Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:13:
Yatzachi Zapotec: “They are his children, not because they were born physically, and not because a man lusted after a woman, and not because a man wanted to have children. God made them his children.”
Huichol: “Their origin is not the ordinary human birth, nor is it a matter of attraction between their parents in the usual human way, nor is it a matter of a man wanting to form a posterity. . . . ” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Uma: “They did not become children of God because of their parents, also not from the power of man, or from marriage / mating. God himself made them his children.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “They are made children of God not like men come-into-being or from the will/wish of men/mankind or from the desire of mankind. But they are made children of God from the will of God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The way by which they became children of God was not the way of bearing children here on the earth, because they were not at that time born by means of the procreation of an earthly father, but rather their father is God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Their becoming children of God, it was not in-a-human-manner (connotes sinful, limited humanity), because it didn’t originate-from the sleeping-together of a married-couple and their purpose to have children, but rather it originated-from God’s power.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “It’s not that they got to be children of God because they were given birth to by God like human giving-birth or because of the nature/ways or will of a married-couple, but on the contrary they became-children/were-adopted through the will of God.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “To become children of God doesn’t mean that they live anew like the children of people are born, or that some person wanted it thus. Only it is that God caused them to be his children.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “They became children of God not by-means-of bodily birth nor the will of person/people, but by-means-of the will of God. ” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Mairasi: “specifically those people were not born from blood, not from flesh, and Furthermore not from bodies, or not from a male person’s desire, but those who were born from Above-One.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
Bariai: “They didn’t become God’s children by their mothers’ and fathers’ blood, and not [by] the desire of our (incl.) bodies, and not [by] any person’s desire either. But God alone made them to become his children.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Kupsabiny: “Those people didn’t become children of God in the way a person wants a child or in the way a child is born, but it is God alone who makes those people to be his children.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 23:1:
Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“Jehovah is my shepherd,
I will not lack anything.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Chichewa interconfessional translation, 1999:
“Chauta [see tetragrammaton (YHWH)] he is my herdsman,
I will surely not lack a [little] thing, not at all.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 148f.)
Chichewa poetic translation in the traditional ndakatulo genre to encourage oral and musical performances:
“Herdsman of mine he’s so good-hearted.
Chauta is that most famous name of his.
In him, as for me — I lack nothing, not at all.” (Source: Ernst Wendland)
Kupsabiny:
“God is my guard/keeper,
I do not lack anything.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)(Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Adilabad Gondi:
“Due to Jehovah God being my shepherd,
I will not lack anything.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
Newari:
“The LORD is my Shepherd,
I will not lack anything.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon:
“You (sing.), LORD, are my shepherd,
so I will- not -be-lacking (anything).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Eastern Bru:
“God cares me. So I don’t lack anything. He cares for me like a keeper ordinarily cares for his sheep.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
Laarim:
“The LORD is my shepherd,
there will be nothing I want.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Bwana ni mchungaji wangu,
sipungukiwi kitu chochote.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
English:
“Yahweh, you care for me like a shepherd cares for his sheep.
