14/04/2024
Before I embarked on the Journey of translating Paul C. Jong books into Igbo language. I can't hardly read or write Igbo. Of course, I can speak and understand well. But I couldn't write or read. But just look at me now, I can read and write Igbo so well, the more I translate the more I become better in the language. It's so amazing, I understand what Apostle Paul meant when he said i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
This Igbo Bible "Bible Nsọ (IGBOB)" (Holy Bible), was said to have been translated by a British missionary Thomas John Dennis in 1913. It was so well translated that I can't stop giving thanks to God for giving us His Word in Igbo language. And this Bible is so influential on Igbo people, that we can recite many of its verses. A lot of scholars and men of renowned have criticized this Bible, so this Igbo Bible has received lots of criticism.
So many rose up to translate a new Bible into Igbo and a new Bible "Baịbụlụ Nsọ n'Igbo Ndị Ugbu a" (Holy Bible in Igbo of today) was then translated many years after this first one was translated. So these two versions of Igbo Bible still co-exist now. But which one is better? Of course, the first one is better.
We can see this clearly by examining Matthew 3:15 and other Bible verses that talks about the gospel of the baptism of Jesus Christ. Let me open Matthew 3:15 "But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him." in the both translations:
In Bible Nsọ:
MATIU 3:15 "Ma Jisus zara, si ya, Kwerem ub͕u a: n'ihi na otú a ka ọ kwesiri ayi imezu ezi omume nile. Mb͕e ahu o kwere Ya."
I will provide word for word translation of this "Kwerem ub͕u a: n'ihi na otú a ka ọ kwesiri ayi imezu ezi omume nile."
It means "Permit me (i.e permit me to be baptized by you) now, for like this (in this way) it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness"
Here "for thus" is translated "n'ihi na otú a" ("because in this way", "because like this"), and "it is fitting" is translated "ka ọ kwesiri" ("it is fitting, it is proper).
Let me open the same verse in new Igbo Bible.
Baịbụlụ Nsọ n'Igbo Ndị Ugbu a:
Matiu 3:15
"Ma Jisọs zara ya sị, “Kwere ka ọ dịrị otu a ugbu a, o kwesiri ka anyị mezuo ezi omume niile.” Mgbe ahụ Jọn kwenyere."
"For thus it is fitting " was completely removed here, and everything was turned upside down. I will provide word for word translation of this “Kwere ka ọ dịrị otu a ugbu a, o kwesiri ka anyị mezuo ezi omume niile"
It means "Permit it to be like this (this way)now, it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness"
Even though all the words appear here, but everything was turned upside down from the original meaning.
This how wrong this translation is. So I decided not to use it in the translation of the Paul C. Jong books.
So friends I want to introduce you to the Igbo version of this book.
"HAVE YOU TRULY BEEN BORN AGAIN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT?" by Paul C. Jong
It's now available in Igbo language on The New Life Mission website:
ÀMUWO GI ỌZỌ N’EZIE SITE NA MIRI NA MỌ NSỌ?
https://www.bjnewlife.org/en/book/bookDetail.php?bidx=1735&part=1&findLang=%E2%80%8BIgbo
