justice

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is translated as “justice” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that describes the quality or principle of fairness, righteousness, and impartiality in treating other people. A literal back-translation of the signs are “FOLLOW(God is implied) ACTIONS, DECISIONS JUST-RIGHT”. A more idiomatic back-translation would be: “actions and decisions are right/fitting/just in accordance to God’s will.” The movement in the signs itself helps to indicate that this is a noun, not a verb. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Justice” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

complete verse (Micah 7:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Micah 7:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “Those people are discussing about doing sin.
    Leaders and judges are asking for bribes
    the wealthy/powerful are forceful (dictators)
    and then justice/truth gets lost.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Everyone is expert in doing evil.
    Rulers and judges are asking for bribes
    Those who are in power give commands, as they desire.
    In this way they all are in agreement
    in their planning for doing evil.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They are skilled in doing wicked-thing. The leaders and judges accept bribe. And they just follow what the famous and mighty people wanted. They unite in twisting justice.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Micah 7:3

This verse has certain textual difficulties in the Hebrew. Some scholars feel it is incomplete as it stands (see Jerusalem Bible). But even if this is true, the general sense is fairly clear. Revised Standard Version understands this verse in essentially the same way as Good News Translation. The people are all experts at doing evil. Evil actions are the kind that they like to do, and that they do well. Those in the positions of authority, the officials and judges, do not do their work normally but ask for bribes. (Compare 3.9-11. Translation of “bribes” is discussed in 3.11.)

Justice is ignored, because the influential man tells those in authority what he wants, and so they scheme together to get it done. The phrase scheme together is literally “weave … together” (Revised Standard Version), and some translators may be able to retain this figurative use of “weave.” The influential man means “the important man” or “the man with power.” He would usually be a rich man, and in some languages it may be necessary to translate this way.

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. et al. A Handbook on Micah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1978, 1982, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .