complete verse (Daniel 12:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Daniel 12:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “Many people will be cleansed. But the wicked ones will continue with their evil, and not even one of them will know these things. But the wise ones are the ones who will know.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Many will be cleansed and made pure and without stain. Evil people, however, will continue doing evil work. None of them will understand anything, but those who have wisdom will understand.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Many of those who understand the truth their lives will-be-cleansed, and they can-understand the things that I said. But the wicked will-continue to do wickedness, and they can- not -understand the things that I said.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Many people will thoroughly purify their inner beings. But wicked people will not understand these things. They will continue to be wicked. Only those who are wise will understand these things.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Daniel 12:10

Scholars see this verse as being intentionally structured in a chiastic or “crossed” form (see discussion at the end of 9.4). The elements are in A-B-B′-A′ order but may be better translated as A-A′-B-B′ or B-B′-A-A′. The elements are as follows:

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .