Language-specific Insights

complete verse (Acts 2:47)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 2:47:

  • Uma: “They continued praising God, and all people/crowds were glad about them. Every day the Lord added-to their number; its meaning, every day there were more-and-more people who believed in the Lord Yesus and [lit., until] were lifted from the punishment of their sins.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “They always praised God and all the people respected them. And every day there were people who newly trusted in Isa being added to them by God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And they praised God and everybody respected them. And everyday at that time there were people who believed. And all of them, God set them free so that they would no longer be punished by him, and those were added to the believers.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “They were praising God continually, and all the people acknowledged-with-respect their good behavior. Every-day also those whom God was saving were joining/being-added to them.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “They were always praising God, and they were highly-spoken-of by people who hadn’t yet believed. Really every day there were those being graced with salvation by God, whom he was adding to those believers.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Lalana Chinantec: “They worshipped God. All of the townspeople spoke well with regard to those people. Every day the Lord made there to be more people who were saved. They joined with the people of Jesus.”
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “And the believers glorified God and all the people had respect for them and God caused that day by day more believers walked with them.”
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “They were telling that God did them good he helped them and they pleased the hearts of all the people. Also always each day he who is Chief gradually was gathering and joining those who were being saved with the others who were already believing and meeting together.”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “They would praise God and the townspeople respected them. Day by day our Lord God was saving some from among the townspeople and causing them to join them.”
  • Desano: “Thus making God happy and saying that he is good, they lived in peace with the people. God added to the group which was close to him many more whom he was saving well.” (Source for this and four above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

complete verse (Acts 3:15)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 3:15:

  • Uma: “You did indeed kill Yesus. But God made him live again, since after all Yesus is the one that gives good life. We (excl.) here are witnesses, because we (excl.) have seen with our eyes [emphatic] that he lives again.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “You killed the one who gives life, but God caused him to be alive again and we (excl.) can testify to this.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “But the source of life forever you killed, however, God raised him from the dead. We can testify that Jesus was raised from the dead because we saw him.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “You had-the one who gives life -killed, but God, he made-him-alive again. And we (excl.) confirm that he truly came-alive because we (excl.) saw (him).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Really back to front is what you did for, as for that Jesus, he is the source of our life, but death is what you rewarded him with. However he was made alive again by God, and we (excl.) testify to this, for after he came alive again, we (excl.) indeed saw/met him.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Desano: “You asked that death be given to the one who gives life. Him God the Chief resurrected after he was dead. This we saw that it happened to him.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

complete verse (Acts 4:3)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 4:3:

  • Uma: “That is why they caught/arrested those two apostles, and they put them in jail. Because it was almost dark, that is why they detained them there until the next morning.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Therefore, they seized Petros and Yahiya. Because that was already evening/late afternoon, they imprisoned them until the morning.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And they arrested Peter and John, and since it was already quite late in the afternoon, they put them in prison because they would have them wait until morning.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “That being so, they held-them -tightly and took them to the prison so that on the next day (lit. its-tomorrow) they would then try them, because it was already getting-to-be-night.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Therefore what those who had arrived did was, they arrested Pedro and Juan, and because it was already late afternoon, they just jailed them. They would interrogate them next day.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Sierra de Juárez Zapotec: “They put them in jail the night before hearing the complaint against them because it was late in the day when they laid hold on them.”
  • Desano: “They put them in jail and left them there because it was already very late in the day, and they were going to bring them out the next day.”
  • Lalana Chinantec: “They put them in jail for one night, because it was nightfall-there was no longer time to judge them.” (Source for this and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

complete verse (Acts 4:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 4:13:

  • Uma: “Those judges were surprised to hear Petrus and Yohanes speak without any uneasiness. For Petrus and Yohanes, they were just ordinary people who were not highly schooled. And they recognized them, that they ones that followed Yesus previously [lit., yesterday].” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “So-then the councilors were greatly amazed when they saw that Petros and Yahiya spoke boldly, and-what’s-more/yet they were men of little (lit. short) education/study and of low social standing. So-then they remembered that these had been companions of Isa.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And when those leaders of the Jews there, when they saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak and when they knew that they were not highly educated, and they were not high in rank, they were very amazed. And then they recognized that Peter and John were companions long ago of Jesus.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When the leaders of the Jews saw the boldness of Pedro and Juan in answering, they were surprised, because they knew that they were low-status people who were not educated. Then they remembered that they had-been-going-in-a-group-with Jesus,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When those leaders of the Jews observed that the speech of Pedro and Juan wasn’t halting, they were amazed, knowing too that as for those two, they hadn’t had schooling, being yet low-class. And they recognized too that as for those two, they had been companions of Jesus.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Desano: “Hearing the answer of Peter and John, the authorities said, ‘where did they get their boldness?’ They knew them that they had very little knowledge of paper and knew that they were people without prestige. ‘They were with Jesus, and maybe that’s why they know,’ they were saying.”
  • Tataltepec Chatino: “They heard the word Peter said, and they looked at Peter and John. ‘Why aren’t they afraid, speaking to us?’ they said. ‘Not great people are they, not people who know paper.’ Then those elders realized that they had been walking with Jesus.” (Source for this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.).

complete verse (Acts 4:19)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 4:19:

