The Hebrew in 2 Samuel 22:29 that is translated as “lightens my darkness” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “chasing the darkness away.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
what can flesh do to me
The Hebrew in Psalm 56:4 that is translated as “what can flesh do to me” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “what can a person who dies do to me?” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Aaron's rod
The Greek in Hebrews 9:4 that is translated as “Aaron’s rod” or “Aaron’s stick” in English is translated in Mwera as “Aaron’s walking stick.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Introduction to Hosea (Pioneer Bible Translators)
(Pioneer Bible Translators and The Word for the World use the following introduction in many of their translation projects around the world.)
The book of Hosea tells about the life of Hosea and his prophetic visions. Hosea 1:1 says that he prophesied during the reigns of four kings of Judah and the reign of one king of Israel. He started prophesying around 750 B.C. It is unknown whether Hosea recorded his own prophesies in this book or whether someone else did.
Hosea was from the northern kingdom of Israel and most of his prophetic messages were intended for Israel. God commanded Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman named Gomer (1:2). They had three children, but Gomer left Hosea to be with another man. Then the Lord commanded Hosea to continue loving Gomer even though she had committed adultery (3:1). Their family was a symbol of the relationship between God and Israel. Even though Israel betrayed God by worshiping idols, He still faithfully loved Israel and promised to save the nation. Hosea’s prophecy emphasizes the faithfulness and goodness of God’s love.
Outline:
1. Chapters 1-3 tell of Hosea’s life and marriage to Gomer.
2. Chapters 4-14 tell of both the unfaithfulness of Israel and the faithful love of God.
This work is owned by Pioneer Bible Translators International and The World for the World International and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License .
Translation: French
Introduction à Osée
Le livre d’Osée parle de la vie d’Osée et de ses visions prophétiques. Le verset Osée 1.1 dit qu’il prophétisait pendant les règnes de quatre rois de Juda et le règne d’un roi d’Israël. Il a commencé à prophétiser vers 750 av. J.C. On ne sait pas si Osée a enregistré ses propres prophéties dans ce livre ou si quelqu’un d’autre l’a fait.
Osée venait du royaume nord d’Israël et la plupart de ses prophéties étaient destinées à Israël. Dieu a ordonné à Osée d’épouser une femme de mauvaise vie appelée Gomer (1.2). Ils ont eu trois enfants mais Gomer a quitté Osée pour être avec un autre homme. Puis le Seigneur a ordonné à Osée de continuer à aimer Gomer même si elle avait commis l’adultère (3.1). Leur famille était un symbole de la relation entre Dieu et Israël. Bien qu’Israël ait trahi Dieu en adorant des idoles, il aimait encore fidèlement Israël et promettait de sauver la nation. La prophétie d’Osée souligne la fidélité et la bonté de l’amour de Dieu.
Résumé d’Osée
1. Les chapitres 1-3 racontent la vie d’Osée et de son mariage avec Gomer.
2. Les chapitres 4-14 racontent et l’infidélité d’Israël et l’amour fidèle de Dieu.
Translation: Swahili
Utangulizi wa Hosea
Kitabu cha Hosea kinasimulia juu ya maisha ya Hosea na maono yake ya kinabii. Hosea 1:1 inasema kwamba alitabiri wakati wa utawala wa wafalme wanne wa Yuda na utawala wa mfalme mmoja wa Israeli. Alianza kutabiri mnamo mwaka 750 B.C (kabla ya Kristo). Haijulikani kama Hosea aliandika unabii wake mwenyewe katika kitabu hiki au kama mtu mwingine alifanya.
Hosea alitoka katika ufalme wa kaskazini wa Israeli na ujumbe wake mwingi wa unabii ulikuwa umekusudiwa kwa Israeli. Mungu alimwamuru Hosea amuoe mwanamke mwasherati anayeitwa Gomeri (1: 2). Walikuwa na watoto watatu, lakini Gomeri alimwacha Hosea awe na mwanamme mwingine. Ndipo Bwana akamwamuru Hosea aendelee kumpenda Gomeri ingawa alikuwa amezini (3: 1). Familia yao ilikuwa kama ishara ya uhusiano kati ya Mungu na Israeli. Ingawa Israeli ilimsaliti Mungu kwa kuabudu sanamu, bado aliwapenda Israeli kwa uaminifu na akaahidi kuliokoa taifa hilo. Unabii wa Hosea ulisisitiza uaminifu na wema wa upendo wa Mungu.
