complete verse (Romans 2:19)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 2:19:

  • Uma: “We say/think that we are the ones who are smart to lead-by-the-hand people who don’t know God, we are the ones who can enlighten [lit., make clear] those who are still in the darkness and who do not yet know the true teaching. For it is with us Jews that there is the main knowledge and true teaching that is written in the Lord’s Law.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “You say that you are figuratively the ones who lead the blind. That means you know how to teach about God. You say/think also that it is as if you were a light illuminating the people in darkness, its meaning you know how to carry/influence people towards God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “You think mistakenly that you are the ones who will be able to lead by the hand people whose thinking is blinded. And you suppose also mistakenly that you are the light to illuminate their way going to God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “You have no doubts moreover that you are the right-ones to teach people who are blind concerning God so that their dark minds will be illuminated.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “They say that they are very wise so that they can teach people who might be said to be blind, walking in darkness.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Romans 2:19

In a number of languages an expression such as you are sure that you are a guide for the blind must be rendered as “you confidently say, I am a guide for the blind.” It is possible, however, that the metaphorical expressions guide for the blind and light for those who are in darkness may be wrongly construed by some readers. Accordingly, such phrases can be rendered as similes—for example, “that you can, as it were, serve as a guide for the blind”; and similarly, “to cause light for those whose hearts are in darkness” or “a light for those whose hearts cannot see because of the darkness.” In some instances sure may be rendered idiomatically—for example, “your heart is very strong because you think you are a guide for the blind.” In certain cases an appropriate equivalent is “you tell everyone that you are a guide for the blind.” On the statement you are sure that you are a guide for the blind see Matthew 15.14 and Luke 18.9.

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 .