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parallelVerse INT GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOS JDG RUTH 1SA 2SA PSA AMOS HOS 1KI 2KI 1CH 2CH PRO ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL JOB YHN MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC GAL 1TH 2TH 1COR 2COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1TIM TIT 1PET 2PET 2TIM HEB YUD 1YHN 2YHN 3YHN REV
1Yhn 5 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21
Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed for doing comparisons of different translations. Click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. 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=normal (All still tentative.)
OET (OET-RV) If anyone sees a fellow believer committing a forgivable sin, then that person should ask God on their behalf and God will give life to that fellow believer. (But there is a sin that always results in death and I’m not suggesting that we should ask in that case.)
OET-LV If anyone may_see the brother of_him sinning a_sin not to death, he_will_be_requesting and he_will_be_giving life to_him, to_the ones sinning not to death.
There_is a_sin to death, I_am_ not _saying that he_may_ask concerning that sin.
SR-GNT Ἐάν τις ἴδῃ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτάνοντα ἁμαρτίαν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον, αἰτήσει καὶ δώσει αὐτῷ ζωήν, τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσιν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον. Ἔστιν ἁμαρτία πρὸς θάνατον· οὐ περὶ ἐκείνης λέγω ἵνα ἐρωτήσῃ. ‡
(Ean tis idaʸ ton adelfon autou hamartanonta hamartian maʸ pros thanaton, aitaʸsei kai dōsei autōi zōaʸn, tois hamartanousin maʸ pros thanaton. Estin hamartia pros thanaton; ou peri ekeinaʸs legō hina erōtaʸsaʸ.)
Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).
ULT If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not towards death, he will ask, and he will give him life, for the ones sinning not towards death. There is a sin towards death; I am not saying that he should pray about that.
UST For example, suppose someone sees one of his fellow believers sinning in a way that would not separate him from God eternally. Then he should ask God to restore the one who is sinning. If he does that, then God will bring that person back into spiritual life with himself. However, I am saying this only about people who are sinning in a way that would not separate them from God eternally. There is sin that causes people to separate from God eternally. I am not saying that you should pray for people who are sinning in that way.
BSB § If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.
BLB If anyone should see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and He will give him life, to those sinning not unto death. There is a sin unto death; I do not say that he should implore concerning that.
AICNT If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and he[fn] will give him life, to those who commit sins not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.
5:16, he: That is God.
OEB If anyone sees one of our people committing some sin that is not a sin leading to death, they should ask, and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that.
WEBBE If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this.
WMBB (Same as above)
NET If anyone sees his fellow Christian committing a sin not resulting in death, he should ask, and God will grant life to the person who commits a sin not resulting in death. There is a sin resulting in death. I do not say that he should ask about that.
LSV If anyone may see his brother sinning a sin [that is] not to death, he will ask, and He will give life to him—to those not sinning to death; there is sin to death—I do not say that he may ask concerning it;
FBV If you see your Christian brother or sister committing a sin that is not a deadly sin,[fn] you ought to pray and God will grant life to the one who's sinned. (But not for a deadly sin. There's a sin that is deadly, and I'm not saying people should pray about that.
5:16 Deadly sin. Literally, “a sin to death.”
TCNT If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray for him, and God will give him life. I refer to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that he should pray about that.
T4T Those who see one of their fellow believers sinning in a way that does not result in being eternally separated from God should ask God to help that fellow believer; and as a result God will help that fellow believer and enable him or her to live eternally. But some people sin in a manner that causes them to be separated from God eternally. I am not saying that you should ask God to help people who sin like that.
LEB If anyone should see his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he should ask, and he will grant life to him, to those who sin not leading to death. (There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should ask about that.
BBE If a man sees his brother doing a sin which is not bad enough for death, let him make a prayer to God, and God will give life to him whose sin was not bad enough for death. There is a sin whose punishment is death: I do not say that he may make such a request then.
Moff No Moff 1YHN (1JHN) book available
Wymth If any one sees a brother man committing a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask and God shall give him life—for those who do not sin unto death. There is such a thing as sin unto death; for that I do not bid him make request.
ASV If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.
DRA He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let him ask, and life shall be given to him, who sinneth not to death. There is a sin unto death: for that I say not that any man ask.
YLT If any one may see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and He shall give to him life to those sinning not unto death; there is sin to death, not concerning it do I speak that he may beseech;
Drby If any one see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life, for those that do not sin unto death. There is a sin to death: I do not say of that that he should make a request.
