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Revelation 1:16-18
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Revelation 1:16-18
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
16 In his right hand he held seven stars.[a] A sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth, and his face shone like the sun at its brightest.(A)
17 When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead.[b] He touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last,(B) 18 the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld.[c]
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- 1:16 Seven stars: in the pagan world, Mithras and the Caesars were represented with seven stars in their right hand, symbolizing their universal dominion. A sharp two-edged sword: this refers to the word of God (cf. Eph 6:17; Hb 4:12) that will destroy unrepentant sinners; cf. Rev 2:16; 19:15; Wis 18:15; Is 11:4; 49:2. His face…brightest: this symbolizes the divine majesty of Christ; cf. Rev 10:1; 21:23; Jgs 5:31; Is 60:19; Mt 17:2.
- 1:17 It was an Old Testament belief that for sinful human beings to see God was to die; cf. Ex 19:21; 33:20; Jgs 6:22–23; Is 6:5.
- 1:18 Netherworld: Greek Hades, Hebrew Sheol, the abode of the dead; cf. Rev 20:13–14; Nm 16:33.
Revelation 1:16-18
New International Version
Revelation 1:16-18
New International Version
16 In his right hand he held seven stars,(A) and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword.(B) His face was like the sun(C) shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet(D) as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me(E) and said: “Do not be afraid.(F) I am the First and the Last.(G) 18 I am the Living One; I was dead,(H) and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!(I) And I hold the keys of death and Hades.(J)
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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