complete verse (Psalm 109:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 109:18:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “He clothed cursing like a cloth;
    cursing entered in his body like water,
    entering in his bones like oil.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “For him cursing is like wearing clothes.
    Curses fill (him) like water (fills) his stomach,
    and they come into his bones like oil.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “He does- not -cease to-curse others; it seems that this (is) now garment that he wears.
    May-it-be that his curse will-return to him like water that enters into his body or like oil that soaks/penetrates to his bones.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “He wears a curse like his clothes,
    the curse enters his body like water,
    the curse enters his bones like oil” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Alikuvaa kulaani kama vile nguo,
    laana iingie ndani mwake kama maji,
    katika mifupa yake kama vile mafuta.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “He cursed other people as often/ easily as he put on his clothes;
    cause that the terrible things that he wanted to happen to others will happen to him and
    enter his body like water that he drinks,
    like olive oil soaks into a person’s bones when it is rubbed on his skin.” (Source: Translation for Translators)