Language-specific Insights

put on the armor of light

The Greek in Romans 13:12 that is translated as “put on the armor of light” or similar in English is translated as “do what we ought to do because God’s light had entered into our head-hearts” in Yatzachi Zapotec, as “walk in God’s light in order for him to take care of us” in Sayula Popoluca, as “let us have our manner of life towards God which is a new manner of life that we have. That way we will be guarding ourselves from evil” in Miahuatlán Zapotec, and as “do that which is good like that which is done in the light. Be like soldiers who are prepared to fight for what is right” in North Alaskan Inupiatun. (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)

I find no crime in him

The Greek that is translated as “I find no crime in him” or similar in English is translated as “not a single fault do I find in this man” in Ojitlán Chinantec, “I don’t find any sin in this man” in Huehuetla Tepehua, “it is not known to me even a little bit of bad which he has done” in Aguaruna, “I think this man has no sin” in Chol, and “it is not apparent that this man is guilty” in Yatzachi Zapotec.

(Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)

but ask in faith never doubting

The Greek in James 1:6 that is translated as “but ask in faith, never doubting” or “but ask him without doubting” or similar in English is translated as “but when we ask Him to teach us, we must believe that He is listening-obeying us and we must not doubt” in Yatzachi Zapotec and as “but we must think one thing when we sincerely ask for understanding, and not think he won’t give it to us, we’ll think we will be given understanding” in Eastern Highland Otomi. (Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)

See also doubt.

difficult teaching, hard saying

The Greek in John 6:60 that is translated as “difficult teaching” or “hard saying” or alike in English is translated as “speaking that which is unclean” in Aguaruna, “words that hurt” in Umiray Dumaget Agta, “difficult words” in Yatzachi Zapotec, or “perplexing talk” in Alekano. (Source: John Beekman in Notes on Translation 12, November 1964, p. 1ff.)

The English translation by Pakaluk (2021) has offensive language. He4 explains (p. 78f.): Sometimes translated as ‘This is a hard saying,’ but the word rendered ‘hard’ means dry, tough, and rough — thus, by implication, repulsive — and it is not any ‘saying’ that repels them, but the teaching itself.”

revel

The Greek that is translated “revel(ing)” or similar in English is translated as “taking part in fiestas where there is disorderly conduct” in Yatzachi Zapotec, as “run around at night” in Isthmus Zapotec and as “go where they do bad things in fiestas” in Huehuetla Tepehua.

first fruits of his creatures

The Greek in James 1:18 that is translated as “first fruits of his creatures” or similar in English is translates in Central Mazahua as “first of his people,” in Yatzachi Zapotec as “the first harvest which they gather to give to God,” or in Rincón Zapotec as “a first harvest of all that which God himself made.”

(Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)