Muhtasari:
1. Sura ya 1-3 inazungumzia maisha ya Hosea na ndoa yake na Gomeri.
2. Sura ya 4-14 inasimulia juu ya ukosefu wa uaminifu wa Israeli na upendo mwaminifu wa Mungu.
Introduction to James (Pioneer Bible Translators)
(Pioneer Bible Translators and The Word for the World use the following introduction in many of their translation projects around the world.)
The book of James was written by someone called James. This was possibly James the brother of Jesus, who was a leader in the early church and was part of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:13). The Apostle Paul also called him a ‘pillar’ of the church in Galatians 2:9. Scholars believe that the book of James was written about 50 years after the birth of Christ. Since James was a leader of the church in Jerusalem, he probably wrote the book while living there.
James addresses his book to the “twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (1:1). The lessons in James are applicable to all Christians but the use of the words “twelve tribes” makes it probable that James was writing directly to Jewish Christians. Because this book was meant to reach a broad group of readers, it addressed many topics. James does focus on the relationship between faith and actions. True faith will be shown in action (2:17). He also warns against showing favoritism to rich people (2:1-4) and tells us to be careful about what we say (3:1–12).
Outline:
1. James greets his readers in 1:1.
2. Next he encourages Christians to persevere when they suffer (1:2-27).
3. Then he says how it is necessary for faith to be shown through actions (2:1-26).
4. After that he says how powerful words can be (3:1-12).
5. Then James explains how the wisdom of God is different than the wisdom of the world (3:13-4:10).
6. Next he warns his readers against being boastful (4:11-5:6).
7. James finishes his book in 5:7-20 by giving some general instructions.
This work is owned by Pioneer Bible Translators International and The World for the World International and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License .
Translation: French
Introduction à Jacques
Le livre de Jacques a été écrit par une personne du nom de Jacques. C’était vraisemblablement Jacques le frère de Jésus qui était un responsable dans l’église primitive et faisait partie du conseil à Jérusalem (Actes 15 :13). L’apôtre Paul l’avait aussi appelé un « pilier » de l’église dans Galates 2 :9. Des experts croient que le livre de Jacques a été écrit environ 50 ans après la naissance de Christ. Puisque Jacques était un responsable de l’église à Jérusalem, il a probablement écrit le livre lorsqu’il y vivait.
Jacques adresse son livre aux « douze tribus dispersées parmi les nations » (1 :1) Les leçons dans Jacques s’appliquent à tous les chrétiens mais l’utilisation des mots « douze tribus » rend probable que Jacques écrivait directement aux chrétiens juifs. Ce livre traite de divers sujets parce qu’il était destiné à atteindre un large groupe de lecteurs. Jacques se concentre sur la relation entre la foi et les œuvres. La foi réelle se montre dans les œuvres (2 :17). Il met aussi en garde contre le favoritisme envers les riches (2 :1-4) et il nous dit de faire attention à ce que nous disons. (3 :1-12).
Résumé
1. Jacques salue ses lecteurs dans 1 :1.
2. Puis il encourage les chrétiens à persévérer lorsqu’ils souffrent (1 :2-27).
3. Il dit ensuite combien il est nécessaire que la foi soit démontrée par des œuvres (2 :1-26).
4. Après cela il dit combien les paroles peuvent avoir du pouvoir (3 :1-12).
5. Jacques explique ensuite combien la sagesse de Dieu est différente de la sagesse des hommes (3 :13-4 :10).
6. Ensuite il met en garde ses lecteurs contre la vantardise (4 :11-5 :6).
7. Jacques termine son livre dans 5 :7-20 en donnant certaines instructions générales.
Translation: Swahili
Utangulizi wa kitabu cha Yakobo
Kitabu cha Yakobo kiliandikwa na mtu aliyeitwa Yakobo. Yawezekana huyu ni Yakobo aliyekuwa mdogo wa Yesu kwa mamaye na kiongozi wa kanisa la kwanza, mmoja wa viongozi wa baraza lile la kwanza la kanisa lililofanyika Yerusalemu (Matendo 15:13). Mtume Paulo pia alimwita “nguzo” ya kanisa katika kitabu cha Wagalatia 2:9. Wasomi wa mambo ya Biblia wanaamini kwamba kitabu cha Yakobo kiliandikwa kabla ya mwaka wa 50 baada ya kuzaliwa Yesu Kristo. Kwa kuwa Yakobo alikuwa kiongozi wa kanisa lililokuwa Yerusalemu, yawezekana kabisa kwamba alikiandika kitabu hicho alipokuwa akiishi katika mji huo.
