Miracle at Cana - Čudo u Kani - Wunder zu Kana - Part-4

UPDATE:
Please don't miss below and in previous posts Vladimir D. Janković's wonderful suggestions and brilliant commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

When not a single believer or leader of the pious Christian community was not convinced that Peter's sacrifice alone – there it is calling this offence God-pleasing courage [or: now there is a blessed courage for an offence] – in this treacherous night, pierced by a kiss and three shrill crows from the High Priest's rooster, saved our faith, and that only Peter, that foundation stone of the Church capable to crush men, was able, in continuo to preserve all that was of worth and of faith in them, which they would have, had they had lived longer, inevitably devalued and betrayed.
[When no single believer or Leader of the devout Christian community is convinced that only Peter's sacrifice preserved our faith, and that Peter alone, that foundation stone of the Church able to crush men, was enabled even in continuo to preserve all that was worthy and faithful among them, in order that they should live longer, ceaselessly divesting themselves of merit and renouncing their faith.]

Kada nijedan vernik ni glavar blagočastive zajednice hrišćana nije ubeđen da je samo Petrova žrtva – evo je zovem bogougodnom hrabrošću za prestup – u onoj izdajničkoj noći, izbodenoj s jednim poljupcem i tri šiljasta krika prvosvešteničkog petla, sačuvala našu veru, i da je samo Petar, taj kamen temeljac Crkve, sposoban da satire ljude, bio kadar i da in continuo sačuva sve što je u njima bilo vredno i verno, a što bi oni, da su duže poživeli, neizostavno obezvredili i izneverili.

Wenn nicht ein Gläubiger oder Herrscher der frommen/pietätvollen Gemeinschaft der Christen nicht davon überzeugt ist, dass allein Peters Opfer – na das nenne ich einen Gott-gesegneten Mut fürs Vergehen – in dieser tückischen Nacht, durbohrt von einem Kuss und drei spitzen Schreien des Hahns vom Hohenpriester [Hohenpriesters Hahn], unseren Glauben bewahrt, und dass nur Peter, der Grundstein der Kirche und fähig Menschen zu vernichten, in der Lage war das gute und treue in ihnen, in continuo zu bewahren, die Werte, die sie, wenn sie länger gelebt hätten, unweigerlich entwerten und betrügen würden.

Vladimir D. Janković:

I’d put it this way:

that Peter’s sacrifice alone – that is what I call a God-pleasing audiacity to transgress – in that treacherous night…

* * * 

to preserve all that was of worth and of faith in them, and which they would have, had they lived longer, inevitably devalued and betrayed.

 It’s a perfect, not a present tense!

Miracle at Cana - Čudo u Kani - Wunder zu Kana - Part-2

UPDATE:
Please don't miss below and in previous posts Vladimir D. Janković's wonderful suggestions and brilliant commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

Let [May] this testament find you [, wherever you may be] of generous and not wooden heart, of thirsting and not sated soul and [with] ears wide open to the word of truth.
So, this is what is announced [address] to [all] the elders of the Christian communities by [is from] Simon Peter, son of Jona from Bethsaida of Gennesaret whom the Savior named Cephas and turned [changed] into the hard [firm] rock on which he built [based] his Church. To the glory of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit [Ghost]. Amen.
You're pleading [ask] for me to visit you, you're crying out [call] for me because I am indispensable to you; indispensable to Corinth, indispensable to Salonica, much needed in [imperative to] Jerusalem, irreplaceable to Athens, and heathenish Rome [which doesn't know God] can't do without me.
Deceivers! Blasphemers! Hypocrites! Haven't you learned yet that nothing is indispensable except faith and nothing is irreplaceable except faith. Neither catechism [doctrines] nor catechist, neither [prayer nor the] Creed nor believers. Only faith.
Do you mean to tell me that you don't know where I am, that you don't know that I'm rotting in a Roman prison and that tomorrow at dawn they'll crucify me on a cross from which already much flesh has fallen of your brothers in Christ [the flesh of your brothers in Chris is already falling]? Deceivers! Blasphemers! Hypocrites! [Hypocrites! Blasphemers! Deceivers!]

