Language-specific Insights

complete verse (John 21:23)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 21:23:

  • Uma: “From there, news spread to the followers of Yesus that said that that disciple would not die. But-actually that was not what Yesus had said. Rather [it was] thus: ‘If it is my will that he live continually until I come again, it is not necessary for you (sing.) to know.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then the story became widely known among all the disciples of Isa that this disciple would not die. But for-sure, Isa did not hep say that he would not die. He only said, that if for example he wanted that this disciple of his lived until he comes back to the world, it was none of Petros’s business.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The story spread to all the believers that that disciple would not die. However Jesus did not say that that believer would not die, because what he said was, ‘If I desire that he is still alive at my return, you have nothing to do with that.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “On-account-of this that Jesus said, those who believed in him reported-from-one-to-another that that-aforementioned disciple would not die. But that’s not what Jesus meant to say, because he had only said, ‘Even if I want him to live until I return, that’s none of your (sing.) business.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well because of that which he said, it spread all around their brother believers that that disciple wouldn’t die. However Jesus hadn’t in fact said that he wouldn’t die, but on the contrary he only said, ‘If I want that he is alive until my return, what concern is it of yours?'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “When went out the word among the other believers that this learner would not die. Rather he said, ‘If I want him to live here until I return, what does it matter to you?'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

complete verse (John 21:24)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 21:24:

  • Uma: “That disciple is the one who saw all that happened, and who says his testimony. He is the one who writes this letter. And we (incl.) know the truth of his words.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “The disciple of Isa whom this was said of, he is the one telling about these happenings and he is also the one who has written all this. And we (excl.) know that what he says is true.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “I am that disciple he was talking about. I am the one who testifies that all of this is true. I am the one who wrote all of this, and we (excl.) know that what I write is true.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I am the very disciple that Jesus was talking-about there. I confirm/verify that what is written here is true, because I am the very one who wrote-it, and we (excl.) know that everything that is here is true.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well, this same disciple who was following after Jesus and Pedro, he is testifying to all of this concerning Jesus. He also is the one who wrote these things. We(excl.) really know that this which he is testifying is true.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “This one is the learner who testifies to the truth of this word and wrote here on this paper what he said. And we know that what he says is true.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

complete verse (John 21:25)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 21:25:

  • Ojitlán Chinantec: “If all that he did should be written, I am of the opinion that the books wouldn’t even all fit in the whole world here.”
  • Huehuetla Tepehua: ” . . . If all of them, all things were all written, no doubt they wouldn’t be able to be contained in this world, the writings where it was written what Jesus did.”
  • Aguaruna: “But writing each one, there wouldn’t be a place to put the paper here in this world.”
  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “If all of them were written one by one, there would be an extremely great number of books.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Uma: “There are still many other [things] that Yesus did. If for example everything that he did was written in books, I think that even if the whole world were-used-to-store-them-in, they probably could not fit, because there would be very many books.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Isa has done very many other deeds that are not written. If they were all written in a holy-book, I figure all the holy-books that would have to be written would not fit here into the world.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Jesus did many other things. If all of them were written down, even the whole world would not be big enough to hold the books that would be written.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “There are admittedly many more-things that Jesus did. If they were all to be written, even the entire world, it would perhaps not be-able-to-contain the many-books in which they were written.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “There are other and many more things which Jesus did. Supposing they were all written, I am sure that the whole world which is here under the heavens wouldn’t be able to contain the number of books in which they would be written.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Jesus did many other things which if I had written down on paper each one, I suppose the earth wouldn’t hold the books that I would have written.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

complete verse (Acts 1:1)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 1:1:

  • Uma: “Teofilus that is honored: In my first book, I already wrote all that Yesus did and taught, beginning from the first of his work,” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “This letter is from Lukas to Teopilus. Sir Teopilus, in my first letter, I told you all that Isa did and taught since he began his work,” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “My dear brother Theophilus: In my first accounting to you I wrote all that Jesus did and taught starting from the first time that he taught” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “My-esteemed Teofilus, In the first book that I wrote, I related all that Jesus did and taught” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Respected Teopilo,That which I wrote first, it tells concerning the many things done and taught by the Lord/Chief Jesus, from his starting to teach,” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

complete verse (Acts 1:2)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 1:2:

  • Uma: “until the day arrived of his being lifted going to heaven. After he was killed and brought back alive, many times he appeared to his apostles, so that they would clearly know that he lived again. During forty days, they indeed saw him and he taught them of God’s purpose of lifting mankind from the punishment of their sins and making them his people in his Kingdom. Before he left going to heaven, with authority of the Holy Spirit he placed [i.e., gave] his commands to those apostles of his whom he had chosen.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “until the day he was caused to ascend to heaven. Before he ascended, he instructed the people he had chosen and commissioned to proclaim/preach the good news. Those instructions of his were from the Holy Spirit.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “until he was taken up by God to heaven. When Jesus was killed and rose again, there were many ways in which he showed his apostles proof that he was raised from the dead. For within forty days from that time he was always appearing to them. He taught them the ruling of God. Before he was taken up to heaven, he taught by means of the power of the Holy Spirit that which he wanted them to do to the apostles whom he had chosen before.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “from when-he-began to teach until his being-raised to heaven. When he died and-then lived again, he appeared to those whom he chose as apostles, and he did many things so-that they would thoroughly come-to-know that he lived again. Forty days went by during which he was appearing to them and was teaching them concerning God’s ruling. He also commanded them that which the Ispirito Santo (Holy Spirit) had-him-tell.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “until the day when he was caused to return to heaven/sky, after finishing the things he said to those disciples whom he had chosen, instructing them what they were to do through the strength of the Espiritu Santo.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Morelos Nahuatl: “He continued until when God took him to heaven. Before he went to heaven Jesus chose his 12 servants. The Holy Spirit helped Jesus to give commands to them.”
  • Eastern Highland Otomi; “And I told you all Jesus did until he went to heaven. When He lived here on earth the Holy Spirit of God told Jesus what to tell the apostles to do. The apostles are the ones Jesus had chosen.” (Source for this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

complete verse (Acts 1:3)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 1:3:

  • Uma: “until the day arrived of his being lifted going to heaven. After he was killed and brought back alive, many times he appeared to his apostles, so that they would clearly know that he lived again. During forty days, they indeed saw him and he taught them of God’s purpose of lifting mankind from the punishment of their sins and making them his people in his Kingdom. Before he left going to heaven, with authority of the Holy Spirit he placed [i.e., gave] his commands to those apostles of his whom he had chosen.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “After his death, during forty days Isa often hep appeared to the persons/people he had commissioned. There were many signs which he showed (to prove) that he was really alive. They saw him and he spoke to them about the rule of God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “until he was taken up by God to heaven. When Jesus was killed and rose again, there were many ways in which he showed his apostles proof that he was raised from the dead. For within forty days from that time he was always appearing to them. He taught them the ruling of God. Before he was taken up to heaven, he taught by means of the power of the Holy Spirit that which he wanted them to do to the apostles whom he had chosen before.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “from when-he-began to teach until his being-raised to heaven. When he died and-then lived again, he appeared to those whom he chose as apostles, and he did many things so-that they would thoroughly come-to-know that he lived again. Forty days went by during which he was appearing to them and was teaching them concerning God’s ruling. He also commanded them that which the Ispirito Santo (Holy Spirit) had-him-tell.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “As for those disciples of his, they are the ones meant by apostles. And from when Jesus was killed and came alive again till his returning to heaven, for the space of forty days he was always/often coming to see them. Many were the evidences which he showed that he truly was alive again, and he was still teaching them concerning the kingdom of God.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “Jesus saw suffering and died. When he had risen from the dead, he went to where the disciples were. The disciples saw that he lived again. And he showed them many works so that they could know that he lived. Forty days he lived with them, the disciples, after he had risen. He told them of the work that God does, the big chief.”
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “They saw Jesus; he appeared to them all alive after he had suffered and died. He did many things to show that it was true that he was really alive. They saw him repeatedly, he appeared to them until it completed 40 days, and always he was telling them what it is like where God rules.” (Source for this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

complete verse (Acts 1:4)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 1:4:

  • Uma: “One time, while he was meeting with them, he gave them this command. He said to them: ‘Don’t leave Yerusalem yet. For now wait here until my Father gives you what he promised, what I said to you previously.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Once while they were gathered, he instructed them, he said, ‘Do not depart yet (dahu’) from Awrusalam. You wait first for what my Father promised which I told you about.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And one day when they were gathered together he said to them, ‘Do not go away from here, from the town of Jerusalem, but rather wait until (the end of the time) you are not yet given that which our father God promised. I told you about this before.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “One-time when they were gathered-together, Jesus commanded them, ‘Juan, he baptized people with water, but in-the-future you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Therefore do not leave here in Jerusalem but rather wait for the Holy Spirit who will be given-as-a-gift (lit. gifted) to you, because he is the one whom I told you before that my Father promised.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Once when the apostles were gathered together, Jesus commanded that they were not to leave Jerusalem yet. He said, ‘Wait for what the Father promised, which I have already told you.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Morelos Nahuatl: “While he was still with them he ordered them not to go from Jerusalem. He said: ‘Wait until the word happens which our Father God spoke in time past. I have already told you about that.'”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “During the time that he was still with these apostles, he told them: ‘Don’t leave the city of Jerusalem. Wait until the day comes when what God the Father established about his Holy Spirit descending will be fulfilled. It was about this I spoke to you in former days.'”
  • Lalana Chinantec:” When he was living with his sent ones, Jesus said: ‘Don’t go out of the town of Jerusalem. Stay put. Because it is necessary that you wait for the Great Spirit whom God my Father will send as I have told you. Because God my Father says that he will send you his Great Spirit.'” (Source for this and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

complete verse (Acts 1:5)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 1:5:

  • Uma: “For Yohanes baptized with water, But in just a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Yahiya, it was water hep which he baptized/bathed the people with. But you, (the thing/element) for-bathing/baptizing you will be different. Some days from now, (lit. passing how many days) the Holy Spirit will be sent to you.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “During the time of John, water is what he used to baptize people, but a few days from now, what your baptism will be is that everyone of you will be indwelt by the Holy Spirit.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “One-time when they were gathered-together, Jesus commanded them, ‘Juan, he baptized people with water, but in-the-future you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Therefore do not leave here in Jerusalem but rather wait for the Holy Spirit who will be given-as-a-gift (lit. gifted) to you, because he is the one whom I told you before that my Father promised.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “For water was what Juan baptized with in the past, but as for you, the Espiritu Santo is what you will be baptized with before long, for he will enter-to-indwell your body.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)