  • Uma: “Petrus and Yohanes answered said: ‘Consider for yourselves, which one does God like: to follow your [emphatic] commands, or follow the commands of God.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But Petros and Yahiya answered them, they said, ‘Give your opinion, which is right/straight in God’s sight, we (excl.) obey/follow you or God?” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And Peter and John answered saying, ‘Consider which one of these two ways would be what God would want, if we obey your command and we do not teach the name of Jesus or if we obey that which God told us to do.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But Pedro and Juan said, ‘Please think if it is right in the sight of God that we (excl.) obey what you are saying, not what he is saying.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But when Pedro-and-companion heard, they replied, saying, ‘You judge which is possible/acceptable with God. Is it that his will is what we (excl.) obey or this of yours which is contrary to what he told us (excl.) to do?” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Desano: “Peter and John answered saying, ‘Think this over with the help of God. What do you think? Should one do first your commands, or the commands of God?'”
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “Peter and John answered: ‘You say now what is better that we do before the face of God. Do we do what you say or do we do what God says?'”
  • Coatlán Mixe: “All of you consider if it is the straight of it with God that we obey you when it is proper that we should obey God.”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “…Figure it out for yourselves. Before God, is it proper that we should not obey what he commands in order to obey you?”
  • Isthmus Mixe: “…You decide if God approves if we obey your words and not God’s.”
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “…Do you think God will say it’s good if we believe you and obey your saying and leave the saying of God? Do you feel it is right?”
  • Ayutla Mixtec: “Then Peter and John answered, they said to them, ‘May you consider, would God see it as better that we obey you? Would God see it as better that we obey him himself?’ they said answering.” (Source for this and six above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

complete verse (Acts 4:26)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 4:26:

  • Uma: “The kings in the world are all-set-to-fight. And all the commanders are united, wanting to oppose the Lord God and the Redeemer King which he has chosen.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “The kings of the earth and the leaders prepare and gather together against/to oppose (kuntara) God and Almasi, the one he has chosen to rule.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Because the kings here on the earth are ready to fight and the leaders are gathered together because they will fight against the Lord, and they will oppose his chosen king.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The kings and rulers in this world gathered and made-ready to war against God and the Messiah he appointed.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “For the kings here under the heavens have agreed together and the leaders are now in readiness. For they intend to fight God, and Cristo who is the Savior King whom he promised.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Desano: “The great chiefs of the world and the chiefs of the towns gathered together to hinder the things of Chief God, and those of his sent one Christ they also wanted to hinder.”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “All of the kings who live on earth rebelled, and all of the rulers gathered together in order to fight against our Lord God and his Christ.” (Source of this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

See also Psalm 2:1 and Psalm 2:2.

complete verse (Acts 4:31)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 4:31:

  • Uma: “After they prayed like that, their house where they were meeting rocked, and they were all controlled by the Holy Spirit. From there, they were brave to utter the Word of God to the crowds.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “After they had prayed to God, that house where they were gathered was shaken by God, and they were controlled/ruled by the Holy Spirit. So-then they proclaimed the word/message of God without any fear of man whatsoever.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And when they prayed they felt the house where they were gathered shaking, and they were thoroughly inspired by the Holy Spirit, each one of them, so that they had no fear. And their spreading the word of God held no fear for them.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When they had prayed, the house where they were gathered shook. Then they were full of the power of the Holy Spirit, and they all became-brave to tell the word of God.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Just when their prayer was ended, that place where they were meeting shook. And all of them truly were strengthened by the Espiritu Santo who was indwelling them, that their minds/inner-beings would be much bolder in relating the word of God.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Desano: “When they finished talking with God, it shook where they were sitting. When it happened thus, the Holy Spirit came, perfecting more in their souls, and filled them, and they all spoke the Word of God without fear.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

complete verse (Acts 5:40)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 5:40:

  • Uma: “After that, they called back those apostles of the Lord Yesus, and they beat them. They said to them: ‘Don’t you teach people any more naming the name Yesus!’ And after that they[contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form] released them.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “They summoned/called again the commissioned ones and commanded them to be whipped. Afterwards they instructed them they commanded them strictly not to speak about Isa again. Then they let them go.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “However, they brought in the apostles and had them beaten, and they said to the apostles that they should not teach faith in the name of Jesus. And then they let them go.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The leaders of the Jews followed that-aforementioned that Gamaliel said. They had-the apostles -called again and had-them -repeatedly-whipped (i.e. many strokes). Then they commanded that they never again (lit. not repeat to) tell concerning Jesus, and they released them.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When they heard that, they were indeed agreeable. But they caused those apostles to come in again and caused them to be beaten. And before they released them, they again forbade them to teach again concerning Jesus.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Morelos Nahuatl: “What he said appealed to them. They called the apostles and beat them. They said to them with strong words not to talk about Jesus Christ and they let them go.”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “All the authorities liked what he said and they summoned the apostles and beat them. They prohibited them from teaching what Jesus commanded them and then released them.”
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “They heard well what he said the Gamaliel and when they had brought them again the disciples they beat them and they told them not to teach again about Jesus. They let them go free.”
  • San Mateo del Mar Huave: “So then they believed his speech. Then they called the apostles. They were whipped and they were told they could not speak more in regard to the name of Jesus. Then they were released.”
  • Desano: “They were all in agreement when he said this. They called God’s chosen ones and commanded to beat them with ropes. They prohibited them from speaking about the power of Jesus. Then they let them go.” (Source for this and four above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)