Language-specific Insights

free

The Greek in 1 Corinthians 9:19 that is translated as “free” in English is translated in Matumbi as “not a slave” since there is no native word for “free.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

pearl

The Greek and Ge’ez that is translated as “pearl” in English is translated in Matumbi as samani ngu’lu’ or “valuable thing,” since pearls are not known. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

refuse to come to me

The Greek in John 5:40 that is translated as “refuse to come to me” or similar in English is translated in Matumbi as “refuse to believe/trust/rely on me.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

insight

The Greek in Ephesians 1:8 that is translated as “insight” or “understanding” or similar in English is translated in Matumbi as utangi, “meaning understanding — knowing what something is, or what it really means, or maybe how to do something.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

But what are they among so many people?

The Greek in John 6:9 that is translated as “But what are they among so many people?” or similar in English is translated in Matumbi as “But this amount of food for this crowd of people, who will get to eat and who will be left out?” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

pledge

The Greek that is translated as “pledge” or similar in English is translated in Matumbi as “first.” “We tried to think about what the main point of the word was, and we determined that the main point is that there is an initial payment of something that guarantees a larger payment later. This Matumbi word, which comes from the word for ‘first (hinting that something else is coming),’ is a word used to talk about buying a house or other large purchase, if you can’t pay the whole thing, you give the first payment so that the buyer knows you’re serious.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

see the wind

The Greek in Matthew 14:30 that is translated as “see (or: notice) the wind” in English is translated in Matumbi idiomatically as “hear the wind.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

gave them ability

The Greek in Acts 2:4 that is translated as “gave them ability” or similar in English is translated in Matumbi as “empowered them.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)