So I have everything that I need.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 19:31:
Noongar: “If people ask why you are untying the donkey, tell them, ‘The Lord wants it’.'” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
Uma: “If people ask you why your are untying it, say: ‘Because the Lord needs it.’ ‘” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “If someone asks why you untie it, say ‘The Lord needs it.’ ‘” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And if someone asks you why you are untying it, you say, ‘Our Lord Jesus needs this.’ ‘” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “If someone inquires of you, ‘Why are you untying that?’ say, ‘Our (excl.) Lord needs it.’ ‘” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “If there is someone who comments on it to you as to why you are untying it, say, ‘The Lord needs it.”” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Bariai: “And if anyone asks the two of you, ‘Why is it that you’re untying its rope?’ then speak to him like this, ‘The Chief has work with it.’ ‘” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Kupsabiny: “And when/if somebody ask you why you are untying the donkey, tell him that, ‘The Lord wants/needs it.’‘ ” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Mairasi: “But if the people ask you: ‘Why are you guys untying this keledai [donkey]?’ they will say, then tell that person [who asked]: ‘It is Above-One [Lord]’s throat’ you must say’ says Yesus to them.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
Hiligaynon: “If someone asks you(pl) why you(pl) are untying the ass, you(pl) answer him that the Lord needs-(it).’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 2:5:
Uma: “At that time also, there were in Yerusalem many Yahudi from towns all over the world. Those people were all ones who submitted to Lord God.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “At that time there were in Awrusalam Yahudi from the-many-countries in the world. They were very religious people.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And there were Jews there in Jerusalem who had come from every country here on top of the earth, and they were faithful in carrying out the commands of God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “There were Jews who were serving God who were staying in Jerusalem. They were from all the nations in this world.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Well, at that time, there were in Jerusalem Jews who came from many different lands here under the heavens. As for those people, they were indeed devout-worshippers of God.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “At the same time, there in Jerusalem, there were some godly Jews who came-from the different nations of the whole world.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Mairasi: “At that time Yehudi people, from the various villages and languages of this whole who honored Above-One, lived in Yerusalem.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
Bariai: “And in that day, some people of Iuda who respected God were living in the areas of all tribes on earth, and they went to Ierusalem for the feast and so were visitors.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Kupsabiny: “There were some Jews in Jerusalem who had dedicated themselves to God. They came from different parts of the world.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Desano: “In those days there were many people in the city of Jerusalem from all parts of the world. They had the same belief in God that the Jews did.”
Morelos Nahuatl: “At that time Jews who believed very much went to the town of Jerusalem. They had come from all other nations.”
Teutila Cuicatec: “A number of people of the race of Israel who obeyed what was established in God’s law had come from all over the world and were in the city of Jerusalem that day.” (Source for this and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation
Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 7:7:
Uma: “‘Ask of God, he will give it to us (incl.). Search for our (incl.) needs to God, we (incl.) will receive them. Don’t stop asking for the door to be opened, God will open the door for us (incl.).” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “‘Ask and you will be given, seek and you will find, ask to be let in and it will be opened to you.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Keep on asking from God and he will give to you. Keep on looking, and he will cause you to find what you are looking for. Keep on calling, and he will open the door for you.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Jesus also said, ‘You should always be making-requests to God, and he will give you what you are requesting. Continue also to search and you will find what you are looking for. You should persist also in knocking and the doorway will be opened for you to enter.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “‘Persist with your (pl.) requesting from God because it’s certain you will be given to. Persist with your searching for what you need from him, for he will help you be able to find it. Plead to be allowed to enter his presence, for he really will respond-favorably.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “God will give you what you need. Ask for what you want. Concerning what you hunt for (need), you will find it. When you knock on the door in calling to God, it will be opened for you.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Kuwaataay: “‘Pray, and you will be given; seek, and you will obtain; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Source: Kuwaataay Back Translation)
Kupsabiny: “Jesus went on to say that, ‘When you ask, you are given, when you look for something, you get, and when you knock, it will be opened to you.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Bariai: “Iesus spoke again like this, ‘Be asking God, and then he will give to you (pl.). Be searching for whatever thing from God, and then you will find it. Knock on the door, and then God will open to you.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Mairasi: “You must/should make requests, eventually [someone] will give [what you requested] to you guys. Look [for something], eventually you will find what you guys sought. Knock [and] call eventually the door will be opened for you guys.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
