Following are a number of back-translations of Philemon 1:15:
- Uma: “That is why I order(ed) him to go [to you], I thought/said that perhaps this short separation of yours (pl.) the Lord is using-as-a-road, so that he will return to you forever.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “Perhaps that is why Onesimus was caused-to-be-separate from you for a short while so that as long as he lives he will be there with you.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Perhaps the purpose of God in Onesimus’s leaving you is: he was taken away from you for a short time so that he might become yours again forever.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “It’s-possible that the reason Onesimus was separated from you (sing.) for a short-while was so that he will return to join you (sing.) forever.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “And another thing, maybe he was separated from you for a short time so that he could return again and stay for always under your authority.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “It seems that it was necessary that your worker left you for a while. Because when he returns, now as a believer he returns and now he will nevermore leave you.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
