The Greek Romans 13:14 that is translated as “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” in English is translated in Southern Altai as “let the Lord be your protective armour.” Andrei S. Desnitsky explains (in: The Bible Translator 2018, p. 233ff. ): “The direct translation was almost meaningless, as well as versions like ‘let the Lord be your garment.’ However, when the translator provided a more specific article of clothing, it improved: ‘let the Lord be your protective armour.’ This probably narrowed the meaning but at least rendered the basic idea efficiently.”
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 133:1:
Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“You see, it is surely pleasant and delightful
when relatives stay together in fellowship!” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Newari:
“How good and pleasant it is
for brothers to live in agreement.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon:
“How good and pleasant/beautiful to-see when the people of God live-(together) with unity.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Laarim:
“How good, and sweet it is,
when brothers live well together in one place in unity!” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
Southern Altai lyrics to be performed in traditional jangar song style:
“A special song of David to go up the mountain to the worship place.
The Lord’s people being in unity is good, caring for each other makes life easier.” (Source: Bronwen Cleaver & Justin Randolph in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 73ff.)
Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Tazama, ni uzuri wa aina gani,
tena ni kupendezwa kwa aina gani,
ndugu kukaa
pamoja na kushirikiana.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
English:
“It is very good and very pleasant
for God’s people to gather together harmoniously.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 133:2:
Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“It is like expensive oil poured on the head,
that descends to the beards,
to the beards of Aaron,
that flows up to the collar of his gown.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Newari:
“It is like the precious oil that that was put on Aaron’s head,
flowed down on his beard
[and] even reached the collar of his clothing.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon:
“This (is) like a precious oil poured-out on the head of Aaron and flows-(down) his beard to the collar of his garment.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Laarim:
“It be like a good oil pour on the head
that flows going into the beard
that flows goes to the beard of Aaron,
down to the edge of his clothes.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
Southern Altai lyrics to be performed in traditional jangar song style:
“Like oil on Aaron’s head poured, with a beautiful smell, flowing down the beard, spreading like oil along the edge.” (Source: Bronwen Cleaver & Justin Randolph in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 73ff.)
Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Kuko kama mafuta mazuri,
ambayo yanatiririka kichwani,
yanashuka mpaka katika ndevu za Haruni,
kufika shingoni mwa kanzu yake.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
English:
“It is as delightful as the precious/ expensive olive oil/perfume
that runs down from the Supreme Priest Aaron’s head onto his beard when he is anointed
and runs down onto the collar of his robes.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 133:3:
Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“It is like the dew of Hermon
that descends on the mountain of Zion.
For there Jehovah gives on it blessings,
and that is everlasting life.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Newari:
“This is like the falling of the dew of Hermon on Mount Zion,
there the Lord pours out his life forever.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon:
“Or this (is) like dew on the Mountain of Hermon which reached/(fell-upon) the mountains/hills of Zion.
And here in Zion the LORD has-promised a blessing, which is life without end.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Laarim:
“It would be like the dews of Mountain of Hermon
which be poured on the Mountain of Zion.
The place where LORD promises his blessing to his people
life which last forever.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
Southern Altai lyrics to be performed in traditional jangar song style:
“Like cool dew poured from the top of Mount Hermon. On the mountain of Zion it spread cool like a light breeze. From the top of Mount Zion is the Lord’s spoken word. The spoken word of blessing is the giving of eternal life.” (Source: Bronwen Cleaver & Justin Randolph in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 73ff.)
Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Kunafanana na umande wa katika mlima Hermoni,
iwapo katika mlima Sayuni!
Huko BWANA aliahidi kuwabariki watu wake,
kuwapa uzima wa milele na milele.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
English:
“Gathering together harmoniously is as delightful as the dew that falls on Hermon Mountain
and the dew that falls on the hills near Zion Hill.
Yahweh has promised to bless his people there in Jerusalem
by giving them everlasting (OR, a long-lasting) life.” (Source: Translation for Translators)