complete verse (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 14:40:

  • Uma: “All must be done according to a way that is fitting and according to the steps/order.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “All your doing in your gathering should just be good/orderly.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “it’s necessary that you very carefully make your activity proper when you gather together to worship.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “See that all that is done in your congregation, it is proper and orderly.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But also do all things in a proper and orderly way.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:40

Decently: Paul uses a word closely related to those translated by Good News Bible as “right” in 7.35 and “beautiful” in 12.24. “Proper” (Good News Bible) is probably better than Revised Standard Version‘s decently.

One may translate this verse as follows:
• “You must do everything in a proper and orderly way.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Corinthians 14:40

14:40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

But do everything in an appropriate and ordered manner.
-or-
And all your (plur.) ⌊worship⌋ must be proper and organized well.

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