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December 25, 2009

Texts, 2009
Posted by Teresa at 12:01 AM * 31 comments

Luke 2:1-14, Anglo-Saxon (via):

Soþlice on þam dagum wæs geworden gebod fram þam casere Augusto, þæt eall ymbehwyrft wære tomearcod. Þeos tomearcodnes wæs æryst geworden fram þam deman Syrige Cirino. And ealle hig eodon, and syndrige ferdon on hyra ceastre. Ða ferde Iosep fram Galilea of þære ceastre Nazareth on Iudeisce ceastre Dauides, seo is genemned Beþleem, for þam þe he wæs of Dauides huse and hirede; þæt he ferde mid Marian þe him beweddod wæs, and wæs geeacnod. Soþlice wæs geworden þa hi þar wæron, hire dagas wæron gefyllede þæt heo cende. And heo cende hyre frumcennedan sunu, and hine mid cildclaþum bewand, and hine on binne alede, for þam þe hig næfdon rum on cumena huse. And hyrdas wæron on þam ylcan rice waciende, and nihtwæccan healdende ofer heora heorda. Þa stod Drihtnes engel wiþ hig, and Godes beorhtnes him ymbe scean; and hi him mycelum ege adredon. And se engel him to cwæð, Nelle ge eow adrædan; soþlice nu ic eow bodie mycelne gefean, se bið eallum folce; for þam to dæg eow ys Hælend acenned, se is Drihten Crist, on Dauides ceastre. And þis tacen eow byð: Ge gemetað an cild hræglum bewunden, and on binne aled. And þa wæs færinga geworden mid þam engle mycelnes heofenlices werydes, God heriendra and þus cweþendra, Gode sy wuldor on heahnesse, and on eorðan sybb mannum godes willan.

Luke 2:1-20, tr. John Wycliffe, 1382 (via)

And it was don in tho daies, a maundement wente out fro the emperour August, that al the world schulde be discryued. :: This firste discryuyng was maad of Cyryn, iustice of Sirie. :: And alle men wenten to make professioun, ech in to his owne citee. :: And Joseph wente vp fro Galilee, fro the citee Nazareth, in to Judee, in to a citee of Dauid, that is clepid Bethleem, for that he was of the hous and of the meyne of Dauid, :: that he schulde knouleche with Marie, his wijf, that was weddid to hym, and was greet with child. :: And it was don, while thei weren there, the daies weren fulfillid, that sche schulde bere child. :: And sche bare hir first borun sone, and wlappide hym in clothis, and leide hym in a cratche, for ther was no place to hym in no chaumbir. :: And scheepherdis weren in the same cuntre, wakynge and kepynge the watchis of the nyyt on her flok. :: And lo! the aungel of the Lord stood bisidis hem, and the cleernesse of God schinede aboute hem; and thei dredden with greet drede. :: And the aungel seide to hem, Nyle ye drede; for lo! Y preche to you a greet ioye, that schal be to al puple. :: For a sauyoure is borun to dai to you, that is Crist the Lord, in the citee of Dauid. :: And this is a tokene to you; ye schulen fynde a yong child wlappid in clothis, and leid in a cratche. :: And sudenli ther was maad with the aungel a multitude of heuenli knyythod, heriynge God, :: and seiynge, Glorie be in the hiyeste thingis to God, and in erthe pees be to men of good wille. :: And it was don, as the aungelis passiden awei fro hem in to heuene, the scheephirdis spaken togider, and seiden, Go we ouer to Bethleem, and se we this word that is maad, which the Lord hath maad, and schewide to vs. :: And thei hiyynge camen, and founden Marie and Joseph, and the yong child leid in a cratche. :: And thei seynge, knewen of the word that was seid to hem of this child. :: And alle men that herden wondriden, and of these thingis that weren seid to hem of the scheephirdis. :: But Marie kepte alle these wordis, berynge togider in hir herte. :: And the scheepherdis turneden ayen, glorifyinge and heriynge God in alle thingis that thei hadden herd and seyn, as it was seid to hem.

Luke 2:1-20, tr. William Tyndale, 1530

And it chaunced in thoose dayes: yt ther went oute a comaundment from Auguste the Emperour that all the woorlde shuld be taxed. :: And this taxynge was ye fyrst and executed when Syrenius was leftenaut in Syria. :: And every man went vnto his awne citie to be taxed. :: And Ioseph also ascended from Galile oute of a cite called Nazareth into Iurie: vnto ye cite of David which is called Bethleem because he was of the housse and linage of David :: to be taxed with Mary his spoused wyfe which was with chylde. :: And it fortuned whyll they were there her tyme was come that she shuld be delyvered. :: And she brought forth her fyrst begotten sonne and wrapped him in swadlynge cloothes and layed him in a manger because ther was no roume for them within in the ynne. :: And ther were in the same region shepherdes abydinge in the felde and watching their flocke by nyght. :: And loo: the angell of ye lorde stode harde by them and the brightnes of ye lorde shone rounde aboute them and they were soare afrayed. :: But the angell sayd vnto them: Be not afrayed. For beholde I bringe you tydinges of greate ioye yt shal come to all ye people: :: for vnto you is borne this daye in the cite of David a saveoure which is Christ ye lorde. :: And take this for a signe: ye hall fynde ye chylde swadled and layed in a mager. :: And streight waye ther was with the angell a multitude of hevenly sowdiers laudynge God and sayinge: :: Glory to God an hye and peace on the erth: and vnto men reioysynge. :: And it fortuned assone as the angels were gone awaye fro them in to heven the shepherdes sayd one to another: let vs goo eve vnto Bethleem and se this thynge that is hapened which the Lorde hath shewed vnto vs. :: And they cam with haste and founde Mary and Ioseph and the babe layde in a mager. :: And when they had sene it they publisshed a brode the sayinge which was tolde them of that chylde. :: And all that hearde it wondred at those thinges which were tolde the of the shepherdes. :: But Mary kept all thoose sayinges and pondered them in hyr hert. :: And the shepherdes retourned praysinge and laudinge God for all that they had herde and sene evyn as it was told vnto them.

Luke 2:1-20, tr. Miles Coverdale, 1535

It fortuned at the same tyme, that there wete out a comaundement fro Augustus the Emperoure, that the whole worlde shulde be taxed. And this taxynge was the first that was executed, whan Syrenius was leftenaunt in Siria. And they wente all, euery one to his owne cite to be taxed. Then Ioseph gat him vp also fro Galile, out of the cite of Nazareth, in to Iewry, to ye cite of Dauid, which is called Bethleem, (because he was of ye house and lynage of Dauid) that he might be taxed wt Mary his spoused wife, which was wt childe. And it fortuned whyle they were there, ye tyme was come, that she shulde be delyuered. And she brought forth hir first begotte sonne, & wrapped him in swadlinge clothes, and layed him in a maunger: for they had els no rowme in the ynne.

And there were in ye same region shepherdes in the felde by the foldes, and watchinge their flocke by night. And beholde, ye angell of the Lorde stode by the, and ye brightnes of the Lorde shone rounde aboute them, and they were sore afrayed. And the angell sayde vnto them: Be not afrayed. Beholde, I brynge you tydiges of greate ioye, which shall happen vnto all people: for vnto you this daye is borne ye Sauioure, eue Christ ye Lorde, in the cite of Dauid. And take this for a token: Ye shal fynde the babe swadled, and layed in a maunger. And straight waye there was by the angell a multitude of heauenly hoostes, which praysed God, and sayde: Glory be vnto God an hye, & peace vpon earth, and vnto men a good wyll.

