John 12:24-26

12:24 I tell you the solemn truth, ¹  unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself alone. ²  But if it dies, it produces ³  much grain. ⁴  12:25 The one who loves his life ⁵  destroys ⁶  it, and the one who hates his life in this world guards ⁷  it for eternal life. 12:26 If anyone wants to serve me, he must follow ⁸  me, and where I am, my servant will be too. ⁹  If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

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¹ tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”

² tn Or “it remains only a single kernel.”

³ tn Or “bears.”

⁴ tn Grk “much fruit.”

⁵ tn Or “soul.”

⁶ tn Or “loses.” Although the traditional English translation of ἀπολλύει (apolluei) in John 12:25 is “loses,” the contrast with φυλάξει (fulaxei, “keeps” or “guards”) in the second half of the verse favors the meaning “destroy” here.

⁷ tn Or “keeps.”

⁸ tn As a third person imperative in Greek, ἀκολουθείτω (akolouqeitw) is usually translated “let him follow me.” This could be understood by the modern English reader as merely permissive, however (“he may follow me if he wishes”). In this context there is no permissive sense, but rather a command, so the translation “he must follow me” is preferred.

⁹ tn Grk “where I am, there my servant will be too.”