The Greek in Hebrews 13:4 that is translated in English “let the marriage bed be kept undefiled” or similar is translated in Alekano as “do not spoil the marriage” (source: Deibler / Taylor 1977, p. 1077) and in Makonde as “trust marriage.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
wise as serpents
The Greek in Matthew 10:16 that is translated in English as “wise as serpents” is translated in Bambam as “take-guard like a langkasi (= a small animal similar to a squirrel).”
Phil Campbell explains: “The Bambam people just could not connect with the snakes as being shrewd, but they have a lot of traditional folk tales of a shrewd squirrel-like-animal. We did add a footnote to explain the literal meaning in the original.”
In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is translated with seid umsichtig wie die Schlangen unter dem Laub or “be as cautious as snakes under the leaves.” And the translators add in a footnote: “… that don’t expose themselves to danger directly.”
In Komba, the extended phrase that is translated in English as “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” was translated as “live without falsity and with wisdom and straightness” since “the picture was too strange.” (Source: Deibler / Taylor 1977, p. 1076f.)
no greater joy
The Greek in 3 John 1:4that is translated in English as “I have no greater joy” is translated in Sinasina is translated as “this happiness of mine surpasses all other happiness” since there is no comparative form (such as “greater”).
untie sandals
The Greek that is translated as “(not worthy to) untie sandals” or similar in English is translated in various ways:
- Awa: “because he is an important one, when he speaks I will be silent”
- Yatzachi Zapotec: “I am not worthy to be his servant”
- Alekano: “if unworthy I should even carry his burden, it would not be right”
- Tenango Otomi: “I don’t compare with him” (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
- Ayutla Mixtec: “I am too unworthy to perform even the lowliest of tasks for him” (“to avoid the wrong meaning of playing a trick by tying the sandals”)
- Choapan Zapotec “I am not even important to carry his pack” (source for this and one above: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)
- Mairasi: “loosening the strap of His foot thing as His slave would do” (source: Enggavoter 2004)
- Bariai: “untie the string of his shoe, because he surpasses me very much” (source: Bariai Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “He is greater than I. I don’t compare with him.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
- German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999): auf Knien die Riemen seiner Sandalen zu lösen or “to loosen the straps of his sandals on my knees.”
See also sandal (illustration)
for the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all
The Greek in Titus 2:11 that is translated as “for the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all” or similar in English is translated in Wahgi as “God saying like this, ‘I desire to save without reward all people,’ sent Christ.” Like many languages, Wahgi not allow for verbal nominalization where a verb can be turned into a noun.
See also grace.
shadow (vs. spirit)
The Greek Acts 5:15 that is translated in English as “shadow” had to be translated in Dusun Witu as “sun shadow” because there is only one word for both “shadow” and “spirit.” (Source: Deibler / Taylor 1977, p. 1073.)
See also shadow and the Cheyenne translation in Holy Spirit.
grace be with you
hemorrhage stopped
The Greek that is translated as “hemorrhage stopped” or “made well” in English was translated in Kalam with the regularly used expression “it was dried up.” (Source: Deibler / Taylor 1977, p. 1075.)