REV 2:7 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.)

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 Let the one having an ear hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the one conquering, I will grant to him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.” ’

UST Everyone who is spiritually discerning should pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the groups of believers. I will permit anyone who is victorious to eat fruit from the tree that gives life. That tree is in the garden of God.” ’

BLB The one having an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one overcoming, I will give to him to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

AICNT “Let the one who has ears hear what the Spirit says to the [[seven]][fn] churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in [[the midst of]][fn] the paradise of [[my]][fn] God.”

2:7, seven: Included in some manuscripts. A(02) C(04)

2:7, the midst of: Later manuscripts add. TR

2:7, my: Later manuscripts add. TR

OEB Anyone with ears should hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To him who conquers – to him I will give the right to eat the fruit of the Tree of life, which stands in the Paradise of God.

WEBBE He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.’

LSV He who is having an ear—let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies: To him who is overcoming—I will give to him to eat of the Tree of Life that is in the midst of the paradise of God.

FBV If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit is telling the churches.[fn] I will give to those who are victorious the privilege of eating from the tree of life, which stands in the Paradise of God.

2:7 In other words, if you are able to hear what is said, then listen and pay attention.

TCNT He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give the right to eat of the tree of life, which is [fn]in the paradise of [fn]my God.’

2:7 in 𝔐^K [52.3%] • ECM [0.9%] ¦ in the midst of 𝔐^A,C PCK TR [42.2%]

2:7 my 𝔐^C,K [68.9%] ¦ — 𝔐^A ECM^† NA SBL TH TR WH [29.7%]

T4T Everyone who wants to understand my message [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that God’s Spirit speaks to the congregations. To everyone who overcomes Satan, I will give the right to eat fruit [MTY] from the tree that gives eternal life, the tree that is in God’s garden.’ ”

LEB The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will grant to him to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.’

BBE He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give of the fruit of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.

Moff Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches: The conqueror I will allow to eat from the tree of Life which is within the paradise of God.

Wymth "`Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. To him who overcomes I will give the privilege of eating the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of God.'

ASV He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.

DRA He, that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: To him, that overcometh, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God.

YLT He who is having an ear — let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies: To him who is overcoming — I will give to him to eat of the tree of life that is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Drby He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him that overcomes, I will give to him to eat of the tree of life which is in the paradise of [fn]God.

2.7 Elohim

RV He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.
(He that hath/has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith/says to the churches. To him that overcometh/overcomes, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. )

SLT He having ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him conquering I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the pleasure garden of God.

Wbstr He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

KJB-1769 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
( He that hath/has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith/says unto the churches; To him that overcometh/overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. )

KJB-1611 Hee that hath an eare, let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches: To him that ouercommeth will I giue to eate of the tree of life, which is in the middest of the Paradise of God.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps Let hym that hath an eare, heare what ye spirite sayth vnto the Churches. To hym that ouercommeth, wyll I geue to eate of the tree of lyfe, which is in the middes of the paradise of God.
(Let him that hath/has an ear, hear what ye/you_all spirit saith/says unto the Churches. To him that overcometh/overcomes, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.)

Gnva Let him that hath an eare, heare, what the Spirite saith vnto the Churches, To him that ouercommeth, will I giue to eate of the tree of life which is in the middes of the Paradise of God.
(Let him that hath/has an ear, hear, what the Spirit saith/says unto the Churches, To him that overcometh/overcomes, will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. )

Cvdl Let him yt hath eares, heare, what ye sprete saith vnto the congregacions. To him that ouercommeth, will I geue to eate of the tree of life, which is in the myddes of ye paradise of God.
(Let him it hath/has ears, hear, what ye/you_all spirit saith/says unto the congregations. To him that overcometh/overcomes, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of ye/you_all paradise of God.)

TNT Lett him that hath eares heare what the sprete sayth vnto the congregacions. To him that overcometh will I geve to eate of the tree of lyfe which is in the myddes of the paradice of god.
(Lett him that hath/has ears hear what the spirit saith/says unto the congregations. To him that overcometh/overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradice of god. )

Wycl He that hath eeris, here he, what the spirit seith to the chirchis. To hym that ouercometh Y schal yyue to ete of the tre of lijf, that is in the paradis of my God.
(He that hath/has ears, here he, what the spirit saith/says to the churches. To him that overcometh/overcomes I shall give to eat of the tree of life, that is in the paradise of my God.)