Yakobo anakiandika kitabu chake walengwa wake wakiwa ni “makabila kumi na mawili yaliyotawanyika ulimwenguni” (1:1). Mafundisho yaliyo katika kitabu cha Yakobo ni yenye manufaa kwa Wakristo wote, lakini matumizi ya maneno “makabila kumi na mawili” yanafanya kuwe na uwezekano kwamba Yakobo alikuwa ameiandika barua hii akiwalenga Wakristo waliokuwa na asili ya Kiyahudi. Kwa kuwa kitabu hiki kilikusudiwa kiyafikie makundi mengi tofauti ya wasomaji, kitabu hiki kilishughulikia mada nyingi tofauti. Yakobo analenga kuonyesha uhusiano uliopo kati ya imani na matendo. Imani ya kweli itaonekana katika matendo yake (2:17). Pia anaonya kuhusu kuonyesha upendeleo kwa watu walio matajiri (2:1-4), na kutuambia tuwe waangalifu kuhusiana na yale tuyasemayo (3:1-12).
Muhtasari:
1. Yakobo anawasalimu wasomaji wake katika 1:1.
2. Kisha anawatia moyo Wakristo wavumilie wapitapo katika mateso (1:2-27).
3. Baadaye anaeleza jinsi lilivyo jambo la lazima kuonyesha imani kwa njia ya matendo (2:1-26).
4. Halafu anaeleza ni jinsi gani maneno yaweza kuwa na nguvu (3:1-12).
5. Kisha Yakobo anaonesha jinsi hekima ya Mungu ilivyo tofauti na hekima ya ulimwengu (3:13-4:10).
6. Halafu anawaonya wasomaji wake wasiwe watu wenye majivuno (4:11-5:6).
7. Yakobo anahitimisha kitabu chake katika 5:7-20 kwa kutoa maelekezo ya jumla.
millstone
The Hebrew, Ge’ez and Greek that is translated as “millstone” in English is illustrated for use in Bible translations in East Africa by Pioneer Bible Translators like this:
Image owned by PBT and Jonathan McDaniel and licensed with the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
In the German translation by Fridolin Stier (1989) is it translated as “donkey millstone” (Eselsmühlstein) and in Cherokee as nvya or “rock” (source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 16).
See also a mill or an upper millstone.
Introduction to Numbers (Pioneer Bible Translators)
(Pioneer Bible Translators and The Word for the World use the following introduction in many of their translation projects around the world.)
The book of Numbers tells about Israel’s journey of 40 years through the wilderness before they reached the promised land, Canaan. The book is called Numbers because it has two sections that show the number of fighting men in each tribe of Israel (chapter 1 and chapter 26). Traditionally, scholars believe that the book of Numbers, as well as the other books in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy), were written by the prophet Moses. This seems to be suggested by the text itself because Numbers starts by saying that God spoke to Moses (Numbers 1:1). It is also possible that Moses wrote most of the book and that scribes later added some parts. For example: it is difficult to think that Moses would have written a verse like Numbers 12:3, where his own humility is praised.
During their journey through the wilderness, the Israelites complained and rebelled against God several times. In response, they were punished. One example of this is when the Israelites were afraid and complained that the people of Canaan were too strong (Numbers 14:1–4). Because of this, God said that a whole generation of people would die before the Israelites could enter the promised land. Moses himself also disobeyed God and was not allowed to go into the promised land. And even though the people rebelled, God continued to protect them. When the Israelites’ enemies hired a pagan seer called Balaam to speak curses on the Israelites, God only allowed him to speak blessings on them instead (Numbers 22-24).
Outline:
1. Chapters 1 through 10:11 contain information about a census of the Israelites, as well as the arrangement of their camp, the priests’ duties, and the gifts that were received from each tribe when the altar was dedicated.
2. Then Numbers tells about Israel’s journey through the wilderness, in chapters 10:12 through 25.
3. Chapters 26 through 36 describe the second census and other instructions for the nation of Israel. This includes the names of places where the Israelites had set up camp on their way to the promised land and how this land would be divided among the tribes when they entered it.
This work is owned by Pioneer Bible Translators International and The World for the World International and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License .
Translation: French
Introduction aux Nombres
Le Livre des Nombres relate les 40 années du voyage d’Israël à travers le désert avant d’atteindre Canaan, le pays promis. Le livre s’appelle les Nombres parce qu’il a deux sections qui montrent le nombre d’hommes au combat de chaque tribu d’Israël (chapitre 1 et chapitre 26). Traditionnellement les experts croient que le livre des Nombres de même que les autres livres du Pentateuque (la Genèse, l’Exode, le Lévitique et le Deutéronome) avaient été écrits par le prophète Moïse. Ceci semble être suggéré par le texte lui-même parce que le livre des Nombres commence en disant que Dieu avait parlé à Moïse (Nombres 1 :1). Il est aussi possible que Moïse aie écrit la plus grande partie du livre et que des scribes aient ajouté certaines parties ultérieurement. Par exemple : il est difficile de penser que Moïse aurait écrit un verset comme Nombres 12 :3 dans lequel sa propre humilité était célébrée.
