Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Amos 3:12:
- Kupsabiny: “God is saying, ‘A shepherd may think he has saved a sheep that a lion has eaten, but he finds only hooves or ears. That is how it is with the people of Samaria. Only a few people will be saved at that place.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
- Newari: “This is what the LORD says,
"Just as a shepherd is able to snatch from the mouth of a lion
only two legbones and a piece of an ear
in like manner very few of those Israelites will be saved,
with nothing more than a part of a bed or a piece of a couch."” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon: “This is still what- the LORD is-saying: ‘What- the one-who-watches-over the sheep -saves/rescues out of the animal that is-being-bitten/nibbled by a lion possibly are just the two legs or an ear. Like that also for you (plur.) Israelinhon who live in Samaria, what-will-be-saved/rescued from you (plur.) are just the portions of your (plur.) beautiful beds.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
- English: “Yahweh has declared this:
‘When a lion attacks a sheep,
sometimes a shepherd will be able to snatch from the lion’s mouth
only two legs or an ear of the sheep.
Similarly, only a few people from Samaria will escape,
and they will be able to rescue only a part of a couch and a part of a bed.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
