goals. If your readers may not understand a literal translation in this way, it may be necessary to use different words. For example:

loves himself (REB)

love their own life above all

always seek first what will benefit themselves

will lose it: This phrase indicates that these people will destroy their lives, here and into eternity. Their lives will be ruined, completely losing whatever good they had. They will not receive true life, eternal life.

The Greek verb is in the present tense, indicating something that is always true. However, the event is also something that can be considered as future. Use the tense that is natural in your language in this context. For example:

destroys it (NET)

will destroy them (GW)

12:25b

but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

while those people who do not consider their life in this world to be valuable will have true life forever.
but the one who gives away his own life in this world will actually preserve it forever.

but: This word here introduces an idea that contrasts with 12:25a, telling what happens if someone hates his life. In some languages it may therefore be natural to use a word that makes the contrast explicit like the BSB does.

Some English translations do not translate this word. Translate this connection in a way that is natural in your language.

whoever hates his life in this world: The phrase hates his life is an expression used in contrast to “loves his life” in 11:25a. It means that compared to their love for God, it seems like hate. It does not mean that they really hate their life. It means that these people do not consider their own life on earth as the most important thing. They are willing to sacrifice their own desires and ambitions in order to serve God and others. They believe that God and his service are more important than themselves. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

Those who care nothing for their life in this world (NLT)

those who consider that their lives in this world are not valuable

those who refuse to consider themselves the most important

his life in this world: This phrase refers to life on earth. This person does not concentrate his attention on his earthly life and his worldly ambitions. He does not consider valuable anything that the world offers, including money, power, and reputation.

will keep it for eternal life: This phrase indicates that this person will never lose true life, which is spiritual life. He will never be separated from God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

will keep it for eternity (NLT)

will keep true life forever (NCV)

will live forever

keep: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as keep means “guard.” However in some languages it may not be natural or possible to say that one keeps or guards one’s life. Here are other possible ways to translate this verb:

will be kept safe for eternal life (REB)

you will be given eternal life (CEV)

for eternal life: The word eternal refers to something that does not end. The phrase eternal life refers to life with God that never ends. See how you translated eternal life in 3:15–16. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

unending life

life that never ends

living forever with God

General Comment on 12:25

In some languages it may be natural to use the second-person pronoun as the subject. For example:

^25aIf you love your life, you will lose it. ^25bIf you give it up in this world, you will be given eternal life. (GW)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ὁ φιλῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ, ἀπολλύει αὐτήν

the_‹one› (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὁ φιλῶν τήν ψυχήν αὐτοῦ ἀπολλύει αὐτήν καί ὁ μισῶν τήν ψυχήν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ εἰς ζωήν αἰώνιον φυλάξει αὐτήν)

Here, the one loving his life refers to someone who thinks that his own physical life is more important than anything else. If this clause would be confusing in your language, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: [Whoever values his own life more than anything else will still die]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ὁ μισῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ, εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον φυλάξει αὐτήν

the_‹one› hating (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὁ φιλῶν τήν ψυχήν αὐτοῦ ἀπολλύει αὐτήν καί ὁ μισῶν τήν ψυχήν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ εἰς ζωήν αἰώνιον φυλάξει αὐτήν)

Here, the one hating his life refers to someone who values his own physical life less than he values being a disciple of Jesus. The word “hating” here does not refer to having negative feelings about one’s life or despising oneself. If this would confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [whoever values being my disciple more than he values his own life will keep it for eternal life]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον

to (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὁ φιλῶν τήν ψυχήν αὐτοῦ ἀπολλύει αὐτήν καί ὁ μισῶν τήν ψυχήν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ εἰς ζωήν αἰώνιον φυλάξει αὐτήν)

The phrase eternal life states the result of what precedes it. The one hating his life will keep that life, which will result in eternal life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: [and also gain eternal life]

Parallel YHN 12:25

Section 12:20–26: Some Greeks wanted to meet Jesus

12:25a

12:25b

General Comment on 12:25