The Greek that is translated as “guileless as to what is evil” or similar in English is translated as “don’t let others deceive you so that you do evil” in Miahuatlán Zapotec, as “fear the bad life” in Huehuetla Tepehua, as “don’t be those who know sick words” in Chicahuaxtla Triqui, as “don’t get involved with evil” in Yatzachi Zapotec, and as “never do evil” in Central Tarahumara. (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
Language-specific Insights
complete verse (Romans 11:9)
Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 11:9:
- Uma: “Thus also the words of King Daud long ago that say: ‘O Lord, I request that all the blessings of those people, just cause them to end up falling, to the point that they get disaster and punishment, in order that their evil behavior is paid back.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “Da’ud said, ‘May it be that because of their pleasures it is as if they were trapped (lit. trap hit-the-mark) and they can’t escape; it is as if they fell in a deep hole and they cannot get out. This is the repayment of their deeds.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And because of the unbelief of the Jews, there is also that which David said long ago, which said, ‘May it be that because of the good blessings which God has given them, they will mistakenly think that they have no sin. And may it be that by means of this they will be punished.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “David also, there is that which God caused-him -to-write saying, ‘May they suddenly be caught/arrested while they are participating-in-their-feasts like a bird who is caught in a snare or an animal who falls into a pit so that they will be properly punished.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “David says the same word, because he said: ‘There where the people feast, they think that they are having pleasure, they think God looks well on what they do. But it is not true that God looks well on what they do. Rather he will punish them for what they do.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
- Miahuatlán Zapotec: “David said: All of the feasts which the people of Israel do are in vain. Punishment will certainly overtake them and they will not escape.”
- Teutila Cuicatec: “Also David wrote as follows: “My Lord, cause the different feast days that these people make to be the means of their being lost.” (Source for this and above: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
complete verse (Romans 15:17)
Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 15:17:
- Uma: “From my connection with Kristus Yesus, I am proud [my heart is big] to recount the work that I have worked for God.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “Because I belong already to Isa Almasi, I am not ashamed to make well-known about what I do for God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And because of Jesus Christ’s help to me, I’m not ashamed to tell about everything that I’ve been able to do as a servant of God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “So because of my being-one-with Cristo Jesus, I can boast-about my aforementioned serving God.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “I thank Jesus Christ that the work I do for God has turned out well.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
- Miahuatlán Zapotec: “Therefore I feel it is all right if I become a little happy [polite way to talk about boasting] concerning the things that Jesus Christ did for you through my agency.”
- Chicahuaxtla Triqui: “And thanks to Christ Jesus I can speak well concerning my work which is the work of God.” (Source for this and above: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)