Durant leur voyage au travers du désert, les Israélites s’étaient plaints et rebellés de nombreuses fois contre Dieu. Ils avaient été punis en réponse à cela. Un exemple à ce sujet est quand les Israélites avaient eu peur et s’étaient plaints que le peuple de Canaan était trop fort (Nombres 14 :1-4). Pour cette raison Dieu avait dit que toute une génération de personnes allait mourir avant que les Israélites puissent entrer dans le pays promis. Moïse lui-même avait désobéi à Dieu et n’avait pas été autorisé d’entrer dans le pays promis. Et même si le peuple se rebellait, Dieu continuait à les protéger. Lorsque les ennemis d’Israël avaient engagé un voyant païen du nom de Balaam pour prononcer des malédictions sur les Israélites, au lieu de ceci Dieu lui a permis de prononcer seulement des bénédictions (Nombres 22-24).
Résumé
1. Les chapitres 1 à 10:11 contiennent des informations sur un recensement des Israélites ainsi que sur l’arrangement de leur camp, les devoirs des prêtres et les offrandes qui étaient reçues de chaque tribu lorsque l’autel fut dédicacé.
2. Puis le livre des Nombres parle du voyage d’Israël à travers le désert dans les chapitres 10:12 jusqu’au chapitre 25.
3. Les chapitres 26 à 36 décrivent le second recensement et d’autres instructions pour la nation d’Israël. Ceci inclut les noms d’endroits où les Israélites avaient dressé leur camp en route vers le pays promis et comment ce pays allait être divisé parmi les tribus lorsqu’elles y seraien
Translation: Swahili
Utangulizi wa Kitabu cha Hesabu
Kitabu cha Hesabu kinaelezea safari ya miaka 40 ya wana wa Israeli kupitia jangwani, walipokuwa hawajaingia ndani ya nchi ya ahadi, yaani nchi ya Kanaani. Kitabu chenyewe kinaitwa Hesabu kwa sababu kina sehemu mbili zinazotoa idadi ya wanaume wapiganaji waliokuwamo katika kila kabila la Israeli (sura 1 na 26). Kimapokeo, wanazuoni wa mambo ya kibiblia wanaamini kwamba kitabu cha Hesabu, na pia vitabu vingine vilivyomo ndani ya Torati (Mwanzo, Kutoka, Walawi, na Kumbukumbu la Torati), viliandikwa na nabii Musa. Ukweli huu unadokezwa na kitabu chenyewe kwa kusema Mwenyezi Mungu aliongea na Musa (Hesabu 1:1). Yawezekana pia kwamba Musa aliandika sehemu kubwa ya kitabu chenyewe, na waandishi wengine wakaongeza baadhi ya sehemu katika miaka iliyofuata baadaye. Kwa mfano, ni vigumu kufikiria kwamba Musa angeweza kuwa aliandika aya kama ya Hesabu 12:3, mahali ambapo unyenyekevu wake mwenyewe ulisifiwa.
Katika safari yao ya jangwani, wana wa Israeli walinung’unika na kumuasi Mungu mara kadhaa. Kutokana na vitendo vyao hivyo, waliadhibiwa. Mfano mmoja wa jambo hili ni wakati wana wa Israeli walipoogopa na kulalamika kwamba Wakanaani walikuwa na nguvu sana kuliko wao (Hesabu 14:1-4). Kutokana na tendo hili, Mungu alisema kwamba kizazi chote cha watu kingekufa kabla wana wa Israeli hawajaingia ndani ya nchi ya ahadi. Ilifikia hata Musa mwenyewe akakosa kumtii Mungu, na kutokana na hili hata yeye hakuweza kuingia ndani ya nchi ya ahadi. Japokuwa watu waliasi, lakini Mungu aliendelea kuwalinda. Wakati maadui wa watu wa Israeli walipomkodisha nabii wa kipagani aliyeitwa Balaamu atamke laana juu ya watu wa Israeli, Mungu alimruhusu tu atamke baraka juu yao (Hesabu 22-24).
