complete verse (2 Timothy 4:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Timothy 4:9:

  • Uma: “Timotius! I request that you quickly come visit me.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Really try hard so that you will soon be-able-to-come-here to me.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Do what you can so that you might soon come here,” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If possible, hurry to come here,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “I’m asking you please, if you have the opportunity I want you to come here soon/quickly.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Listen, Timothy, earnestly endeavor to come quickly here where I am so that we can speak together.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 4:9

It is assumed in the letter that Timothy was in Ephesus and that Paul was in Rome. So now Paul wants Timothy to make every effort to join him in Rome because, except for Luke, everyone had left Paul. For Do your best see 2 Tim 2.15. The verb means “to make every effort.” Soon is literally “quickly,” which in the present context means “in the shortest time possible.” See further on “hasty” in 1 Tim 5.22. In some languages this sentence will be best translated as “You must come to see me as soon as possible.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .