Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 140:3:
- Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“They sharpen their tongues to be sharp like (that) of a snake;
on their lips there is venom of a cobra.
Selah” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation) - Newari:
“Their speaking is like a serpent’s bite.
In their mouths is the poison of the cobra.
Sela” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“Their tongues (are) like a venomous snake;
their words (are) poison like the venom of a snake.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Laarim:
“Their tongues destroy people like snakes,
theirs mouths are like the poison of snakes.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Wamenoa ndimi zao, kali kama za nyoka.
Katika midomo yao yanatoka maneno ya kuua,
kama vile kuumwa na nyoka muuaji.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“By what they say they injure people like poisonous snakes do;
the words that they speak can kill people as easily as cobras/vipers do.
(Think about that!)” (Source: Translation for Translators)