RV If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.
Wbstr If any man shall see his brother sin a sin which is not to death, he shall ask, and he will give him life for them that sin not to death. There is a sin to death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
KJB-1769 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
KJB-1611 If any man see his brother sinne a sinne which is not vnto death, hee shall aske, and he shall giue him life for them that sinne not vnto death. There is a sinne vnto death: I doe not say that he shall pray for it.
(If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall aske, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.)
Bshps If any man see his brother sinne a sinne not vnto death, let hym aske, and he shal geue him life for them that sinne not vnto death. There is a sinne vnto death: I say not that thou shouldest pray for it.
(If any man see his brother sin a sin not unto death, let him aske, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I say not that thou/you should pray for it.)
Gnva If any man see his brother sinne a sinne that is not vnto death, let him aske, and he shall giue him life for them that sinne not vnto death. There is a sinne vnto death: I say not that thou shouldest pray for it.
(If any man see his brother sin a sin that is not unto death, let him aske, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I say not that thou/you should pray for it. )
Cvdl Yf eny man se his brother synne a synne not vnto death, let him axe, and he shal geue him life, for the yt synne not vnto death. There is a synne vnto death, for the which saye I not that a man shulde praye.
(If any man see his brother sin a sin not unto death, let him axe, and he shall give him life, for the it sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, for the which say I not that a man should pray.)
TNT Yf eny man se his brother synne a synne that is not vnto deeth let him axe and he shall geve him lyfe for them that synne not vnto deeth. Ther is a synne vnto deeth for which saye I not that a man shuld praye.
(If any man see his brother sin a sin that is not unto death let him axe and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. Ther is a sin unto death for which say I not that a man should pray. )
Wyc He that woot that his brother synneth a synne not to deth, axe he, and lijf schal be youun to hym that synneth not to deth. Ther is a synne to deth; `not for it Y seie, that ony man preie.
(He that know that his brother synneth a sin not to death, axe he, and life shall be given to him that synneth not to death. Ther is a sin to death; `not for it I say, that any man preie.)
Luth So jemand siehet seinen Bruder sündigen, eine Sünde nicht zum Tode, der mag bitten; so wird er geben das Leben denen, die da sündigen nicht zum Tode. Es ist eine Sünde zum Tode; dafür sage ich nicht, daß jemand bitte.
(So someone siehet his brother sündigen, one Sünde not for_the Tode, the/of_the like bitten; so becomes he give the life denen, the there sündigen not for_the Tode. It is one Sünde for_the Tode; dafür said I not, that someone bitte.)
ClVg Qui scit fratrem suum peccare peccatum non ad mortem, petat, et dabitur ei vita peccanti non ad mortem. Est peccatum ad mortem: non pro illo dico ut roget quis.[fn]
(Who scit brother his_own peccare peccatum not/no to mortem, petat, and dabitur to_him vita peccanti not/no to mortem. Est peccatum to mortem: not/no for illo dico as roget quis. )
5.16 Qui scit fratrem. BEDA. Loquitur de quotidianis et levibus peccatis, etc., usque ad et ad illorum examen castiga te. Est peccatum ad mortem. Hoc peccatum separat a Deo, sicut mors separat animam a corpore.
5.16 Who scit brother. BEDA. Loquitur about quotidianis and levibus peccatis, etc., until to and to illorum examen castiga you(sg). Est peccatum to mortem. This peccatum separat from Deo, like mors separat animam from corpore.
UGNT ἐάν τις ἴδῃ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτάνοντα ἁμαρτίαν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον, αἰτήσει καὶ δώσει αὐτῷ ζωήν, τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσιν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον. ἔστιν ἁμαρτία πρὸς θάνατον; οὐ περὶ ἐκείνης λέγω ἵνα ἐρωτήσῃ.
(ean tis idaʸ ton adelfon autou hamartanonta hamartian maʸ pros thanaton, aitaʸsei kai dōsei autōi zōaʸn, tois hamartanousin maʸ pros thanaton. estin hamartia pros thanaton; ou peri ekeinaʸs legō hina erōtaʸsaʸ.)
SBL-GNT ἐάν τις ἴδῃ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτάνοντα ἁμαρτίαν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον, αἰτήσει, καὶ δώσει αὐτῷ ζωήν, τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσιν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον. ἔστιν ἁμαρτία πρὸς θάνατον· οὐ περὶ ἐκείνης λέγω ἵνα ἐρωτήσῃ.