Mhutasari wa Yaliyomo:
1. Sura 1 hadi 10:11 zimebeba habari zinazohusisha sensa ya wana wa Israeli, pia kuna mpangilio wa kambi yao ulivyokuwa, majukumu ya makuhani, na matoleo yaliyokusanywa kutoka katika kila kabila wakati madhabahu na hema la ibada vilipowekwa wakfu.
2. Baada ya hapo kitabu cha Hesabu kinaelezea safari ya Watu wa Israeli kupitia jangwani, katika sura 10:12 hadi 25.
3. Sura 26 hadi 36 inaelezea sensa ya pili na maelezo mengine kwa ajili ya taifa la Israeli. Hii ni pamoja na majina ya sehemu ambako watu wa Israeli waliweka kambi wakiwa safarini kuelekea katika nchi ya ahadi, na jinsi ambavyo nchi hiyo ingegawanywa kati ya makabila yote watakapokuwa wameingia ndani ya nchi yao wenyewe.
Introduction to Malachi (Pioneer Bible Translators)
(Pioneer Bible Translators and The Word for the World use the following introduction in many of their translation projects around the world.)
This book contains the prophecies of Malachi. Malachi means “my messenger” in Hebrew. For this reason, some scholars believe that Malachi is a title instead of a name. It is used to refer to the prophet in that way in 2:7. The prophecies of this book were intended for the people of Israel after they had returned from captivity in Babylon and had finished rebuilding the temple.
Malachi’s prophecies contain several disputes between God and the people of Israel. In them, God shows how the Israelites were unfaithful by doing things like offering bad sacrifices (1:8) and marrying women who worshipped idols (2:11). Still there were a few Israelites who repented. Malachi’s prophesy says the day of the Lord’s judgement would come. In that day the righteous will be happy, but the wicked will be burned up.
Outline:
1. Chapter 1:1 introduces the prophecy of Malachi.
2. Chapters 1:2-3:18 contain the disputes between God and the people of Israel.
3. Chapter 4 announces the coming day of the Lord’s judgement.
This work is owned by Pioneer Bible Translators International and The World for the World International and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License .
Translation: French
Introduction à Malachie
Ce livre contient les prophéties de Malachie. Malachie signifie « mon messager » en hébreu. Pour cette raison quelques experts croient que Malachie est un titre plutôt qu’un nom. Le prophète est appelé « messager » en 2.7. Les prophéties de ce livre étaient destinées au peuple d’Israël après leur retour de la captivité à Babylone, lorsqu’ ils avaient fini de reconstruire le temple.
Les prophéties de Malachie contiennent plusieurs disputes entre Dieu et le peuple d’Israël. Par exemple, Dieu montre que les Israelites étaient infidèles en faisant des choses comme offrir des bêtes chétives comme sacrifices (1.8) et épouser des femmes qui vénéraient des idoles (2.11). Mais il restait des Israelites qui se sont repentis. La prophétie de Malachie dit que le jour du jugement du Seigneur viendra. Dans ce jour-là les justes seront heureux mais les méchants seront brûlés.
Résumé de Malachie
1. Le chapitre 1.1 introduit la prophétie de Malachie.
2. Les chapitres 1.2 – 3.18 contiennent les disputes entre Dieu et le peuple d’Israël.
3. Le chapitre 3:19-24 annonce la venue du jour du jugement du Seigneur.
Translation: Swahili
Utangulizi kwa Malaki
Kitabu hiki kina unabii wa Malaki. Malaki inamaanisha "mjumbe wangu" kwa Kiebrania. Kwa sababu hii, wasomi wengine wanaamini kuwa Malaki ni cheo badala ya jina. Inatumika kumtaja nabii kwa njia hiyo katika 2:7. Unabii wa kitabu hiki ulikusudiwa watu wa Israeli baada ya kurudi kutoka utumwani Babeli na kumaliza kujenga tena hekalu.
Unabii wa Malaki una migogoro kadhaa kati ya Mungu na watu wa Israeli. Ndani yao, Mungu anaonyesha jinsi Waisraeli walivyokuwa wasio waaminifu kwa kufanya mambo kama kutoa dhabihu mbaya (1:8) na kuoa wanawake walioabudu sanamu (2:11). Bado kulikuwa na Waisraeli wachache waliotubu. Unabii wa Malaki unasema siku ya hukumu ya Bwana ingekuja. Siku hiyo wenye haki watafurahi, lakini waovu watateketezwa.
Muhtasari:
1. Sura ya 1: 1 inatambulisha unabii wa Malaki.
2. Sura 1: 2-3: 18 zina migogoro kati ya Mungu na watu wa Israeli.
3. Sura ya 4 inatangaza siku inayokuja ya hukumu ya Bwana.