complete verse (Romans 15:23)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 15:23:

  • Uma: “But at this time, my work around here is done. So, since for years I have wanted to go visit you,” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But now because my work is finished here in the places here, I think/estimate I am able to go there to you (pl.). For a long time I have wanted to go there to visit you.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And now that I have finished my work here in these towns, and because it’s been a long time now that I’ve been thinking about coming there to you,” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But now I have finished my work here, so I plan to stop-by there when I go to Espanya, because here it has been how many years that I have strongly-desired to see you. I expect then that when I have satisfied-my-missing-you, you will be able to help me so that I can continue-on to go to Espanya.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But now I can go. Because now I have completed telling the word in the parts around here. The years have really passed since I decided that I would go to where you live to see you.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Romans 15:23

This verse introduces the reason why Paul can now visit Rome; he has finished his work in these regions (where Christ has not been heard of). I have finished my work is more literally “no longer having a place” (see King James Version). To translate literally leaves the meaning unclear, and so the Revised Standard Version supplies a noun phrase to help the reader: “since I no longer have any room for work.” The New English Bible is vague “I have no further scope (in these parts)”; An American Translation* renders “there is no more work for me.” I have finished my work may be rendered simply as “I have done what I should do.” In these regions may simply be rendered as “here where I am.”

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 .