And it fortuned wha the angels were gone from the in to heaue, the shepherdes sayde one to another: let vs go now euen vnto Bethleem, and se this thinge that is happened, which ye Lorde hath shewed vnto vs. And they came wt haist, & founde both Mary and Ioseph, & the babe layed in ye maunger. And whan they had sene it, they published abrode the sayenge, yt was tolde the of this childe. And all they that herde it, wondred at the wordes, which the shepherdes had tolde them. But Mary kepte all these sayenges, and pondred them in hir hert. And the shepherdes returned, praysinge and laudinge God, for all that they had herde and sene, euen as it was tolde them.

Luke 2:1-14, King James Version, 1611

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, she being great with child.

And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered; and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes; and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: That ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And also:

Luke 2:1-14 - Δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω, και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας
εγενετο δε εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις εξηλθεν δογμα παρα καισαρος αυγουστου απογραφεσθαι πασαν την οικουμενην
    αυτη απογραφη πρωτη εγενετο ηγεμονευοντος της συριας κυρηνιου
    και επορευοντο παντες απογραφεσθαι εκαστος εις την εαυτου πολιν
    ανεβη δε και ιωσηφ απο της γαλιλαιας εκ πολεως ναζαρεθ εις την ιουδαιαν εις πολιν δαυιδ ητις καλειται βηθλεεμ δια το ειναι αυτον εξ οικου και πατριας δαυιδ
    απογραψασθαι συν μαριαμ τη εμνηστευμενη αυτω ουση εγκυω
    εγενετο δε εν τω ειναι αυτους εκει επλησθησαν αι ημεραι του τεκειν αυτην
    και ετεκεν τον υιον αυτης τον πρωτοτοκον και εσπαργανωσεν αυτον και ανεκλινεν αυτον εν φατνη διοτι ουκ ην αυτοις τοπος εν τω καταλυματι
    και ποιμενες ησαν εν τη χωρα τη αυτη αγραυλουντες και φυλασσοντες φυλακας της νυκτος επι την ποιμνην αυτων
    και αγγελος κυριου επεστη αυτοις και δοξα κυριου περιελαμψεν αυτους και εφοβηθησαν φοβον μεγαν
    και ειπεν αυτοις ο αγγελος μη φοβεισθε ιδου γαρ ευαγγελιζομαι υμιν χαραν μεγαλην ητις εσται παντι τω λαω
    οτι ετεχθη υμιν σημερον σωτηρ ος εστιν χριστος κυριος εν πολει δαυιδ
    και τουτο υμιν το σημειον ευρησετε βρεφος εσπαργανωμενον και κειμενον εν φατνη
    και εξαιφνης εγενετο συν τω αγγελω πληθος στρατιας ουρανιου αινουντων τον θεον και λεγοντων
    δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας

(Thank you, Nick Whyte.)

Vulgate: Luke 2:1-14

Factum est autem in diebus illis, exiit edictum a Cæsare Augusto ut describeretur universus orbis. Hæc descriptio prima facta est a præside Syriæ Cyrino: et ibant omnes ut profiterentur singuli in suam civitatem. Ascendit autem et Joseph a Galilæa de civitate Nazareth in Judæam, in civitatem David, quæ vocatur Bethlehem: eo quod esset de domo et familia David, ut profiteretur cum Maria desponsata sibi uxore prægnante. Factum est autem, cum essent ibi, impleti sunt dies ut pareret. Et peperit filium suum primogenitum, et pannis eum involvit, et reclinavit eum in præsepio: quia non erat eis locus in diversorio. Et pastores erant in regione eadem vigilantes, et custodientes vigilias noctis super gregem suum. Et ecce angelus Domini stetit juxta illos, et claritas Dei circumfulsit illos, et timuerunt timore magno. Et dixit illis angelus: Nolite timere: ecce enim evangelizo vobis gaudium magnum, quod erit omni populo: quia natus est vobis hodie Salvator, qui est Christus Dominus, in civitate David. Et hoc vobis signum: invenietis infantem pannis involutum, et positum in præsepio. Et subito facta est cum angelo multitudo militiæ cælestis laudantium Deum, et dicentium: [Gloria in altissimis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis.]

(Thank you, Sisuile.)

Luke 2:14 in Gothic

Warth than in dagans jainans. urrann gagrefts fram kaisara Agustau gameljan allana midjungard. soh than gilstrameleins frumista warth at wisandin kindina Swriais raginondin Saurim Kwreinaiau. jah iddjedun allai ei melidai weseina. hwarjizuh in seinai baurg. urrann than jah Iosef us Galeilaia. us baurg Nazaraith in Iudaian. in baurg Daweidis sei haitada Bethlaihaim duthe ei was us garda fadreinais Daweidis. anameljan mith Mariin. sei in fragiftim was imma qeins. wisandein inkilthon. warth than miththanei. tho wesun jainar. usfullnodedun dagos du bairan izai jah gabar sunu seinana thana frumabaur. jah biwand ina jah galagida ina in uzetin. unte ni was im rumis in stada thamma.

jah hairdjos wesun in thamma samin landa, thairhwakandans jah witandans wahtwom nahts ufaro hairdai seinai. ith aggilus fraujins anaqam ins jah wulthus fraujins biskain ins, jah ohtedun agisa mikilamma. jah qath du im sa aggilus: ni ogeith, unte sai, spillo izwis faheid mikila, sei wairthith allai managein, thatei gabaurans ist izwis himma daga nasjands, saei ist Xristus frauja, in baurg Daweidis. jah thata izwis taikns: bigitid barn biwundan jah galagid in uzetin. jah anaks warth mith thamma aggilau managei harjis himinakundis hazjandane guth jah qithandane:

wulthus in hauhistjam guda
jah ana airthai gawairthi in mannam godis wiljins.

(Thank you, Lisa Spangenberg, a.k.a. the Digital Medievalist; who in turn gives credit to “Jim Marchand, medievalist extraordinaire.”) (see also)

Lowlands Scots

About this time the Emperor Augustus pat furth an edick ordeinin at aa the fowk i the haill warld suid be registrate. This wis whan Quirinius wis Governor o Syria, an it wis the first time at siccan a thing hed been dune. Sae aabodie gaed tae be registrate, ilkane til his ain toun, Joseph amang the lave.

He belanged til the stock an faimlie o Dauvit, an sae it was wis tae Dauvit’s Toun, Bethlehem in Judaea, at he gaed doun frae Nazareth in Galilee for tae gie in his name, takkin Mary, at wis haundfastit til him, wi him. She wis boukin gin this; an whan they war in Bethlehem, she cam til her time an brocht hame her first-born son. She swealed the bairn in a barrie an beddit him in a heck, sin there wis nae room for them intil the inn.

Nou, i that same pairt the war a wheen herds bidin thereout on the hill an keepin gaird owre their hrisel at nicht. Suddent an angel o the Lord cam an stuid afore them, an the glorie o the Lord shined about them, an they war uncolie frichtit. But the angel said tae them: Binna nane afeard, I bring ye guid news o gryte blytheness for the haill fowk—this day in Dauvit’s Town a saviour hes born til ye, Christ the Lord! This gate ye s’ken it is een as I say: ye will finnd a new-born bairn swealed in a barrie an liggin intil a heck.

Syne in a gliff an unco thrang o the airmies o hieven kythed aside the angel, glein laud tae God an liltin:

Glore tae God i the heicht o heiven, an peace on the yird tae men he delytes in!

