peace (inner peace)

The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is usually translated into English as “peace,” when referring to one’s inner peace, is (back-) translated with a variety of idioms and phrases:

In American Sign Language it is signed with a compound sign consisting of “become” and “silent.” (Source: Yates 2011, p. 52)


“Peace” in American Sign Language (source )

See also peace (absence of strife) and this devotion on YouVersion and this one on Bible Gateway .

complete verse (Romans 12:18)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 12:18:

  • Uma: “If it is possible, we must exert effort to find a way to get along with all people.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “As far as you can, don’t really fight/quarrel with anyone, but you ought to be in-harmony with all people.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Do whatever you can do so that your situation is peaceful, and no one is angry with you.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Do your best (lit. your ability) to get-along-with all people, if possible.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Search for how you can be friends with all people, inasmuch as you are able. Earnestly avoid quarreling.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Chicahuaxtla Triqui: “Do well in proportion as you are able to do well. Then you will be able to get on well with all people.” (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)

Translation commentary on Romans 12:18

On your part may be rendered as “insofar as it depends on you” or “so far as it is possible to you.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 12:18

12:18a

If it is possible: This phrase indicates that it is not always possible to be at peace with other people. Someone might be an enemy to you no matter what you do or say. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

If possible (English Standard Version)
-or-
As much as possible (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Whenever you can

on your part: This phrase refers to what you say and what you do. You should not, on purpose, break the peace with those words and deeds. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

as far as it depends on you (English Standard Version)
-or-
to the utmost of your ability (New Jerusalem Bible)

12:18b

live at peace: This phrase refers to living in a way that you are at peace with others, that is, no fighting or angry arguments.

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.