Laodicea

The name that is transliterated as “Laodicea” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a combinations of depictions of architectural structures left over from the church of Laodicea (see here ) and of “people of justice” (the meaning of the name). (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Laodicea” in Libras (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Laodicea .

complete verse (Colossians 4:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of Colossians 4:13:

  • Uma: “I myself witness(ed) how hard he worked/works for you who are in Kolose, and-also [lit., until] our relatives who are in Laodikia and Hierapolis also.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “I can really bear testimony that he truly works very hard for your good and for the good of the ones trusting Isa there in the place of Laodikea and the place of Hirapolis.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The reason I tell you this is because I want that you should know that the word of Epaphras has been very great, so that you might be bettered. And not only you, but also those believers in the town of Laodiciea and in the town of Hierapolis.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I will confirm that he is industrious in working for you and for them also in Laodicea and Hierapolis.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “I am testifying that the perseverance of this Epafras on your behalf is really big and on behalf also of the believers in/from Laodicea and Hierapolis.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Concerning this Epaphras, I testify that he very much put his heart into praying to God for you and also the people who live in the city of Laodicea and also those who live in the city of Hierapolis. All of them he prays for.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Colossians 4:13

This added praise of Epaphras makes it appear that he had been criticized for neglecting his work. Hard work translates polun ponon “much toil”; later manuscripts have zēlon “zeal” (see King James Version). I can personally testify to his hard work for you may be translated as “I myself am able to tell you about the way in which he has worked hard for you” or “I myself have seen how he has worked hard for you.” Hard work for you may be rendered as “work hard in order to help you.”

Hierapolis was about 20 kilometers northwest of Colossae. Hierapolis, Colossae, and Laodicea (see 2.1) were all in the Lycus Valley.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Sung version of Colossians 4

Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).

For more information, see here .