(Thank you, Lee Sandlin.)

Swedish

(Translation anno 2000)

Vid den tiden utfärdade kejsar Augustus en förordning om att hela världen skulle skattskrivas. Det var den första skattskrivningen, och den hölls när Quirinius var ståthållare i Syrien. Alla gick då för att skattskriva sig, var och en till sin stad. Och Josef, som genom sin härkomst hörde till Davids hus, begav sig från Nasaret i Galileen upp till Judeen, till Davids stad Betlehem, för att skattskriva sig tillsammans med Maria, sin trolovade, som väntade sitt barn. Medan de befann sig där var tiden inne för henne att föda, och hon födde sin son, den förstfödde. Hon lindade honom och lade honom i en krubba, eftersom det inte fanns plats för dem inne i härbärget. I samma trakt låg några herdar ute och vaktade sin hjord om natten. Då stod Herrens ängel framför dem och Herrens härlighet lyste omkring dem, och de greps av stor förfäran. Men ängeln sade till dem: “Var inte rädda. Jag bär bud till er om en stor glädje, en glädje för hela folket. I dag har en frälsare fötts åt er i Davids stad, han är Messias, Herren. Och detta är tecknet för er: ni skall finna ett nyfött barn som är lindat och ligger i en krubba.” Och plötsligt var där tillsammans med ängeln en stor himmelsk här som prisade Gud:

“Ära i höjden åt Gud
och på jorden fred åt dem han har utvalt.”

(Translation anno 1917)

Och det hände sig vid den tiden att från kejsar Augustus utgick ett påbud att hela världen skulle skattskrivas. Detta var den första skattskrivningen, och den hölls, när Kvirinius var landshövding över Syrien. Då färdades alla var och en till sin stad, för att låta skattskriva sig. Så gjorde ock Josef; och eftersom han var av Davids hus och släkt, for han från staden Nasaret i Galileen upp till Davids stad, som heter Betlehem, i Judeen, för att låta skattskriva sig jämte Maria, sin trolovade, som var havande. Medan de voro där, hände sig att tiden var inne, då hon skulle föda. Och hon födde sin förstfödde son och lindade honom och lade honom i en krubba, ty det fanns icke rum för dem i härbärget. I samma nejd voro då några herdar ute på marken och höllo vakt om natten över sin hjord. Då stod en Herrens ängel framför dem, och Herrens härlighet kringstrålade dem; och de blevo mycket förskräckta. Men ängeln sade till dem: »Varen icke förskräckta. Se, jag bådar eder en stor glädje, som skall vederfaras allt folket. Ty i dag har en Frälsare blivit född åt eder i Davids stad, och han är Messias, Herren. Och detta skall för eder vara tecknet: I skolen finna ett nyfött barn, som ligger lindat i en krubba.» I detsamma sågs där jämte ängeln en stor hop av den himmelska härskaran, och de lovade Gud och sade:

»Ära vare Gud i höjden, och frid på jorden,
bland människor till vilka han har behag!»

(Translation anno 1541 - Gustavus Vasa’s bible, translated from Martin Luther’s bible)

Thet begaff sigh j then tijdhen, at aff Keysar Augusto vthgick itt bodh, at all werlden skulle beskattas. Och thenna beskatning war then första, och skeedde vnder then Höffdingen offuer Syrien, Kyrenio. Och the gingo alle hwar vthi sin stadh, til at läta beskatta sigh. Så foor ock Joseph vp aff Galilea, aff then stadhen Nazareth in vthi Judeska landet, til Dauidz stadh, som heter Bethlehem, Ty han war aff Dauidz hws och slecht, på thet han skulle låta beskatta sigh medh Maria sijn troloffuadha hustru, hwilken haffuandes war. Så begaff sigh medhan the woro ther, wordo daghanar fulbordadhe, at hon skulle födha. Och hon födde sin förstfödda Son, och swepte honom j lindaklädher, och ladhe honom nedher j een krubbo, Ty them war icke rwm j herberghena. Och j then samma egnden woro någhre Heerdar, the ther wakadhe och höllo wård om nattena offuer sin hiord. Och sij, Herrans Ängel stoodh när them, och Herrans klarheet kringskeen them, och the wordo stoorligha förfäradhe. Och sadhe Ängelen til them, Warer icke förfäradhe, Sij, iagh bodhar idher stoor glädhi, hwilken allo folckena widerfaras skal, Ty jdagh är idher födder Frelsaren, som är Christus Herren, j Dauidz stadh. Och thetta skal wara idher för tekn. J skole finna Barnet swept j lindaklädher, nedherlagdt j een krubbo. Och strax wardt medh Ängelen itt stoort taal aff then himmelska häärskaran, the ther loffuadhe Gudh, och sadhe, Ära ware Gudh j högden, Och på jordenne fridh, Och menniskiomen en godh wilie.

(Thank you, Mikael Johansson.)

Nederlandse Statenvertaling (1637), Lukas 2:1 - 20

1 En het geschiedde in diezelfde dagen, dat er een gebod uitging van den Keizer Augustus, dat de gehele wereld beschreven zou worden.
2 Deze eerste beschrijving geschiedde, als Cyrenius over Syrie stadhouder was.
3 En zij gingen allen om beschreven te worden, een iegelijk naar zijn eigen stad.
4 En Jozef ging ook op van Galilea, uit de stad Nazareth, naar Judea, tot de stad Davids, die Bethlehem genaamd wordt, (omdat hij uit het huis en geslacht van David was);
5 Om beschreven te worden met Maria, zijn ondertrouwde vrouw, welke bevrucht was.
6 En het geschiedde, als zij daar waren, dat de dagen vervuld werden, dat zij baren zoude.
7 En zij baarde haar eerstgeboren Zoon, en wond Hem in doeken, en legde Hem neder in de kribbe, omdat voor henlieden geen plaats was in de herberg.
8 En er waren herders in diezelfde landstreek, zich houdende in het veld, en hielden de nachtwacht over hun kudde.
9 En ziet, een engel des Heeren stond bij hen, en de heerlijkheid des Heeren omscheen hen, en zij vreesden met grote vreze.
10 En de engel zeide tot hen: Vreest niet, want, ziet, ik verkondig u grote blijdschap, die al den volke wezen zal;
11 Namelijk dat u heden geboren is de Zaligmaker, welke is Christus, de Heere, in de stad Davids.
12 En dit zal u het teken zijn: gij zult het Kindeken vinden in doeken gewonden, en liggende in de kribbe.
13 En van stonde aan was er met den engel een menigte des hemelsen heirlegers, prijzende God en zeggende:
14 Ere zij God in de hoogste hemelen, en vrede op aarde, in de mensen een welbehagen.
15 En het geschiedde, als de engelen van hen weggevaren waren naar de hemel, dat de herders tot elkander zeiden: Laat ons dan heengaan naar Bethlehem, en laat ons zien het woord, dat er geschied is, hetwelk de Heere ons heeft verkondigd.
16 En zij kwamen met haast, en vonden Maria en Jozef, en het Kindeken liggende in de kribbe.
17 En als zij Het gezien hadden, maakten zij alom bekend het woord, dat hun van dit Kindeken gezegd was.
18 En allen, die het hoorden, verwonderden zich over hetgeen hun gezegd werd van de herders.
19 Doch Maria bewaarde deze woorden alle te zamen, overleggende die in haar hart.
20 En de herders keerde wederom, verheerlijkende en prijzende God over alles, wat zij gehoord en gezien hadden, gelijk tot hen gesproken was.