Luth Wer Ohren hat, der höre, was der Geist den Gemeinden sagt: Wer überwindet, dem will ich zu essen geben von dem Holz des Lebens, das im Paradies Gottes ist.
(Who ears has, the/of_the listen, what/which the/of_the spirit the communities says: Who overcomes, to_him will I to/for eat give from to_him wood the life, the in_the Paradies God’s is.)

ClVg Qui habet aurem, audiat quid Spiritus dicat ecclesiis: Vincenti dabo edere de ligno vitæ, quod est in paradiso Dei mei.[fn]
(Who has ear, hear what Spirit let_him_say assemblies/churches: Vincenti I_will_give to_eat from/about wood of_life, that it_is in/into/on paradise of_God my/mine. )

2.7 Qui habet aurem. Cur audiendum? quia perseveranti Christus est lignum vitæ, quia umbraculum et robur et dans fructum, id est corpus et sanguinem et hic et maxime in futuro.

2.7 Who has ear. Cur to_be_heard? because perseveranti Christ/Messiah it_is wood/timber of_life, because shade and strength and giving fruit, that it_is body and blood and this/here and especially/most in/into/on future.

UGNT ὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω τί τὸ Πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις. τῷ νικῶντι, δώσω αὐτῷ φαγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς, ὅ ἐστιν ἐν τῷ Παραδείσῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ.
(ho eⱪōn ous, akousatō ti to Pneuma legei tais ekklaʸsiais. tōi nikōnti, dōsō autōi fagein ek tou xulou taʸs zōaʸs, ho estin en tōi Paradeisōi tou Theou.)

SBL-GNT ὁ ἔχων οὖς ἀκουσάτω τί τὸ πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις. τῷ νικῶντι δώσω αὐτῷ φαγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς, ὅ ἐστιν ἐν τῷ παραδείσῳ τοῦ ⸀θεοῦ.
(ho eⱪōn ous akousatō ti to pneuma legei tais ekklaʸsiais. tōi nikōnti dōsō autōi fagein ek tou xulou taʸs zōaʸs, ho estin en tōi paradeisōi tou ⸀theou.)

RP-GNT Ὁ ἔχων οὖς ἀκουσάτω τί τὸ πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις. Τῷ νικῶντι δώσω αὐτῷ φαγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς, ὅ ἐστιν ἐν τῷ παραδείσῳ τοῦ θεοῦ μου.
(Ho eⱪōn ous akousatō ti to pneuma legei tais ekklaʸsiais. Tōi nikōnti dōsō autōi fagein ek tou xulou taʸs zōaʸs, ho estin en tōi paradeisōi tou theou mou.)

TC-GNT Ὁ ἔχων οὖς ἀκουσάτω τί τὸ πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις. Τῷ νικῶντι δώσω [fn]αὐτῷ φαγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς, ὅ ἐστιν ἐν [fn]τῷ παραδείσῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ [fn]μου.
(Ho eⱪōn ous akousatō ti to pneuma legei tais ekklaʸsiais. Tōi nikōnti dōsō autōi fagein ek tou xulou taʸs zōaʸs, ho estin en tōi paradeisōi tou Theou mou. )

2:7 αυτω 𝔐^A,K [81.8%] ¦ — 𝔐^C PCK [17.8%]

2:7 τω παραδεισω 𝔐^K [52.3%] ¦ μεσω του παραδεισου 𝔐^A,C PCK TR [42.2%] ¦ τω παραδισω ECM [0.9%]

2:7 μου 𝔐^C,K [68.9%] ¦ — 𝔐^A ECM^† NA SBL TH TR WH [29.7%]

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

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:1–7: Jesus spoke to the church at Ephesus

In this section, Jesus spoke to the people at Ephesus who believed in him. He said that they were doing some good things, but they were also doing a bad thing. He then encouraged them and warned them to repent. Lastly, he gave a promise to any believer who persevered in his faith.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Message to Ephesus (GNT)

Jesus gave a message to the church at Ephesus

Advice to the group of believers at Ephesus

2:7a–b

He who has an ear, let him hear: This was probably a common saying or proverb in NT times. Similar sayings occur in Matthew 11:15, Mark 4:9, and Luke 8:8. Here Jesus used this saying to urge or warn the believers to think carefully about what he had just said.