Hiligaynon: “You ask it from God and he will give to you. You continue to come-near to him about your needs and you will be the recipients of it. You to God and he will-answer you.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:3:
Uma: “He is the one God used-as-his-hands to cause-to-be all that was caused-to-be. There is not one thing that became without Him.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Everything was created by the Word by/from the command of God. There was nothing created whatever here in this world/universe if not from the Word.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “All the things that God created were through this Word, and there was nothing that was created if it wasn’t by means of him, the Word of God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “He was the one whom God had-make all that exists, and absolutely nothing was made except (lit. if not) through him.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “By the strength of his supernatural-power, all things were laid-down/spread-out (i.e.existed). The truth is, there was nothing at all which was created-supernaturally of which he wasn’t the one who created.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “He made all the things there are as God wanted them to be. Of all the things there are, there isn’t one that he didn’t make.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Through him, all things were-made, and nothing at-all[intensifier] was-made that was not through him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Mairasi: “He Himself is the One Who made all things. If He Himself were not there then none of this would have come into existence.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
Bariai: “By him, God made everything to come forth. And everything which came forth, it didn’t come forth by any other way. It came forth by him alone.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Kupsabiny: “Everything was created through him. If he had not existed, everything which has been seen/come into existence would not have been seen.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 4:8:
Noongar: “Jesus said, ‘The Scriptures say, ‘Worship the Lord your God and only work for him’.'” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
Uma: “Yesus answered: ‘In the Holy Book it is written like this: ‘We must worship our Lord, the Lord God. Only just He is worthy/fitting for us to submit to.’ ‘” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Isa answered him, he said, ‘It is written in the holy book it says, ‘You shall prostrate before God your Lord and he shall be the only one whom you worship.’ ‘” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then Jesus answered, ‘There is a written word of God which says, ‘The only one you must worship is the Lord your God, and any other called god, don’t you obey his commandments.’ ‘” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “But Jesus answered and said, ‘The written word of God says, ‘Do not worship and serve any other but rather only God your Lord.’ ‘” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Jesus replied, ‘Isn’t it so that it is indeed written, ‘Only your (sing.) God is whom you are to worship, and he only is whom you are to serve.”” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Bariai: “And then Iesus answered his talk like this, ‘God’s leaf/book has talk like this, ‘You (sing.) must lift up your Chief God’s name, and so be holding his work alone.’ ‘” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Kupsabiny: “Jesus replied, ‘The writings of God say, ‘You should kneel/bow for God and honour/fear/obey him alone.'” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Mairasi: “Yesus said to him: ‘In the Holy Book it is already written: ‘You must worship Great Above One your Above-One. Then regularly honor only Him.’ it says.'” (Source Enggavoter 2004)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 23:2:
Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“He lays me in green pastures,
He leads me to clean drinking water,” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Chichewa interconfessional translation, 1999:
“He lays me down on a pasture of new grass.
He guides me to still waters to go and rest there.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 148f.)
Chichewa poetic translation in the traditional ndakatulo genre to encourage oral and musical performances:
“DOWN! [Gonee! — an ideophone, i.e. a literary device that expresses what is perceived by the five senses] on fresh greens he makes me lie down.
[My] resting place is at quiet waters,” (Source: Ernst Wendland)
Kupsabiny:
“He makes me graze where there is green grass, and makes me sleep/lie there.
He leads me to the water that flows in silence.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Adilabad Gondi:
“He (emph.) causes me to lie down in green grass.
He leads me to slow flowing clean/good water.” (Source: Adilabad Gondi Back Translation)
Newari:
“He causes me to lie down in green grass,
He takes me along to ponds of clear water.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon:
“I (am) like a sheep that you (sing.) cause- me -to-rest in a pasture which (has) abundant grass
and is-being-led to calm/quiet water(s).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Eastern Bru:
“He leads me to go to a beautiful good place, like a keeper ordinarily leads his sheep to rest in a field of very good green grass, a place that has clear water flowing and is quiet.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
Laarim:
“He gives me rest in a place where the grass stays good,
he takes me to the place where water stays still,” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Ananilaza penye nyika penye majani mazuri.
Ananipeleka penye maji mazuri.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
English:
“You encourage me
and give me peace;
you are like a shepherd
who leads his sheep to places where there is plenty of green grass for them to eat,
and lets them rest beside streams where the water is flowing slowly.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
