complete verse (2 Peter 1:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Peter 1:13:

  • Uma: “For I know that my appointed-day-of-death [lit., yes-thing] is about to arrive, like our Lord Yesus Kristus told me. So, as long as I am still living, it is fitting that I keep on saying my words to fire up your heart and remind you of all this.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “I think it is fitting for me to remind you about these (things) while I am still living.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “For while I am still here on the earth, it is good if I can let you hear these things so that you will not forget them.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “My opinion is, it is right/good if I do that now while I am still alive.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “For I’m sure it’s good that I am always/often awakening you concerning these things, as long as I am still alive.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “As long as I live, I think it good that I exhort you to listen to this word.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 2 Peter 1:13

I think it right includes the two elements of rightness and duty; so Jerusalem Bible has “I am sure it is my duty,” and Phillips has “I consider it my duty.”

As long as I am in this body is literally “as long as I am in this tent,” as the Revised Standard Version footnote shows. Two explanations have been given regarding this metaphorical language:

1. The Greek word for “tent” was a popular term for the body, conveying the idea that the body is a temporary dwelling place of the immortal soul, which leaves it after death. Taken in this manner it is another example of the influence of Greek thought within the letter.

2. Another possible background for the metaphor is the nomadic life of God’s people in the Old Testament. During the journeys of the Israelites in the wilderness, they carried tents that they put up whenever they camped.

Whatever the background may be, the whole expression refers to the state of being alive, temporary though it may be, and this can be stated directly in the translation (as in Good News Translation “as long as I am alive”). So, while Peter is still alive, he wants to arouse (New Revised Standard Version “refresh”) the memory of the readers. This is literally “to rouse you up in remembrance.” Some translations give the idea that what is meant here is rousing people up to action by reminding them of some important things (for example, Jerusalem Bible “keep stirring you up with reminders,” and Phillips “to stimulate you by these reminders”). It is more likely, however, that this simply means to refresh the memory, which is what New Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation follow. Other ways of expressing this are “cause you to remember these things” or “cause you to think about these things again.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Second Letter from Peter. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Peter 1:13

1:13

I live in the tent of my body: The Greeks often referred to the body as a “tent,” which is the same as saying that the body is a temporary house for the soul. Here Peter meant simply “while I am still alive.” Unless your language has a similar way of talking about being alive, it will be better if you translate the meaning directly. For example:

as long as I am still alive (Good News Translation)

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