Language-specific Insights

complete verse (John 1:6)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:6:

  • Uma: “A man arrived/came who was sent by God, Yohanes the Baptizer his name.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “So-then, there was a person commissioned by God, his name was Yahiya.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “There was a man named John whom God sent.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “There was a person whom God sent who was named Juan.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “There was someone caused-to-be-born/caused-to-be-a-person by God who was named Juan.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “God sent a man named John.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now(discourse) there was a person sent by God. His name is Juan.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Mairasi: “A person came at Above-One’s command. His name was Yohanis (The Water Washer). ” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Bariai: “God sent a man to come whose name was Ioanes.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Kupsabiny: “A person whom God sent came. That person was called John.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)

complete verse (John 1:7)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:7:

  • Uma: “Upon Yohanes’s arrival, / When Yohanes arrived, he became/was a witness who spread that light to all people, so that they would all hear his witness and believe in that light.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “He was commanded by God to come here to tell about this light, in order that all people could hear what he said and believe/obey.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The reason God sent this John was so that he might teach people that Jesus Christ is that true light, and by means of that teaching it would be possible for all mankind to believe.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “God sent him to go confirm/verify to the many-people concerning the light in order that all people would believe koma on-account-of what he confirmed.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “He was caused-to-be-a-person so that he could testify about this light, so that this one referred to as the light would be understood-about and believed-in/obeyed by all people.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “He sent him to tell the people about the Son of God. He wanted that all the people believe in him who can open the hearts of the people.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He was sent by God to-tell who is the light, so-that through his telling all people will-believe.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Mairasi: “He himself came to testify, he gave us testimony about that Light over there, so that all the people would believe this Light.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Bariai: “That man came and so made talk about that light. And so he wanted all people to listen to his talk in order for them to believe in it.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Kupsabiny: “John came to show the people that light, so that they may believe (it).” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)

complete verse (John 1:8)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:8:

  • Uma: “Yohanes, it was not he who was that light. The reason he came was to spread that light to all people.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Yahiya was not this light. But his mission/purpose for coming here was to tell about the light.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for this John, he is not the one who is that light, but rather he is the one who explains who the light is.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Juan was not the light itself, but rather the one who came to confirm/verify concerning the light.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “It isn’t that he was the one who was the light. He was caused-to-be-a-person because he would be testifying about this light.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “John is not that one who opens the hearts of the people.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Ojitlán Chinantec: “John was not the one who illuminates people. He came to point out that one.”
  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “It wasn’t John who brought light, but rather he came speaking about the person who brings light for mankind.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Hiligaynon: “Juan was not the light, but-rather he came/arrived to tell who is the light.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Mairasi: “He himself was not that Light. But for the purpose of testifying about that Light he came.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Bariai: “He wasn’t that light, but he came to expound talk about that light.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Kupsabiny: “John came and told the people concerning/about that light, but that light was not him.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)

See also this devotion on YouVersion .

complete verse (John 1:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:9:

  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “The light of God has arrived in this world, to enter into the hearts of mankind; and it shines for all of them.”
  • Huehuetla Tepehua: “The one who is the true one, who can give understanding, came here to this earth. He gives understanding to the minds of all men.”
  • Alekano: “The father of light, who enlightens the people all over, appeared and remained on earth.”
  • Lalana Chinantec: “The rays of the real Light were beginning to shine, causing the path on which all men walk to become lit.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Uma: “That Word, He was the true light that shone on the hearts of all people, He arrived in the world.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “This true light, that means the Word, has come here already to the world giving light to the thoughts/minds of all mankind.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “At that time Christ arrived here on the earth, that true light. He is the one who illumines the minds of all mankind.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The proper/real light, it was the one who came to the earth to go illuminate (the particle ‘go’ is commonly used with verbs of motion such as ‘come’) the minds of all people.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “That one who really is this light, who gives light to all people, he was now arriving here under the heavens/sky.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “That one who came to the earth is truly the one who opens the hearts of the people.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jesus-Christ is the one who is the true light that arrived here in the world and lightens/enlightens the mind/thinking of all the people.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Mairasi: “That is the true Light which already arrived in this world to brighten people.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Bariai: “And the true light which gives light to all people, that’s just was descended and came to the earth.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Kupsabiny: “That light of truth came to the world so that it could bring light to every person.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)

complete verse (John 1:10)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:10:

