The Greek in Romans 5:1 that is translated as “peace with God” in English is translated as “there’s nothing between us and God” in Hopi, as “we are at fellowship with God” in Chicahuaxtla Triqui, as “God has no anger toward us” in Huehuetla Tepehua, as “we have a good relationship with God” in Isthmus Zapotec, and as “we are living well with God” in Mezquital Otomi. (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
Language-specific Insights
chaste behavior, pure, pure conduct
The Greek in 1 Peter 3:2 that is translated in English as “pure conduct” (or “chaste behavior”) is translated in Balanta-Kentohe as “good walk” (source: Rob Koops), in Ojitlán Chinantec as “and will not think evil in their hearts,” in Sayula Popoluca as “walk clean,” in Tenango Otomi as “guard their hearts,” an in Isthmus Mixe as “not walk evilly” (source: John Beekman & Harwood Hess in Notes on Translation, March 1963, p. 1ff.)
The standalone term that is translated as “pure” is translated in Mezquital Otomi as “that which cleanses one’s thoughts,” and in Alekano as “making our insides white.” (Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).
See also snow (color).
do not be conformed to this world𖺗 but be transformed by the renewal of your mind
The Greek in Romans 12:2 that is translated in English as some form of “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” is translated into Bilua as “you must not follow this generation’s behavior, but you must allow God in your heart that he make you new in your life and thinking.”
The first part of this phrase (“(don’t be) conformed to this world”) is translated as “live doing as other people do who live here in the world” in Central Tarahumara, as “do like mankind does, people who are here on the earth” in Yatzachi Zapotec, as “do like people in this sinful world” in Chicahuaxtla Triqui, and “the life of those who walk in sin” in Mezquital Otomi.
The second part (“be transformed by the renewal of your mind”) is translated as “let the way you think become new and changed” in Chicahuaxtla Triqui, as “change so that what you think may become new” in Sayula Popoluca, as “let God change your head-hearts in order that your thoughts will he changed” in Yatzachi Zapotec, as “be different since the Holy Spirit has made your mind new” in Huehuetla Tepehua, and as “in a different way think well” in Central Tarahumara. (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
mystery
The Greek, Ge’ez, and Aramaic that is translated as “mystery” in English is translated as “wisdom which was hidden” in Mezquital Otomi, as “that was not possible to be understood before” in Huehuetla Tepehua, as “which was not known in time past” in Central Tarahumara (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.), and in Newari as “hidden meaning” or “hidden matter” (source: Newari Back Translation).
peaceable
The Greek in James 3:17 that is typically translated as “peaceable” in English is translated in a variety of ways:
- Central Mazahua / Yatzachi Zapotec: “not start fights”
- Mezquital Otomi: “not be contentious”
- Rincón Zapotec: “live peaceably”
- Eastern Highland Otomi: “know to reconcile the hearts of our fellowmen”
(Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).
See also peace (absence of conflict).
baptize with the Holy Spirit
The Greek that is translated in English as “baptize with the Holy Spirit” is translated in Ixcatlán Mazatec as “(baptize so that) the Holy Spirit will come upon/enter you” (source: Robert Bascom) and in Mairasi as “wash with the Holy Spirit” (“water” baptism is “wash with water”) (source: Enggavoter 2004).
Other languages translate as follows:
- Rincón Zapotec: “be baptized with the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit will come to be with you”
- Teutila Cuicatec: “God’s Holy Spirit will possess you”
- Chuj: “God’s Spirit will be given to you”
- Mezquital Otomi: “be baptized with the power of the Holy Spirit”
- Mayo: “receive the Holy Spirit in the same way you receive baptism”
- Lalana Chinantec: “the Great Spirit will enter your hearts” (Source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
See also Holy Spirit and baptism / baptize.
proper worship, spiritual worship
The Greek in Romans 12:1 that is translated as “spiritual worship” or “proper worship” or similar in English is translated as “the way you really ought to serve God” in Miahuatlán Zapotec and “worship God with mind and heart” in Mezquital Otomi. (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
submit to God
The Greek in James 4:7 that is translated as “submit to God” in English is translated as
- “let God be in charge of your hearts” in Tzotzil
- “calm down before God” in Guhu-Samane
- “obey God” in Mezquital Otomi
- “give oneself over to God” in Sayula Popoluca
- “stick close to God” in Alekano (source for this and above: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)
- “you must be living underneath God and so be listening to/obeying his voice” in Bariai (source: Bariai Back Translation)
- “pay tribute to Above-One” in Mairasi (source: Enggavoter 2004)
See also not submit to God’s righteousness.