In some languages there is a similar saying/proverb urging people to listen carefully to what someone says. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Use it here. For example:
Everyone must give their ears to me
Explain this saying in a footnote using your saying. An example footnote is:
This means “give your ears to me.”

2:7a

He who has an ear,

If/since you^(plur) have ears,
Everyone who has ears that can hear
Whoever is able to hear

He who has an ear: The phrase He who has an ear figuratively means “Anyone who can hear.” The word ear is a figure of speech representing the ability to hear. It also can refer to the ability to receive information any other way. Jesus was speaking to everyone who hears or receives what he just said in 2:1–6. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

If you have ears (GNT)

Every person who has ears (NCV)

Anyone with ears to hear (NLT)

Since you have received what I just said

Can you hear?

2:7b

let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

then hear the things that the Spirit is saying to the churches.
should give careful attention to what the Holy Spirit says to the gatherings of believers.
should understand and heed/obey what God’s Spirit says to the communities of God’s people.

let him hear: This command is addressed to everyone who hears or receives what he just said in 2:1–6. It indicates that everyone should pay attention to his message. Other ways to translate it are:

then listen

do not ignore what you hear

then you should pay attention to

what the Spirit says to the churches: This refers to everything Jesus said in 2:1–3:22. It probably also refers to all of Revelation.

the Spirit: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as the Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God together with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is Spirit in the sense that he is a living being who does not have a physical body. He is Holy in the sense that he is God. He is perfect in every way and is completely pure and sinless.

In some languages a literal translation would not clearly refer to the Holy Spirit. If this is true in your language, you may want to include the implied information in your translation. For example:

Spirit/Breath of/from God

Holy/Pure/Sacred Spirit

Do not imply that the Spirit is like the ghost of a dead person or that God has died.

churches: This word is plural. It indicates that believers everywhere are to understand and use the teachings in chapters 2–3. See how you translated this word in 1:4.

General Comment on 2:7a–b

2:7a–b is addressed to everyone who can hear. So in some languages it is more natural to use a pronoun other than the third person singular (“he”). These words may be the second person plural or singular (“you”), or the third person plural (“everyone”). For example:

All you(plur) who have ears, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!

Everyone who has ears should listen to the things the Holy Spirit says to the churches!

If you(sing) have ears, listen to what the Spirit says to these churches!

Since everyone has ears, they must use them to listen and obey what the Spirit says to these churches!

Do you(sing) have ears? Then listen to the words that the Holy Spirit says to the churches!

2:7c

To the one who overcomes,

To anyone who gains victory,
To you^(plur) who defeat/conquer everything that causes a believer to stumble,

To the one who overcomes: The phrase To the one who overcomes is emphasized by being first in the clause. If you have a natural way in your language to emphasize this phrase, you may want to do so. For example:

To him who conquers, I will grant (RSV)

To those who win the victory I will give (NCV)

In some languages it is not natural to have the phrase To the one who overcomes first in the clause. For example:

I will give to him who overcomes

To the one: Here the word one refers generally to any believer who overcomes evil. Use a pronoun or grammar that is similar to what you used in the statement “He who has an ear” in 2:7a.

overcomes: This word means “triumphs” or “obtains/wins victory.” Here it refers to having success over sin, evil, and pressure to turn away from Jesus. Even though a believer is killed, he wins the victory over evil if he remains faithful to Jesus. He overcomes the power of sin and evil. Other ways to translate this word are:

conquers (RSV)

is victorious (NLT)

Some languages must say what a believer overcomes. If that is true in your language, you should refer generally to “evil” or “sin.” For example:

defeat evil

has victory over sin

2:7d

I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life

I will give permission to eat from the tree of life,
I will give the privilege of eating the fruit of the tree that gives life.

I will grant the right to eat: The Greek clause is literally “I will give to eat.” The BSB translates “give” as grant and adds the phrase the right as one way to indicate the correct meaning of the Greek clause in English. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I will give permission to eat (NRSV)

I will let…eat (CEV)

from the tree of life: This phrase indicates that believers will eat the fruit of the tree of life. For example:

the fruit of the tree of life (GNT)

the tree of life: This phrase indicates that the tree is the source of life. Those who eat the fruit will have eternal life. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the tree that gives life

the life-giving tree (CEV)

If you have translated Genesis 2:9, see how you translated this phrase there.