  • Uma: “He is the one who was-used-as-a-hand by God to create this world. But when he arrived in the world, the people in the world did not know him.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But even though the Word is already here in the world and the world hep was created by him, the Word was not known/recognized by the people in the world.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Now Christ arrived on the earth. By means of him the earth was created; but mankind did not recognize who he was.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But even though he was in this world and God created all that is here through him, people nevertheless didn’t recognize him.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well he truly came, and he lived here on earth. But well, even though he was the one who created people, yet they didn’t recognize/acknowledge him.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “This one, the Son of God, lived here on the earth. Even though he made the earth, the people didn’t know who he was.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Aguaruna: “He made the world. Having done that, he lived here in this world, but the ones from this world didn’t recognize him as Christ.”
  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “The person who is the Word was present in the world; and even though he made the world, the people in the world didn’t realize who he was.”
  • Lalana Chinantec: “He was living in the world but the people of the world never came to know who he was, even though he is the one who made the world.” (Source for this and two above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Hiligaynon: “He arrived here in the world. And even-though the world was made through him, the people of the world did- not -know/recognize him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Mairasi: “He Himself lived in this world, and He Himself made this world by Himself, but this world did not recognize Him.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Bariai: “He was living on earth. By him, God made everything on earth. Yet the people of the earth didn’t know him.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Kupsabiny: “That Word came to the world that was created through him, but the world didn’t know who he was.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)

complete verse (John 1:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:11:

  • Lalana Chinantec: “He came back to his place, but they didn’t accept the Owner of the place where they were living.”
  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “He was born among us who are of his nation, and nearly all of us, his fellow countrymen, didn’t believe in him.”
  • Aguaruna: “He arrived at his own place but his relatives did not welcome him.”
  • Ojitlán Chinantec: “He came to the earth, his land, but his countrymen did not receive him.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Uma: “He arrived in his own town, but his fellow townspeople did not want to receive him.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “He came here to his place/country but he was not received by his tribe.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Even though he came to his own towns, there were not many of his companions there who accepted him.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “He came to his country/town, and his countrymen didn’t receive/accept him either.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “He came here to the nation he had chosen, but even they, these people he had chosen as his own, they didn’t receive him.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “He lived in his own land. But the inhabitants didn’t look favorably upon him.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He went to his own countrymen/townmates, but the majority of them did not receive him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Mairasi: “He Himself came to His own place, but His own kinsmen did not receive Him.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Bariai: “He went to his village of origin, yet his people didn’t receive him.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Kupsabiny: “He came to his world but people refused to welcome (him),” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)

complete verse (John 1:12)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:12:

  • Alekano: “He showed the way to the ones who loved him so that they could become God’s people. He did that to the ones who believed concerning him.”
  • Lalana Chinantec: “But there were some who did accept him, who believed on him. They are the ones who were given authority to become the sons of God.”
  • Uma: “But whoever received him and believed in Him, he gave them authority [lit., seat] to become children of God.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But whoever receives/received the Word and believes/believed in him, he gives/gave them authority to become children of God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “However, anyone who did receive and believe in him, he gave them the right so that they might become the children of God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But there were however some who received (him) who were the ones who believed in him. It was to them that he gave the right to become children of God.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But there were indeed people who believed-in/obeyed and trusted-in/relied-on him. These ones, he gave them the authority/right to be able to be regarded as children of God.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “But all those who looked favorably upon him and believed that he is the savior were given the permission to become the children of God.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But whoever received and believed in him he gave the right to become a child of God.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Mairasi: “But they themselves who received Him all received power with the result that they themselves become children Belonging to Above-One, specifically those people who believe His Name:” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Bariai: “But whoever (pl.) received him and believed in him, they’re the very ones whom he allowed to become God’s children.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Kupsabiny: “but there are some people who welcomed and entrusted themselves to him. He accepted/allowed those people to become children of God.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)

complete verse (John 1:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:13:

  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “They are his children, not because they were born physically, and not because a man lusted after a woman, and not because a man wanted to have children. God made them his children.”
  • Huichol: “Their origin is not the ordinary human birth, nor is it a matter of attraction between their parents in the usual human way, nor is it a matter of a man wanting to form a posterity. . . . ” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Uma: “They did not become children of God because of their parents, also not from the power of man, or from marriage / mating. God himself made them his children.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “They are made children of God not like men come-into-being or from the will/wish of men/mankind or from the desire of mankind. But they are made children of God from the will of God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “The way by which they became children of God was not the way of bearing children here on the earth, because they were not at that time born by means of the procreation of an earthly father, but rather their father is God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Their becoming children of God, it was not in-a-human-manner (connotes sinful, limited humanity), because it didn’t originate-from the sleeping-together of a married-couple and their purpose to have children, but rather it originated-from God’s power.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “It’s not that they got to be children of God because they were given birth to by God like human giving-birth or because of the nature/ways or will of a married-couple, but on the contrary they became-children/were-adopted through the will of God.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “To become children of God doesn’t mean that they live anew like the children of people are born, or that some person wanted it thus. Only it is that God caused them to be his children.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They became children of God not by-means-of bodily birth nor the will of person/people, but by-means-of the will of God. ” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Mairasi: “specifically those people were not born from blood, not from flesh, and Furthermore not from bodies, or not from a male person’s desire, but those who were born from Above-One.” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Bariai: “They didn’t become God’s children by their mothers’ and fathers’ blood, and not [by] the desire of our (incl.) bodies, and not [by] any person’s desire either. But God alone made them to become his children.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Kupsabiny: “Those people didn’t become children of God in the way a person wants a child or in the way a child is born, but it is God alone who makes those people to be his children.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)