In Portuguese:

1. Naqueles tempos apareceu um decreto de César Augusto, ordenando o recenseamento de toda a terra.
2. Este recenseamento foi feito antes do governo de Quirino, na Síria.
3. Todos iam alistar-se, cada um na sua cidade.
4. Também José subiu da Galiléia, da cidade de Nazaré, à Judéia, à Cidade de Davi, chamada Belém, porque era da casa e família de Davi,
5. para se alistar com a sua esposa Maria, que estava grávida.
6. Estando eles ali, completaram-se os dias dela.
7. E deu à luz seu filho primogênito, e, envolvendo-o em faixas, reclinou-o num presépio; porque não havia lugar para eles na hospedaria.
8. Havia nos arredores uns pastores, que vigiavam e guardavam seu rebanho nos campos durante as vigílias da noite.
9. Um anjo do Senhor apareceu-lhes e a glória do Senhor refulgiu ao redor deles, e tiveram grande temor.
10. O anjo disse-lhes: Não temais, eis que vos anuncio uma boa nova que será alegria para todo o povo:
11. hoje vos nasceu na Cidade de Davi um Salvador, que é o Cristo Senhor.
12. Isto vos servirá de sinal: achareis um recém-nascido envolto em faixas e posto numa manjedoura.
13. E subitamente ao anjo se juntou uma multidão do exército celeste, que louvava a Deus e dizia:
14. Glória a Deus no mais alto dos céus e na terra paz aos homens, objetos da benevolência (divina).

(Thank you, Fragano)

In Icelandic:

Lúkasar guðspjall 2:1-20

En það bar til um þessar mundir, að boð kom frá Ágústus keisara, að skrásetja skyldi alla heimsbyggðina. Þetta var fyrsta skrásetningin og var gjörð þá er Kýreníus var landstjóri á Sýrlandi. Fóru þá allir til að láta skrásetja sig, hver til sinnar borgar. Þá fór og Jósef úr Galíleu frá borginni Nasaret upp til Júdeu, til borgar Davíðs, að láta skrásetja sig ásamt Maríu heitkonu sinni, sem var þunguð. En meðan þau voru þar, kom sá tími, er hún skyldi verða léttari. Fæddi jún þá son sinn frumgetinn, vafði hann reifum og lagði hann í jötu, af því að eigi var rúm handa þeim í gistihúsi.

En í sömu byggð voru hirðar úti í haga og gættu um nóttina hjarðar sinnar. Og engill Drottins stóð hjá þeim, og dýrð Drottins ljómaði kringum þá. Þeir urðu mjög hræddir, en engillinn sagði við þá: “Verið óhræddir, því sjá, ég boða yður mikinn fögnuð, sem veitast mun öllum lýðnum: Yður er í dag frelsari fæddur, sem er Kristur Drottinn, í borg Davíðs. Og hafði þetta til marks: Þið munuð finna ungbarn reifað og lagt í jötu.”

Og í sömu svipan var með englinum fjöldi himneskra hersveita, sem lofuðu Guð og sögðu: Dýrð sé Guði í upphæðum og friður á jörðu með mönnum, sem hann hefur velþóknun á. Þegar englarnir voru farnir frá þeim til himins, sögðu hirðarnir sín á milli: “Förum beint til Betlahem að sjá það, sem gjörst hefur og Drottinn hefur kunngjört oss” Og þeir fóru með skyndi og fundu Maríu og Jósef og ungbarnið, sem lá í jötu. Þegar þeir sáu það, skýrðu þeir frá því, er þeim hafði verið sagt um barn þetta. Og allir, sem heyrðu, undruðust það, er hirðarnir sögðu þeim. En María geymdi allt þetta í hjarta sér og hugleiddi það. Og hirðarnir sneru aftur og vegsömuðu Guð og lofuðu hann fyrir það, sem þeir höfðu heyrt og séð, en allt var það eins og þeim hafði verið sagt.

(Thank you, Sica)

Martin Luther, 1545:

1. Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit, daß ein Gebot vom Kaiser Augustusausging, daß alle Welt geschätzt würde. :: 2. Und diese Schätzung war die allererste und geschah zu der Zeit, daCyrenius Landpfleger in Syrien war :: 3. Und jedermann ging, daß er sich schätzen ließe, ein. jeglicher inseine Stadt. :: 4. Da machte sich auch auf Joseph aus Galiläa, aus der Stadt Nazareth,in das jüdische Land zur Stadt Davids die da heißt Bethlehem, darum daßer von dem Hause und Geschlechte Davids war :: 5. auf daß er sich schätzen ließe mit Maria, seinem vertrauten Weibe,die war schwanger. :: 6. Und als sie daselbst waren, kam die Zeit, daß sie gebären sollte. :: 7. Und sie gebar ihren ersten Sohn und wickelte ihn in Windeln undlegte ihn in eine Krippe; denn sie hatten sonst keinen Raum in derHerberge. :: 8. Und es waren Hirten in derselbigen Gegend auf dem Felde bei denHürden, die hüteten des Nachts ihre Herde. :: 9. und siehe des Herrn Engel trat zu ihnen, und die Klarheit des Herrnleuchtete um sie, und sie fürchteten sich sehr. :: 10. Und der Engel sprach zu ihnen: Fürchtet euch nicht! Siehe, ichverkündige euch große Freude, die allem Volk widerfahren wird; :: 11. denn euch ist heute der Heiland geboren, welcher ist Christus, derHerr, in der Stadt Davids. :: 12. Und das habt zum Zeichen: Ihr werdet finden das Kind in Windelngewickelt und in einer Krippe liegen. :: 13. Und alsbald war da bei dem Engel die Menge der himmlischenHeerscharen, die lobten Gott und sprachen: :: 14. Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe und Friede auf Erden und den Menschenein Wohlgefallen! :: 15. Und da die Engel von ihnen gen Himmel fuhren, sprachen die Hirtenuntereinander: Laßt uns nun gehen gen Bethlehem und die Geschichtesehen, die da geschehen ist, die uns der Herr kundgetan hat. :: 16. Und sie kamen eilend und fanden beide, Maria und Joseph, dazu dasKind in der Krippe liegen. :: 17. Da sie es aber gesehen hatten breiteten sie das Wort aus, welcheszu ihnen von diesem Kind gesagt war. :: 18. Und alle, vor die es kam, wunderten sich der Rede, die ihnen dieHirten gesagt hatten. :: 19. Maria aber behielt alle diese Worte und bewegete sie in ihremHerzen. :: 20. Und die Hirten kehreten wieder um, preiseten und lobten Gott umalles, was sie gehöret und gesehen hatten, wie denn zu ihnen gesagt war.

(Thank you, Fidelio)

- o0o -

From Sisuile, Isaiah 9:6:

Parvulus enim natus est nobis filius datus est nobis et factus est principatus super umerum eius et vocabitur nomen eius Admirabilis consiliarius Deus fortis Pater futuri saeculi Princeps pacis. <

From Paul Duncanson, the LOLcat version.

From Linkmeister, Linus explains Christmas.

Jo Walton’s story about Joseph.

From Pericat, the IRC version.

Debcha is big on Wayne Coyne’s Twelve reasons why Christmas matters.

And from me, a Christmas carol for which we have got to find music before next yuletide: Ipse Mocat Me. Also An Aungell fro Hevn Gan Lyth, which as far as I know is the only Christmas carol that depicts God as a knitter. (Note: mind the typo in the third line of first stanza, which says know but should be knot.)

