complete verse (Romans 3:14)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 3:14:

  • Uma: “‘Their words are all disparagement and cursing others.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “They always curse their companions.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “They curse people with things that are very painful to hear.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “They are continually showing their hatred and anger in their words.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Only evil they speak against people, never do they speak good.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

For the Old Testament quote, see Psalm 10:7.

Translation commentary on Romans 3:14

This quotation comes from Psalm 10.7.

Their mouths are full of bitter curses may be equivalent in some languages to “they constantly speak bitter curses” or “they fill their mouths with curses which are bitter.”

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 3:14

3:14

Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness: The phrase full of indicates that people do something often. These people were always cursing and they were always bitter. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

their speech is full of cursing and bitterness (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
They only curse and speak bitterly

cursing: This word refers to a person asking God or an evil spirit to cause something bad to happen to another person.

bitterness: This word indicates that the words of these people were resentful, angry, and spiteful. Here are other ways to translate this word:

bitter resentment (God’s Word)
-or-
spite

General Comment on 3:14

These words are similar to the words found in Psalm 10:7.

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