Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:5:
Huehuetla Tepehua: “That one who gives understanding to the minds of men, he was like a light that shines where it is dark. But the one who walks where it is dark (the devil) couldn’t overcome him.”
Ojitlán Chinantec: “For people are in the evil way, as if to say, they are in darkness. But he illuminates people. The evil one did not prevail over that one who illuminates people.”
Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “He is like a light which illuminates where it is dark. And the devil, he is of the darkness but he cannot conquer the light.”
Yatzachi Zapotec: “The person who is the word has light for the hearts of mankind. Even though there is very much evil in this world where he arrived, the evil did not shut off his light.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Chol: “The light of the world shows itself in the midst of a very dark world. This very dark world was not able to put out the light.” Wilbur Aulie (in The Bible Translator 1957, p. 109ff. ) explains the use of “put out the light” (click here to display)
“The problem of multiple meanings is often involved in the rendering of figures. Some hold that Greek katelaben in John 1:5 means both ‘to grasp with the mind’ (i.e., ‘to comprehend’) and ‘to grasp with the hand’ (i.e., to overcome’). Many translators are obliged to make a choice here. In Chol there is no choice, since the darkness cannot comprehend, even metaphorically speaking. It was therefore rendered: ‘The darkness did not put out the light’.”
Uma: “That light shone/shines in the darkness, and the darkness was/is not able to kill it/him [NOTE: The verb ‘kill’ can be used of putting out a light or fire]” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “This light shines in darkness and the light can really not be put out by the darkness.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “That light has illumined the darkness here upon the earth, and the light was not defeated by this darkness.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “He has-been-steadily-illuminating the darkness, and the darkness, it is not able-to-defeat the light.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “He gives-light/makes-clear like a light/lamp in darkness, but those who are in darkness, they don’t want to be shined-on by this light.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “The light shines in darkness and it is not able to be put out.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “This light lightens the darkness, and its light was not overcome by darkness. ” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Mairasi: “That is the true Light which already arrived in this world to brighten people.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
Bariai: “The light shined in the dark place, yet it wasn’t possible for the darkness to surpass that light.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Kupsabiny: “That light shines in the darkness and that darkness doesn’t swallow (the) light.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin that is transliterated “Levites” in English (only the Contemporary English Version translates it as “temple helpers”) is translated in Ojitlán Chinantec as “temple caretakers,” Yatzachi Zapotec as “people born in the family line of Levi, people whose responsibility it was to do the work in the important church of the Israelites,” in Alekano as “servants in the sacrifice house from Jerusalem place,” in Tenango Otomi as “helpers of priests” (source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.), in Chuj as “family of Levi,” and in Desano as “grandchild of Levi” (source for this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
In American Sign Language with a sign that combines “temple” + “servant.” (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Levite” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
Following are a number of back-translations of John 6:63:
Ojitlán Chinantec: “People live because their spirit is in them. A person’s flesh is worthless if the spirit is absent from the body. Those words that I told you give eternal life, the way a person’s spirit gives him natural life.”
Huehuetla Tepehua: “Well, the Holy Spirit, he is the one who gives eternal life. The life of just men can’t give life everlasting up in heaven. The words that I declare unto you are for your heart, and they give life everlasting.”
Chol: “That which is for our spirits gives us our lives. That which is for our body does not give us that. My words that I told you are for your spirit. They give you your life.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Uma: “It is the Spirit of God who gives life. The power/authority of man is useless. The words which I spoke to you come from the Spirit of God and give life.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “I tell you,’ said Isa, ‘it is God’s Spirit hep that causes us (incl.) to live. As for the power/strength of mankind there is no use (in it), it cannot make mankind alive. What I have taught to you causes life because this comes out from the Spirit of God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The only one who can give life forever is the Holy Spirit. There is nothing that a body alone can do. The words which I said to you come from the Holy Spirit, and they can give life forver.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “The one who gives life, it is God’s Spirit, not the body. The body is of no use there. As for what I have been saying to you, they are from God’s Spirit, so exactly that is what gives life, provided you believe.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “These things that I am teaching, what they all come down to is (lit. there’s no other returning-place than) things concerning the spirit and life which is without ending. It’s true, the things referred to (lit. being caused to be hit) in this teaching of mine, those are from where this life can be gotten. It can’t be gotten from flesh which is eaten.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “Only the Holy Spirit gives the new life. That which I told you means that you should believe in me, not that I was saying that you should eat me.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations of John 14:11:
Ojitlán Chinantec: “Believe my words. I and my Father are the same. Or if you still don’t believe just because I said so, believe because you have seen the works that I have done.”
Huehuetla Tepehua: “Believe that I and my Father are one thing. Or if you can’t believe just by my words, believe by means of what I have done.”
