complete verse (Matthew 25:2)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 25:2:

  • Uma: “Five of them were stupid, five of them were wise [lit., had clear hearts].” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Five girls were stupid/slow/dull and five were wise/had deep thoughts.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Five of them were stupid, and the other five were wise.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Five of them were thoughtful/reflective, but the other five weren’t.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Five of them were simple-minded/stupid. Five were thinkers/wise-people.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “These ten girls were five of them foolish, five of them wise.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Matthew 25:2

Foolish translates the same Greek noun used in 5.22.

Wise translates the same Greek word used in 24.45; it was first used in 7.24.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .