The Greek that is often translated as “very religious” in English is translated in San Mateo del Mar Huave as “”greatly honor the gods,” in Teutila Cuicatec as “strongly believe in your gods,” in Highland Popoluca as “very much worshipping your gods,” and in Palantla Chinantec “very much remember your gods.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
Paul (icon)
Following is a Russian Orthodox icon of Paul the Apostle from the first quarter of the 18th century (found in Kizhi monastery, Karelia, Russia).
Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )
complete verse (Acts 17:22)
Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 17:22:
- Uma: “From there, Paulus stood up in front of those gathered on Areopagus Mountain and he said: ‘Atena people! I see that in all your behavior you are very religious.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “Then Paul stood up in front of the councilors and he said, ‘You men/people of Aten, I have observed that you are really very religious.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Paul stood up before the court of Areopagus and he said, ‘As for you Athenians, I understand that you are very faithful to your beliefs.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “Then Pablo stood-up in-front-of them and said, ‘You from-Athens, I know (deference particle) that you are thorough/careful in worshipping your gods,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “Therefore Pablo stood up in the presence of that crowd gathered there at the Areopago and began to speak. He said, ‘You taga Atenas, I really am observing that you here are devoutly-worshipful people.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)