- o0o -

Merry Christmas! Joy to the world! And thank you for being here.

Comments on Texts, 2009:
#2 ::: David DeLaney ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 01:11 AM:

"and wild and sweet / the words repeat" - thank you.

Merry Christmas to all... and to all a good rest of the night!

#4 ::: Dr Paisley ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 02:21 AM:

And thank you and Patrick, for providing such a wonderful place to hang out.

What is missing from all this is a proper cover version of "Deck Us All With Boston Charlie." Perhaps Whisperado can work on that for their Christmas album.

#5 ::: Nicholas Whyte ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 02:39 AM:

Happy Christmas! And thanks for the credit for the Greek.

I was chided by someone else for not including the correct diacriticals; I don't know if this comment box will hold the more accurate version, but here goes:

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἐξῆλθεν δόγμα παρὰ Καίσαρος Αὐγούστου ἀπογράφεσθαι πᾶσαν τὴν οἰκουμένην.
αὕτη ἀπογραφὴ ἐγένετο πρώτη ἡγεμονεύοντος τῆς Συρίας Κυρηνίου.
καὶ ἐπορεύοντο πάντες ἀπογράφεσθαι, ἕκαστος εἰς τὴν ἑαυτοῦ πόλιν.
ἀνέβη δὲ καὶ Ἰωσὴφ ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐκ πόλεως Ναζαρὲθ εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν εἰς πόλιν Δαυεὶδ ἥτις καλεῖται Βηθλέεμ, διὰ τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν ἐξ οἴκου καὶ πατριᾶς Δαυείδ,
ἀπογράψασθαι σὺν Μαριὰμ τῇ ἐμνηστευμένῃ αὐτῷ, οὔσῃ ἐγκύῳ.
Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ εἶναι αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖ ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ τεκεῖν αὐτήν,
καὶ ἔτεκεν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐσπαργάνωσεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἀνέκλινεν αὐτὸν ἐν φάτνῃ, διότι οὐκ ἦν αὐτοῖς τόπος ἐν τῷ καταλύματι.
Καὶ ποιμένες ἦσαν ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ τῇ αὐτῇ ἀγραυλοῦντες καὶ φυλάσσοντες φυλακὰς τῆς νυκτὸς ἐπὶ τὴν ποίμνην αὐτῶν.
καὶ ἄγγελος κυρίου ἐπέστη αὐτοῖς καὶ δόξα κυρίου περιέλαμψεν αὐτούς, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν.
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ ἄγγελος· μὴ φοβεῖσθε· ἰδοὺ γὰρ εὐαγγελίζομαι ὑμῖν χαρὰν μεγάλην ἥτις ἔσται παντὶ τῷ λαῷ,
ὅτι ἐτέχθη ὑμῖν σήμερον σωτὴρ ὅς ἐστιν Χριστὸς κύριος ἐν πόλει Δαυείδ·
καὶ τοῦτο ὑμῖν τὸ σημεῖον, εὑρήσετε βρέφος ἐσπαργανωμένον ἐν φάτνῃ.
καὶ ἐξαίφνης ἐγένετο σὺν τῷ ἀγγέλῳ πλῆθος στρατιᾶς οὐρανίου αἰνούντων τὸν θεὸν καὶ λεγόντων·
δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις θεῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκίας.

#6 ::: abi ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 03:57 AM:

Merry Christmas (if you celebrate it), or otherwise a wonderful day, to everyone. This is a day for families, and you guys are certainly one of mine.

#7 ::: Mikael Vejdemo Johansson ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 04:05 AM:

First off, since I gave that old Swedish translation, my name has changed. I'm now no longer Mikael Johansson, I'm Mikael Vejdemo Johansson. :-)

Secondly, have the same verses. In Sámi:
Lukas 2:
1 Dan ájge tjäjssár Augustus guládahtij gåhttjomav ålles värált galgaj almasjlåhkuj tjáleduvvat.
2 Vuostasj tjáledibme almasjlåhkuj lij dalloj, gå Kvirinius lij Syria ednamhärrán.
3 Gájka mannin ietjasa tjáledittjat, iesj guhtik stádasis.
4 Ja Josef, guhti lij Davida máttos, vuolgij Galilea Nasaretas Judeaj, Davida stádaj Betlehemaj,
5 ietjas tjáledittjat aktan Mariajn gejna lij giláduvvam ja guhti lij iesselissan.
6 Gå dåppe lijga, de ållånij ájgge Mariaj riegádahtátjit,
7 ja bárnes riegádahtij, vuostasjriegádim mánáv, ja giessalij ja krubbuj biejaj, dan diehti gå sunnuj ij lim guossevieson sadje.
8 Dajn dáfojn lidjin soabmása sávttsaälosa iján räjnnuhime.
9 De Härrá ieññgil sijá åvddåj tjuottjadij. Sijá birra Härrá herlukvuohta bájtij ja alvosláhkáj ballá-
jin.
10 Valla ieññgil sidjij javlaj: ”Allit balá. Ávvoságajt mån didjij sárnov, ávov gájkka álmmugij.
11 Didjij le uddni lånestiddje Davida stádan riegádam, sån le Messias, Härrá.
12 Ja dát le märkkan didjij: riegádimmánáv gávnnabihtit giessaluvvam ja kruppon vellahime.”
13 Ja hähkkat lij danna ieññgilijn stuorra almefuovva Jubmelav hievedime:
14 ”Guddne Jubmelij allagisán ja ráfe suv gierugijda ednamin.”
15 Gå ieññgila lidjin sijá lussta almmáj mannam, javllin räjnnuhiddje guhtik guojmmásisá: ”Vuolggup dal Betlehemaj gehtjatjit mij le sjaddam ja majt Härrá le midjij diededam.”
16 Gáhtjos sij Betlehemaj mannin, ja gávnnin Mariav ja Josefav ja mánátjav, guhti lij kruppon.
17 Gå mánáv lidjin vuojnnám, subtsastin majt dán máná birra lidjin gullam.
18 Gájka imálussjin räjnnuhiddjij ságajt.
19 Maria gájkka vájmmusis vuorkkij ja ájádaláj.
20 Räjnnuhiddje máhttsin ja hievedin ja rámmpun Jubmelav dassta majt lidjin gullam ja vuojnnám:gájkka lij nåvti gåktu sidjij lij javladuvvam.

#8 ::: Kip W ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 09:26 AM:

I'll be darned. Lord Buckley seems to have skipped this part.

#9 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 10:34 AM:

"Look after the universe for me. I've put a lot of work into it."

