The Greek in Romans 11:5 that is translated as “chosen by grace” or similar in English is translated as “God had mercy on and chose” in Isthmus Zapotec, as “picked out to worship him because he loves them” in Yatzachi Zapotec, and “God loving very much chose” in Central Tarahumara. (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
Language-specific Insights
I will lay down my life for you
The Greek in John 13:37 that is translated as “I will lay down my life for you” is translated in various ways:
- Huehuetla Tepehua: “I will give my life for you”
- Aguaruna: “I am one who is able to die for you”
- Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “I would die for you”
- Navajo (Dinė): “Although I should die on account of you, that’s all right”
- Yatzachi Zapotec: “I will give up myself for people to kill me because I love you, if it is necessary”
(Source: John Beekman in Notes on Translation 12, November 1964, p. 1ff.)
declared to be Son of God with power
The Greek in Romans 1:4 that is translated as “(he was) declared to be Son of God with power” or similar is translated into various languages as:
- Tzeltal: “by means of God’s power it was made evident that (Jesus) is the Son of God
- Sayula Popoluca: “God said that he is his Son and that he has strength”
- Hopi: “Thus God showed to the people that he was his Son, (Jesus) having received power from the Holy Spirit”
- Yatzachi Zapotec: “Shows that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that Jesus Christ is powerful”
(Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
guileless as to what is evil
The Greek in Romans 16:19 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.)
build up
The Greek that is translated as “building up” in many English versions is translated in Chol with a term that specifically indicates to make others better (here and elsewhere, in their faith in Christ). (Source: Robert Bascom)
In Huehuetla Tepehua it is translated as “have more confidence in Christ,” in Chicahuaxtla Triqui as “cause that their hearts grow strong with reference to the way of God,” in Yatzachi Zapotec as “to become stronger in their faith,” and in Central Tarahumara as “so that they can believe better yet.” (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
slow to speak
The Greek in James 1:19 that is translated as “slow to speak” in English is translated as “speak without thinking” in Yatzachi Zapotec.
(Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)
alive to God
The Greek in Romans 6:11 that is translated as “alive to God” or similar is translated as “living in order to give honor to God” in Yatzachi Zapotec, as “it is God for whom you live now” in Highland Totonac, “God has caused you to be alive, to do what he wants” in Tabasco Chontal, and as “live like servants of God” Huehuetla Tepehua. (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
conscience
The Hebrew and Greek that is rendered in English as “conscience” is translated into Aari as “our thoughts speak to us,” in Nuer it is “the knowledge of their heart” (source: Jan Sterk), in Cheke Holo “to know what is straight and what is wrong” (source: Carl Gross), in Chokwe “law of the heart” (source D.B. Long in The Bible Translator 1953, p. 135ff. ), in Toraja-Sa’dan penaa ma’pakilala or “the admonishing within” (source: H. van der Veen in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 21 ff. ), in Yatzachi Zapotec as “head-hearts,” in Tzeltal as “hearts” (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.), in Enlhet as “innermost,” in Northern Emberá as “thinking” (source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1975, p. 201ff. ), and in Elhomwe as “what reminds the heart” or “whole heart” (“since the idea of conscience is something that reminds the heart”) (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext).
In Warao it is translated with obojona, a term that “includes the concepts of consciousness, will, attitude, attention and a few other miscellaneous notions” (source: Henry Osborn in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 74ff. ). See other occurrences of Obojona in the Warao New Testament.
In Mbudum it is translated as “the heart that does not leap.” (Source: Ervais Fotso Noumsi in Le Sycomore, 16/1, 2022 )
See also conscience seared and perfect conscience / clear conscience, clear conscience towards God and all people, and brothers, up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.