Lalana Chinantec: “You must believe that I walk with my Father. My Father walks with me also. But if you do not believe that, there is something which makes it evident. You have seen the miracles which I have done; therefore, on account of them you must believe.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Uma: “Believe me [emphatic], that I an in-harmony with my Father and my Father in-harmony with me. Even if you do not believe my words, believe because you have seen all that I do.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Isa said, ‘You must believe what I said that my Father and I are one. If you do not believe because of these my words, just believe because of the deeds I have done.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Believe what I say to you that I am there to my Father and he is here to me. And if you can’t believe this because of what I tell you, believe it because of my works. Because as for my works, you will see from them that what I say to you is true.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Therefore you should believe what I say to you that I am in my Father and my Father is also in me. And if you aren’t satisfied with what I say, you should still believe on-account-of the amazing-things I have been doing.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “It is necessary that you (pl.) believe that I and my Father, we (excl.) are one living-entity. If supposing you don’t believe these things I am telling, however because of the deeds/works which I am doing it’s necessary that you believe it.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “Believe that just like I am, my Father is also, and just like my Father is, also I am. If you don’t believe just the word, then believe because of what I do.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:8:
Uma: “Yohanes, it was not he who was that light. The reason he came was to spread that light to all people.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Yahiya was not this light. But his mission/purpose for coming here was to tell about the light.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for this John, he is not the one who is that light, but rather he is the one who explains who the light is.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Juan was not the light itself, but rather the one who came to confirm/verify concerning the light.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “It isn’t that he was the one who was the light. He was caused-to-be-a-person because he would be testifying about this light.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “John is not that one who opens the hearts of the people.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Ojitlán Chinantec: “John was not the one who illuminates people. He came to point out that one.”
Yatzachi Zapotec: “It wasn’t John who brought light, but rather he came speaking about the person who brings light for mankind.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Hiligaynon: “Juan was not the light, but-rather he came/arrived to tell who is the light.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Mairasi: “He himself was not that Light. But for the purpose of testifying about that Light he came.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
Bariai: “He wasn’t that light, but he came to expound talk about that light.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Kupsabiny: “John came and told the people concerning/about that light, but that light was not him.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations of John 6:65:
Ojitlán Chinantec: “And also Jesus told those learners, ‘So I have already told you that nobody can come to me if my Father has not permitted it.'”
Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “And he said, ‘For this reason I told you that no one can belong to me if my Father does not cause him to think that he will follow me.'”
Aguaruna: “This also Jesus said: ‘This is why I told you that only those given me by my Father will come to me.'”
Lalana Chinantec: “. . . unless the Father causes the person to follow.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Uma: “Yesus also said: ‘That is why I said earlier, not one person can come to me if they are not allowed by my Father.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “And he also said, ‘This is the reason why I said to you that nobody can follow me if my Father God is not the one giving him the desire (to do so).'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And he continued speaking, and he said, ‘Because of this, I say to you that no one can follow me if he was not inspired by my Father God.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Then he went-on to say, ‘This is the reason I told you that no one is able-to-come to me to believe if my Father doesn’t permit it.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “He added on more saying, ‘Well since there are those who don’t indeed believe-in/obey me, that’s why I said to you that there’s no one who can submit to me except he is shown-grace/mercy by the Father.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “Then he said, ‘Therefore I have told you that no one is able to follow me unless the Father causes the person to follow.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations of John 15:8:
Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “If you give very much fruit, if you do very much what God wants, in this manner you honor the Father and thus it shows that you are really my disciples.”
Aguaruna: “When you give much fruit and the people see that, they will say, ‘Surely he is Jesus’ follower.’ When you do this they will praise my Father.”
Ojitlán Chinantec: “In that way you make my Father big, doing much good so that people know that truly you are my disciples.”
Yatzachi Zapotec: “My Father receives honor when you do very much the things which he likes and also you are showing that you are following me like you should, if you are doing very much the things that he likes.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Uma: “If you bear much fruit, my Father is made big. If like that your behavior, you are really my followers.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “If you do much good, my Father will be praised and it will also be known that you are truly my disciples.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “If you continue fruiting, which is to say, if your works are always good, people will praise my Father God, and it will be known that you truly are my disciples.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “This is wherein-my Father -is-honored, if your faith has much fruit, and this also is how you will show that you are my disciples.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “The praiseworthiness/glory of my Father is apparent when/if the fruit of your believing/obeying is plentiful and growing well in your life. If it’s like that, it’s proof that you are my disciples.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “My Father will be respected when you live good lives. This also will make it apparent that you are my learners.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:11:
Lalana Chinantec: “He came back to his place, but they didn’t accept the Owner of the place where they were living.”
Yatzachi Zapotec: “He was born among us who are of his nation, and nearly all of us, his fellow countrymen, didn’t believe in him.”
Aguaruna: “He arrived at his own place but his relatives did not welcome him.”
Ojitlán Chinantec: “He came to the earth, his land, but his countrymen did not receive him.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Uma: “He arrived in his own town, but his fellow townspeople did not want to receive him.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “He came here to his place/country but he was not received by his tribe.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Even though he came to his own towns, there were not many of his companions there who accepted him.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “He came to his country/town, and his countrymen didn’t receive/accept him either.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “He came here to the nation he had chosen, but even they, these people he had chosen as his own, they didn’t receive him.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “He lived in his own land. But the inhabitants didn’t look favorably upon him.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “He went to his own countrymen/townmates, but the majority of them did not receive him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Mairasi: “He Himself came to His own place, but His own kinsmen did not receive Him.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
Bariai: “He went to his village of origin, yet his people didn’t receive him.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Kupsabiny: “He came to his world but people refused to welcome (him),” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