#10 ::: Jon Baker ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 10:48 AM:

In “The Orthodox Jewish Brit Chadasha”, an unabashed recruiting tool for Christian missionaries, which is a “translation” into a bad approximation of “yeshivish”, which is the patois (argot?) spoken by religious Jews while learning Torah, by inserting Hebrew words for technical terms (e.g. bris not c___umcision):

2 |1| And it came about at that time that a dvar malchut (decree) was sent out from Caesar Augustus to register everyone in the entire Roman Empire.
|2| This mifkad (census) was before that taken while Quirinius was governor in Syria.
|3| And everyone was traveling to register, each to his own shtetl.
|4| Now Yosef [ben Dovid] also went up from the Galil, from the shtetl of Natzeret, to Yehudah, to the Ir Dovid (City of David), which is called Beit- Lechem, because he was of the mishpochah and Bais of Dovid.
|5| And Yosef [ben Dovid] went up to register with Miryam, who had been given to him in erusin (betrothal) and who was with child.
|6| And it came about, while they were there, the yamim (days) were fulfilled for Miryam to give birth.
|7| And she bore her ben, her Bechor (firstborn); and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in an evus (animal feeding trough), because there was no place for them in the malon (inn).
|8| And ro’im (shepherds) were in the same region, living outside in the open air, and keeping shomer over their eder (flock) balailah.
|9| And, suddenly, a malach Hashem stood before them, and the kavod Hashem shone around them; and they were afraid with a yirah gedolah (great fear).
|10| And the malach said to them, Do not have pachad (fear, terror); for hinei I announce Besuras HaGeulah to you of great simcha (joy) which will be for kol Am Berit (all the People of the Covenant);
|11| Because hayom, in Ir Dovid, has been born to you a Moshia (Go’el, Savior, Oisleizer), who is Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach HaAdon. [YESHAYAH 9:5(6)]
|12| And this will be HaOt [The Sign] to you: you will find a small child, an infant, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in an evus. [SHMUEL ALEF 2:34; MELACHIM BAIS 19:29; TEHILLIM 86:17; YESHAYAH 7:14]
|13| And, suddenly, there was with the malach a multitude of the Tzivos Hashem, the Tzivos HaShomayim (Armies or Hosts of Heaven) praising Hashem, and saying,
|14| Kavod to Hashem in the Highest; and on haaretz shalom among Bnei Adam kavvanah tovah (of good intention). [YESHAYAH 9:5-6; 52:7; 53:5; MICHOH 5:4-5]
|15| And it came about, when the malachim withdrew from them to Shomayim, the roim (shepherds) were saying to one another, Let us go now up to Beit-Lechem and let us see this thing that has come about which Hashem has made known to us.
|16| And they came in haste and found both Miryam and Yosef [ben Dovid], and the child was lying in the evus (animal feeding trough, see Isa 53:7 on Moshiach the Seh).
|17| And when the roim saw this, they made known the dvar concerning this yeled which had been told them.
|18| And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the roim (shepherds).
|19| But Miryam was treasuring up all these things, pondering them in her lev.
|20| And the roim went back, and as they returned, they cried, Baruch Hashem! They gave kavod to G-d for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been foretold to them.

[And then note, that because Jesus was a Jew, he had a bris on the 8th day, as all (healthy) Jewish boys do (or should. Wherefore Debbie & I call New Years Day “Chrisbris”]:

|21| And when shemonah yamim were completed for his bris milah, YEHOSHUA was given as SHMO, which he was called by the malach, before he was conceived in the womb.

#11 ::: B. Durbin ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 11:53 AM:

*yawns*

Rest ye merry, folks.

#12 ::: kid bitzer ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 12:10 PM:

wot, no esperanto?

hmmm...must look around....

but if you find it first, go ahead and post it-- i won't be wroth.

the other versions are gorgeous, teresa. a few word break problems with luther's german, i think?

#13 ::: kid bitzer ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 12:27 PM:

1 Kaj en tiuj tagoj eliris dekreto de Cezaro Auxgusto, ke la tuta mondo estu registrita. 2 Cxi tiu estis la unua registrado, farita, kiam Kirenio estis reganto de Sirio. 3 Kaj cxiuj iris, por esti registritaj, cxiu al sia urbo. 4 Kaj Jozef ankaux supreniris el Galileo, el la urbo Nazaret, en Judujon, al la urbo de David, kiu estas nomata Bet- Lehxem, cxar li estis el la domo kaj familio de David, 5 por esti registrita kun sia fiancxino Maria, kiu estis graveda. 6 Kaj dum ili estis tie, venis la tagoj por sxia akusxo. 7 Kaj sxi naskis sian unuan filon, kaj sxi cxirkauxvindis lin kaj kusxigis lin en staltrogon, cxar ne estis loko por ili en la gastejo. 8 Kaj en tiu sama regiono estis pasxtistoj, kiuj kamplogxis kaj nokte gardis sian gregon. 9 Kaj angxelo de la Eternulo alstaris apud ili, kaj la gloro de la Eternulo brilis cxirkaux ili, kaj ili timis per granda timo. 10 Kaj la angxelo diris al ili: Ne timu; cxar jen mi venigas al vi bonan sciigon de granda gxojo, kiu estos al la tuta popolo; 11 cxar hodiaux estas naskita por vi, en la urbo de David, Savanto, kiu estas Kristo, la Sinjoro. 12 Kaj jen la signo por vi: vi trovos infaneton, cxirkauxvinditan kaj kusxantan en staltrogo. 13 Kaj subite estis kun la angxelo amaso de la cxiela armeo, lauxdante Dion, kaj dirante: 14 Gloro al Dio en la supera alto, Kaj sur la tero paco, inter homoj Difavoro.

#14 ::: Lizzy L ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 01:12 PM:

Glory to God Most High!

My parish choir sang this at 8 am Mass today. It rocked the house!

#15 ::: Mark D. ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 01:34 PM:

"A shepe IS a peryllous beste"!

Ideo, O, O, in excelsis Deo!

#16 ::: Lois Fundis ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 01:59 PM:

Teresa, and everyone else who contributed, thanks for all these texts. I enjoyed working through the various languages to see how much I could recognize. Among other things, I found myself wondering what Linus would sound like in Anglo-Saxon.

Especial thanks for including the link to Jo's story about St. Joseph, which I had not read in awhile and was just wonderful.

Heading off to my sister's house now...
Merry Christmas to everyone who is celebrating today, and a happy and peaceful day to all here in the fluorosphere (and elsewhere, too).

#17 ::: Johan Larson ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 02:00 PM:

Huh. The Swedish translation and the English don't quite agree.

"Ära i höjden åt Gud
och på jorden fred
åt dem han har utvalt."

Translating that somewhat literally:

Glory in the highest to God
and on Earth peace
to those he has selected.

Where did that last bit about the selected come from? Sounds Calvinist.

#18 ::: Bjorn ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 02:53 PM:

The Icelandic translation of 1540. Not much has changed.

En það bar til á þeim dögum að það boð gekk út frá keisaranum Ágústo það heimurinn allur skyldi skattskrifast. Og þessi skattur hófst fyrst upp hjá Kýreno sem þá var landstjórnari í Sýria. Og allir fóru að tjá sig, hver til sinnar borgar. Þá fór og Jósef af Galílea úr borginni Naðaret upp í Júdeam, til Davíðs borgar, sú er kallast Betlehem, af því að hann var af húsi og kyni Davíðs, að hann tjáði sig þar meður Maríu, sinni festarkvon óléttri.

En það gjörðist þá þau voru þar að þeir dagar fullnuðust eð hún skyldi fæða. Og hún fæddi sinn frumgetinn son og vafði hann í reifum og lagði hann niður í jötuna því að hún fékk ekkert annað rúm í herberginu.

