The Greek in 1 Corinthians 8:5 that is translated as “so-called gods” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with Pseudogötter or “pseudo gods.”
the assurance of things hoped for
The Greek in Hebrews 11:1 that is translated as “the assurance of things hoped for” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with ein Stück des Erhofften als geheime Kraft schon wirklich ist or “a part of the hoped-for has already become reality as a secret strength.”
insulted him and shook their heads
The Greek that is translated as “(they) insulted him and shook their heads” in English is translated in Dobel with the culturally equivalent “(they) continuously bit their lips at him and abused him.”
In Nüpode Huitoto, “shake their heads” is translated with the cultural equivalent “stick out their chins” (source: Ronald D. Olson in Notes on Translation January, 1968, p. 15ff.), in Chol with “spitting on the ground,” in Copainalá Zoque with “clapping the hands” (source: John Beekman in Notes on Translation, March 1965), p. 2ff.), and in Chichewa (interconfessional translation) as “showing their scorn” (“‘wagging their heads’ is understood as a nonverbal expression of frustration, grief, or even surprise — source: Wendland 1987, p. 110).
In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) idiomatically with verzogen höhnisch das Gesicht und spotteten or “tauntingly grimaced at him and mocked him.”
Since the shaking of the heads as meaningless in Toposa, the translators chose to say “kept mocking him” (emphasis added), highlighting the continuous aspect. (Source: Schröder 2026, p. 101).
See also shake the head.
cut to the heart, hearts were troubled
The Greek in Acts 2:37 that is translated as “cut to the heart” or “hearts were troubled” or alike in English is translated as “it entered squeezing in their spirits” in Chuj. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is translated as “their heart hurt.”
See also troubled.
what is born of the flesh is flesh
The Greek in John 3:6 that is translated as “what is born of the flesh is flesh” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) as eine Kreatur bringt immer wieder nur Kreaturen hervor or “a created being will always only bring forth created beings.”
they marched up over the breadth of the earth
The Greek in Revelation 20:9 that is translated as “they marched up over the breadth of the earth” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) as sie ziehen hinauf auf die Hochfläche der Erde or “they go up to the plateau of the earth.”
to you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God
The Greek in Mark 4:11 that is translated as “to you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) as unter euch ist Gottes Herrschaft unsichtbar, als Geheimnis, gegenwärtig or “God’s reign is present among you, invisibly, as a mystery.”
In a footnote they explain: “Literally: ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you.’ This does not refer to understanding, because the disciples clearly still lacked that. The word ‘mystery’ [or: secret] refers to the state of the kingdom, not to the disciples’ knowledge.”
tear clothes
The Greek that is translated as “tear clothes” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with reißen sich die Kleider vom Leib or “tear clothes off themselves.”
They explain (p. 25): “In Jewish mourning rituals, clothes are torn to show solidarity with the deceased and to show that one no longer wishes to live on; the dress symbolizes social existence. Whoever tears the clothes from his body annuls participation and community. Our translation therefore makes it clear that the tearing of clothes in these cases is directly related to the idolatry of people described in the context, which is considered the worst atrocity. Here, ‘mourning’ encompasses more than sadness, but rather lamentation, protest, renunciation and repentance all in one.”