2:7e

in the Paradise of God.

which is in the good place of God.
That tree is located in God’s perfect land/garden.

in the Paradise of God: This clause tells the reader more about the tree of life. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other trees of life and only this one is located in the Paradise of God. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the tree of life. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

It is in the paradise of God.

Paradise of God: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Paradise can refer to an enclosed garden or park. It was also used to refer to a place where there are only good things, as in heaven (as in 2 Corinthians 12:2–3). Here this word refers to the New Jerusalem, where there will be only good and perfect things. This paradise is of God because it belongs to God and he rules over it.

Some languages do not have a word to express this meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

General Comment on 2:7c–e

Translate the meaning of Paradise. For example:
God’s good place
God’s land that is perfect
the garden of God (REB)
Use the major language word. If people are not familiar with this word, you may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:
The word “paradise” refers to a place where there are only good things. Here this word refers to the New Jerusalem (21:10, 22:2).

In some languages it is more natural to tell what Jesus will give before telling to whom he will give it. For example:

^7dI will give the privilege of eating from the tree of life, ^7ewhich stands in the paradise of God, ^7cto everyone who wins the victory. (GW)

2:7c–e

(reordered) I will give permission to eat from the tree of life, which is in the good place of God, to anyone who gains victory.

(reordered) I will give permission to eat the fruit of the tree that gives life to any of you^(plur) who defeat/conquer everything that causes a believer to stumble. That tree is in God’s perfect land/garden.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

ὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὁ ἔχων οὖς ἀκουσάτω τί τό Πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις Τῷ νικῶντι δώσω αὐτῷ φαγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς ὅ ἐστίν ἐν τῷ Παραδείσῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ)

See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of how to translate this third-person imperative, found here and towards the end of each of the letters, if your language does not use that form. Alternate translation: [May the one having an ear hear] or [The one who has an ear should hear]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

ὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω

See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of how to translate this expression that might seem to be speaking of a specific person but which really refers to any person who fits its description. Alternate translation: [Anyone who has an ear should hear]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

ὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω

Through this expression, Jesus is addressing his audience in the third person, even though he is speaking directly to them. As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, if it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the expression in the second person, here and in its other occurrences in chapters 2 and 3. Alternate translation: [If you have an ear, then hear]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ὁ ἔχων οὖς, ἀκουσάτω

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the phrase “having an ear” represents the willingness to understand and obey, by association with the part of the body by which people would have received the spoken teaching of Jesus. Alternate translation: [Anyone who is willing should understand and obey]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τῷ νικῶντι

¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὁ ἔχων οὖς ἀκουσάτω τί τό Πνεῦμα λέγει ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις Τῷ νικῶντι δώσω αὐτῷ φαγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς ὅ ἐστίν ἐν τῷ Παραδείσῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ)

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, Jesus is speaking as if the person to whom he is making this promise will win a victory. He is actually referring to a person who refuses to worship idols even at the risk of persecution and death. In your translation, you may wish to express this meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [To the one who refuses to worship idols even at the risk of persecution and death]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

τῷ νικῶντι

As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, while the expression “to the one conquering” might seem to be speaking of a specific person, it really means any person who fits its description. Alternate translation: [to anyone who conquers] or [to anyone who refuses to worship idols even at the risk of persecution and death]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς

the tree ¬the ˱of˲_life

Jesus is using this possessive form to identify this tree not as having life but as giving life. In other words, Jesus means not a living tree but a life-giving tree. Alternate translation: [the life-giving tree]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς

the tree ¬the ˱of˲_life

This is a reference to the description in [Genesis 2:9](../02/09.md) of the tree of life that was in the Garden of Eden. The fruit of that tree enabled anyone who ate it to live forever. So Jesus is saying by implication that he will give everlasting life to anyone who remains faithful to him. However, since the tree of life appears in the closing vision of the book, in [22:2](../22/02.md), it would be good to retain the image here rather than simply express its meaning in plain language. So you might translate the phrase tree of life directly but then explain its meaning. Alternate translation: [I will grant to him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God, yes, I will grant him everlasting life]

Parallel REV 2:7

Section 2:1–7: Jesus spoke to the church at Ephesus

2:7a–b

2:7a

2:7b

General Comment on 2:7a–b

2:7c

2:7d

2:7e

General Comment on 2:7c–e

2:7c–e