Og fjárhirðar voru þar í sama byggðarlagi um grandana við fjárhúsin, sem varðveittu og vöktu yfir hjörð sinni. Og sjá, að engill Drottins stóð hjá þeim, og Guðs birti ljómaði kringum þá. Og þeir urðu af miklum ótta hræddir, og engillinn sagði til þeirra: Eigi skulu þér hræðast, sjáið, því að eg boða yður mikinn fögnuð, þann er sker öllum lýð, því í dag er yður lausnarinn fæddur, sá að er Kristur Drottinn, í borg Davíðs. Og hafið það til merkis: Þér munu finna barnið í reifum vafið og lagt vera í jötuna. Og jafnskjótt þá var þar hjá englinum mikill fjöldi himneskra hersveita sem lofuðu Guð og sögðu: Dýrð sé Guði í upphæðum og friður á jörðu og mönnum %góðvilji.*

Og þá er englarnir fóru frá þeim aftur til himins, töluðu hirðarnir sín á milli: Göngu vær allt til Betlehem og sjáum þau merki er þar hafa skeð og Drottinn hefir kunngjört oss. Og þeir komu með skunda og fundu Maríu og Jósef og barnið liggja í jötunni. En þá er þeir höfðu það séð, víðfrægðu þeir það orð út sem þeim var sagt af þessu barni. Og allir þeir það heyrðu, undruðust það hvað þeim var af hirðurunum sagt. En María varðveitti öll þessi orð og rótfesti í sínu hjarta. Og fjárhirðarnir sneru aftur, dýrkandi og lofandi Guð um allt það hvað þeir höfðu heyrt og séð og eftir því sem þeim var til sagt.*

#19 ::: Jon Baker ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 02:57 PM:

And the versions disagree about the motive for the return to Bethlehem: did Cesar decree a tax, or a description, or a census?

Biblically, of course, the census of Israel was taken by a half-shekel head tax. Which was obtained by foreigners from money changers at the Temple, since the text requires a half of a silver shekel, local currency, not some universal currency. Which process, of course, Jesus famously disrupted, for what he seemed to feel were abuses of the system.

The process is described in the first two chapters of Mishnah tractate Shekalim, here.

I suppose Roman censuses were similar? Collect a standard coin per person, and the number of coins equals the number of people? Apparently not, their censuses were like ours, in that taxation was based on the census, rather than the mechanism of the census.

#20 ::: Fragano Ledgister ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 03:45 PM:

Happy, happy, happy day to all.

I can't find the Luke text in Galician, but here's John 1, i-xviii in Galician:

No principio existía a Palabra, e a Palabra estaba onda Deus, e a Palabra era Deus. Ela estaba no principio onda Deus. Todo foi feito por ela, e sen ela non se fixo nada do que foi feito. Nela estaba a vida, e a vida era a luz dos homes; a luz aluma na tebra, e a tebra non a deu apagado.

Houbo un home mandado por Deus: o seu nome era Xoán. Este veu de testemuña para dar testemuño da luz, para que todos cresen por el. Non era el a luz, senón que veu para dar testemuño da luz. A Palabra era a verdadeira luz que aluma a todo home que vén a este mundo. Ela estaba no mundo, e o mundo foi feito por ela, pero o mundo non a recoñeceu. Veu á súa propiedade, e os seus non a acolleron. Pero a cantos a recibiron, -ós que cren no seu nome- déulle-lo poder de seren fillos de Deus. Estes, non naceron do sangue, nin da vontade da carne, nin da vontade do home, senón de Deus.

E a Palabra fíxose carne, e plantou entre nós a súa tenda, e nós vímo-la súa gloria, gloria coma de Unixénito que vén do Pai, cheo de gracia e de verdade. Xoán dá testemuño del, exclamando: Este évos de quen eu dixen: "O que vén detrás miña, pasa diante miña, pois existía primeiro ca min". E da súa abundancia recibimos todos nós gracia e máis gracia. Pois a Lei deuse por medio de Moisés; a gracia e a verdade realizáronse por Xesús Cristo. A Deus ninguén o viu; o Unixénito, que está no seo do Pai, foi quen nolo revelou.

#21 ::: Thomas ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 04:35 PM:

Johan Larson:

The change from "peace on earth, good will toward men" to "peace on earth to people[1] of good will" or "to people whom God favors" was motivated by textual accuracy rather than dogma. In the oldest available Greek texts, "good will/favor" is genitive rather than nominative, leading to "people of good will". (Nicholas Whyte's post above has the genitive 'εὐδοκίας'). It's one of the many cases where the earlier English translation looks better than the original.

At least in the US, the use of the apparently Calvinist modern translations would correlate negatively with actual Calvinism.


[1] Yes, "people" is a more literal translation than "men" for "ἀνθρώποις"

#22 ::: rea ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 05:14 PM:

And the versions disagree about the motive for the return to Bethlehem: did Cesar decree a tax, or a description, or a census?

It would have to be a census, because Roman taxation was conducted by selling tax farmers the right to collect taxes in a particular district, rather than directly by the government. This is why tax collectors (St. Matthew) have such a bad reputation in the New Testament.

But I hope no one thinks I'm lacking the spirit of the season if I point out that this is an improbable piece of stage business to get Jesus of Nazareth born in Bethlehem, as required by the prophecy. Imagine requiring everyone in the empire to go to where their ancestors lived a thousand years before, in order to be accurately counted!

#23 ::: P J Evans ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 06:07 PM:

From the first translation into Welsh, 1588 (typos probably nine):

[1] Bu hefyd yn y dyddiau hynny fyned gorchymyn allan oddi wrth Augustus Caesar i drethu yr hollu syd.
[2] (A'r trethiad ymma, a wnaethbwyd gyntaf pan oedd Cyrenius yn rhâglaw ar Syria)
[3] A phawb a aethant i'w trethu bob un i'w ddigas ei hun.
[4] Ac aeth Joseph o Galilaea o dref Nazareth i Judaea, i dref Dafydd yr hon a elwir Bethlehem (am ei fod o dŷ, a thŷlwyth Dafydd):
[5] I'w drethu gyd â Mair, yr hon a ddyweddiesid yn wraig iddo, yr hon oedd yn feichiog.
[6] A by tra 'r oeddynt hwy yno, gyflawni ei dyddiau hi i escor.
[7] Ac hi aescorodd ar ei mab cynta-anedic, ac a'i rhwymodd ef mewn cadachau, ac a'i ir rhoddes yn y preseb, am nad oedd iddynt le yn y lletty.
[8] Ac yr oedd yn y wlad honno fugeiliaid yn gorwedd allan, ac yn gwilied eu yraidd liw nos.
[9] Ac wele angel yr Arglwydd a safodd gerllaw iddynt, a gogoniant yr Arglwydd a ddiscleiriodd o'u hamgylch, ac ofni yn ddirfawr a wnaethant.
[10] Yna yr angel a ddywedodd wrthynt, nac ofnwch, canys yr wyf yn mynegy i chwi lawennydd mawr, yr hwn a fydd i'r holl bobl:
[11] Geni i chwi heddyw geidwad, yn ninas Dafydd: yr hwn ydyw Cryst yr Arglwydd.
[12] A hyn [sydd] arwydd i chwi, chwi a gewch y dŷn bach wedi ei rwymo mewn cadachau a'i roddi yn y preseb.
[13] Ac yn ddisymmwth yr oedd gyd â'r angel nifeirimawr o luoedd nefol yn moliannu Duw gan ddywedyd,
[14] Gogoniant i Dduw yn yr ucheloer, a thangneddyf ar y ddaiar, ac i ddynion ewyllys da.
[15] Ac wedi darfod i'r angelion fyned oddi wrthynti'r nefoedd, yna y bugeiliaid a ddynwedasant wrth eu gilydd:awn hey Bethlehem, a gweldwn y pethhyn a ddangosodd yr Arglwydd i ni.

#24 ::: David Harmon ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 06:30 PM:

P J Evans: #23: typos probably nine

Counting that one? ;-)

Thomas #21: The change from "peace on earth, good will toward men" to "peace on earth to people[1] of good will" or "to people whom God favors" was motivated by textual accuracy rather than dogma.