(ean tis idaʸ ton adelfon autou hamartanonta hamartian maʸ pros thanaton, aitaʸsei, kai dōsei autōi zōaʸn, tois hamartanousin maʸ pros thanaton. estin hamartia pros thanaton; ou peri ekeinaʸs legō hina erōtaʸsaʸ.)
TC-GNT Ἐάν τις ἴδῃ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτάνοντα ἁμαρτίαν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον, αἰτήσει, καὶ δώσει αὐτῷ ζωὴν τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσι μὴ πρὸς θάνατον. Ἔστιν ἁμαρτία πρὸς θάνατον· οὐ περὶ ἐκείνης λέγω ἵνα ἐρωτήσῃ.
(Ean tis idaʸ ton adelfon autou hamartanonta hamartian maʸ pros thanaton, aitaʸsei, kai dōsei autōi zōaʸn tois hamartanousi maʸ pros thanaton. Estin hamartia pros thanaton; ou peri ekeinaʸs legō hina erōtaʸsaʸ. )
Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).
5:16 Sins that lead to death are those involving apostasy (see Matt 12:31-32; Heb 6:4-6). In the context of this letter, apostasy involves leaving the apostolic faith and joining a heretical, anti-Christian movement such as those denounced in John’s letters.
Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / hypo
ἐάν τις ἴδῃ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτάνοντα ἁμαρτίαν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον, αἰτήσει
if anyone /may/_see the brother ˱of˲_him sinning /a/_sin not to death ˱he˲_/will_be/_requesting
John is describing a hypothetical situation in order to counsel his readers. UST models an alternative way of showing this.
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ
the brother ˱of˲_him
See how you translated his brother in 2:9. Alternate translation: “a fellow believer”
Note 3 topic: writing-poetry
ἁμαρτάνοντα ἁμαρτίαν
sinning /a/_sin
John is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of expressing this. Alternate translation: “committing a sin”
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
ἁμαρτίαν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον & τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσιν μὴ πρὸς θάνατον & ἁμαρτία πρὸς θάνατον
/a/_sin not to death & ˱to˲_the_‹ones› sinning not to death & /a/_sin to death
The word death in this verse and the next refers to spiritual death, that is, to eternal separation from God. (See the later note to this verse for a discussion of what kind of sin John may have in mind that would lead to that.) Alternate translation: “a sin that does not lead to eternal separation from God … for those whose sin will not lead to eternal separation from God … a sin that does lead to eternal separation from God”
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / declarative
αἰτήσει
˱he˲_/will_be/_requesting
John is using a future statement to give an instruction and command. Alternate translation: “he should pray for that fellow believer”
Note 6 topic: writing-pronouns
δώσει αὐτῷ ζωήν
˱he˲_/will_be/_giving ˱to˲_him life
In this clause, the pronoun him refers to the believer who is sinning, and the pronoun he could refer to: (1) God since only God can give spiritual life. Alternate translation: “God will give life to the believer who is sinning” (2) anyone, that is, the person praying. In this case, John may be picturing God giving life by means of the person’s prayers, as in James 5:15, 20. Alternate translation: “he will be God’s instrument to give life to the believer who is sinning”
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
δώσει αὐτῷ ζωήν
˱he˲_/will_be/_giving ˱to˲_him life
The word life here refers to spiritual life, that is, to eternal life with God. Alternate translation: “God will make sure that the believer who is sinning is not separated from him eternally”
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ἔστιν ἁμαρτία πρὸς θάνατον; οὐ περὶ ἐκείνης λέγω ἵνα ἐρωτήσῃ
˱there˲_is /a/_sin to death not concerning that_‹sin› ˱I˲_/am/_saying that ˱he˲_/may/_ask
If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state more explicitly what this means. In the context of the whole letter, by a sin toward death, John is probably referring to behavior such as the false teachers engaged in and encouraged. As Part 3 of the Introduction to 1 John explains, these false teachers claimed that it did not matter what people did in their bodies, and so they would have been committing many serious sins without feeling any conviction that their actions were wrong. This showed that they had abandoned faith in Jesus and had rejected the influence of the Holy Spirit. John implicitly corrects this false teaching again in 5:18. Here John is not telling the believers not to pray for some people. Rather, he is explaining that it will not do any good to pray for them since they are determined to live in a way that is contrary to faith in Jesus and the influence of the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: “There are people (such as the false teachers) who are sinning in a way that shows that they have decided to be separated from God for eternity. Praying for them is not likely to make any difference”