It seems to me that it's the folk of good will who deserve peace....

Jon Baker #10: Wherefore Debbie & I call New Years Day “Chrisbris” <grin>

#25 ::: P J Evans ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 07:15 PM:

Oh yeah!

#26 ::: Sam Kelly ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 08:35 PM:

Nowhere else would I find that someone had already posted the Welsh translation I was looking up. Instead, have a modern colloquial translation by Arfon Jones, and may there be goodwill and peace to all.

[1] Tua’r un adeg dyma Cesar Awgwstws yn gorchymyn cynnal cyfrifiad drwy'r Ymerodraeth Rufeinig i gyd. ([2] Hwn oedd y cyfrifiad cyntaf, gafodd ei gynnal cyn bod Cwiriniws yn llywodraethwr Syria.) [3] Roedd pawb yn mynd adre i’r trefi lle cawson nhw eu geni, i gofrestru ar gyfer y cyfrifiad.
[4] Felly gan fod Joseff yn perthyn i deulu’r Brenin Dafydd, gadawodd Nasareth yn Galilea, a mynd i gofrestru yn Jwdea – yn Bethlehem, hynny ydy tref Dafydd. [5] Aeth yno gyda Mair oedd yn mynd i fod yn wraig iddo, ac a oedd erbyn hynny’n disgwyl babi. [6] Tra roedden nhw yno daeth yn amser i’r babi gael ei eni, [7] a dyna lle cafodd ei phlentyn cyntaf ei eni – bachgen bach. Dyma hi'n lapio cadachau geni yn ofalus amdano, a'i osod i orwedd mewn cafn ar gyfer bwydo anifeiliaid. Doedd dim llety iddyn nhw aros ynddo.

Y Bugeiliaid a'r Angylion

[8] Yn ardal Bethlehem roedd bugeiliaid allan drwy’r nos yn yr awyr agored yn gofalu am eu defaid. [9] Yn sydyn dyma nhw’n gweld un o angylion yr Arglwydd, ac roedd ysblander yr Arglwydd fel golau llachar o'u cwmpas nhw. Roedden nhw wedi dychryn am eu bywydau. [10] Ond dyma'r angel yn dweud wrthyn nhw, "Peidiwch bod ofn. Mae gen i newyddion da i chi! Newyddion fydd yn gwneud pobl ym mhobman yn llawen iawn. [11] Mae eich Achubwr wedi cael ei eni heddiw, yn Bethlehem (tref y Brenin Dafydd). Ie, y Meseia! Yr Arglwydd! [12] Dyma sut byddwch chi’n ei nabod e: Dewch o hyd iddo yn fabi bach wedi ei lapio mewn cadachau ac yn gorwedd mewn cafn bwydo anifeiliaid."
[13] Yn sydyn dyma filoedd o angylion eraill yn dod i’r golwg, roedd fel petai holl angylion y nefoedd yno yn addoli Duw
[14] "Gogoniant i Dduw yn y nefoedd uchaf,
a heddwch ar y ddaear islaw
a bendith Duw ar bobl."

#27 ::: P J Evans ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 09:00 PM:

26
Well, I transcribed it from this image here.

*grumble* "Blackletter. Why does it always have to be blackletter?" *grumble*

#28 ::: fidelio ::: (view all by) ::: December 25, 2009, 09:58 PM:

Breton

1. En amzer-se e voe embannet ul lezenn a-berzh Kezar-Aogust, evit ma vije graet ar gont eus tud ar bed holl.
2. Ar gont kentañ-se a voe graet e-pad ma oa Kiriniuz gouarner Siria.
3. Dre-se an holl a yae evit lakaat o anv, pep hini en e gêr.
4. Jozef ivez a bignas eus Galilea da Judea, eus kêr Nazared da gêr David anvet Betlehem, dre ma oa eus tiegezh hag eus familh David,
5. evit reiñ e anv gant Mari e wreg, hag a oa dougerez.
6. E-pad ma oant eno, an amzer ma tlee gwilioudiñ a erruas,
7. hag e c'hanas he mab kentañ-ganet, hag e mailhuras anezhañ, hag e lakaas anezhañ en ur c'hraou, abalamour ne oa ket plas evito en ostaleri.
8. Bez' e oa er memes korn-bro mêsaerien a gouske er parkeier, hag a ziwalle o loened e-pad beilhadennoù an noz.
9. Setu un ael eus an Aotrou en em ziskouezas dezho ha gloar an Aotrou a lugernas en-dro dezho, hag o devoe ur spont bras.
10. Neuze an ael a lavaras dezho: N'ho pet ket aon, rak setu e tegasan deoc'h ur c'heloù mat, a vo un abeg a levenez vras evit an holl bobl,
11. rak ganet eo hiziv deoc'h, e kêr David, ur Salver, hag a zo ar C'hrist, an Aotrou.
12. Setu amañ ur sin deoc'h: c'hwi a gavo ur bugel bihan mailhuret ha gourvezet en ur c'hraou.
13. Ha kerkent e voe gant an ael ul lod bras eus arme an neñv, o veuliñ hag o lavarout:
14. Gloar da Zoue el lec'hioù uhel-meurbet, ha peoc'h war an douar e-touez an dud karet gantañ!
15. Pa voe en em dennet an aeled diganto en neñv, ar vêsaerien a lavaras an eil d'egile: Deomp eta betek Betlehem, ha gwelomp ar pezh a zo c'hoarvezet, hag en deus an Aotrou roet da anavezout deomp.
16. Mont a rejont eta buan di, hag e kavjont Mari, Jozef hag ar bugel bihan a oa gourvezet er c'hraou.
17. O vezañ e welet, e tisklêrjont ar pezh a oa bet lavaret dezho diwar-benn ar bugel bihan-se.
18. An holl re o c'hleve a oa souezhet bras eus ar pezh a oa bet lavaret dezho gant ar vêsaerien.
19. Mari a vire an holl draoù-se, o tistremen anezho en he c'halon.
20. Hag ar vêsaerien a zistroas, en ur reiñ gloar ha meuleudi da Zoue, evit kement o devoa klevet ha gwelet, hervez ma oa bet lavaret dezho.


Thank you, Teresa and Patrick, for keeping open house here, and thanks as well to your deputies fellow moderators, abi, Jim and Avram.

A good and hopeful holiday season to everyone here, regular, lurker, or drop-in, and may the new year be a better trip around than any we have known before.

#29 ::: David Goldfarb ::: (view all by) ::: December 26, 2009, 12:07 AM:

Thomas@21: the verb εὐδοκ-έω can also mean "be pleased with" -- it's the verb used when the Holy Spirit proclaims, "This is my only begotten son, in whom I am well pleased." The form in Luke could be a participle. Hence the translation "to men with whom he is pleased." (Seen in the Lowland Scots translation, among others.)

#30 ::: elise ::: (view all by) ::: December 26, 2009, 09:11 AM:

Is still the day itself for me, as I have not been to bed yet, so therefore Merry Christmas to them as keeps it.

(And now, to me a good night, I think.)

#31 ::: Thomas ::: (view all by) ::: December 26, 2009, 12:30 PM:

David Goldfarb @29:

Hence the translation "to men with whom he is pleased."

Yes, although that has a similar limiting sense as the other translation based on the genitive (peace just to some people).

It's amusing to note that the LOLcat Bible has one of the modern, more textually accurate versions, "peace fer doodz he luffs!", and the Conservapedia 'Conservative Bible Project' doesn't.

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