I da vas ovaj amanet nađe gde ste, podašna a ne drvena srca, vapijuće a ne presite duše, i uha raskriljenog za reč istine.
Ovo, dakle, starešinama hrišćanskih zajednica saopštava Simon Petar, sin Jonin iz Vitsaide genizaretske, koga Spasitelj prozva Kifom i skameni u tvrdu stenu na kojoj sazida Crkvu svoju. U slavu Oca, i Sina, i svetog Duha. Amin.
Molite me da vas obiđem, vapijete za mnom jer sam vam neophodan; Korintu neophodan i Solunu neophodan, preko potreban Jerusalimu, nenadoknadiv Atini, i Rim neznabožački da ne može bez mene.
Pritvorice! bogohulnici! licemeri! ne naučiste li do sada da ništa nije neophodno do vera, i ništa nezamenljivo do vera. Ni veronauk, ni veroučitelji, ni Vjeruju, ni vernici. Samo vera.
I smerate li da mi rečete da ne znate gde sam, da ne znate da trunem u rimskom zatvoru, i da će me sutra u zoru razapeti na krst sa koga već uveliko spada meso vaše braće u Hristu? Pritvorice! bogohulnici! licemeri!

Und das dieser/s Erlass/Geheiß Euch mit einem großmütigen und nicht hölzernen Herzen vorfindet, mit jammernder und nicht gesättigter Seele, und mit weit offenen Ohren für das Wort der Wahrheit.
Dies also, ist die Verkündigung an die Ältesten der Christlichen Gemeinde von Simon Peter, Sohn des Jona aus Bethsaida Genezareth, den der Erlöser Kephas nannte und in den harten Fels verwandelte, auf dem er seine Kirche baute. Zur Ehre des Vaters und des Sohnes und des Heiligen Geistes. Amen.
Ihr fleht mich an zu euch zu kommen, ihr schreit nach mir weil ich unentbehrlich für euch bin; unentbehrlich für Corinth, unentbehrlich für Saloniki, zwingend notwendig für Jerusalem, unersetzlich für Athen, und das heidnische Rom kann nicht ohne mich auskommen.
Betrüger! Lästerer! Heuchler! Habt ihr noch nicht gelernt, dass nichts unentbehrlich ist, außer dem Glauben und nichts unersetzlich ist, außer dem Glauben. Weder Katechismus noch Katechet, weder Glaubensbekenntnis noch Gläubige. Nur der Glaube.
Wollt ihr mir weismachen, dass ihr nicht wisst, wo ich bin; dass ihr nicht wisst, dass ich in einem römischen Gefängnis verrotte und in der Morgendämmerung/bei Tagesanbruch auf einem Kreuz gekreuzigt werde, von dem das Fleisch eurer Christlichen Bruderschaft schon lange abfällt? Betrüger! Lästerer! Heuchler!

Vladimir D. Janković:

May this testament find you… It is a more ordinary option, but still it’s closer to original.

* * * 

It might be yearning and not sated soul. Wailing is too noisy, too demonstrative; yearning is inside.

* * * 

I think turned into the hard rock is better than changed.

* * * 

You are asking me… , that’s how I would say. Why begging?

* * * 

… asking me to come to you is – in my opinion – stronger and better than visit you.

* * * 

You are crying out for me – better than the other option.

* * * 

Maybe much needed in Jerusalem…

* * * 

Here I would say the Heathenish Rome. The adjecitve heathenish is, I deem, more suitable than pagan here.

* * * 

Catechist is the right word, I wouldn’t change it.

Good News - Blaga vest - Frohe Botschaft - Part-11

UPDATE:
Please don't miss below and in previous posts Vladimir D. Janković's wonderful suggestions and brilliant commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

And Israel sacrificed fat sacrifices, burned precious offerings, prayed the prescribed [appointed] prayers, all in expectation of that inimitable [incomparable] savior whom John the Baptist in Aenon near to Salim foretold, saying: “Prepare [ye] the way of the Lord [;] and make his paths straight!”
And behold, the Scripture was fulfilled.
He came during the reign of Octavian Augustus.
This is the [true] tale [story] about him, his teaching and his disciples, his miracles and his suffering [passion]. This is the [true] tale of how his new kingdom above all kingdoms was born. And it was evening and it was morning. And it was Joshua ben Joseph, Jesus the Nazarene, Savior of the world.
Who knows on which day, every day.

A Izrailj je gojne žrtve žrtvovao, skupocene paljenice palio, propisane molitve molio, sve u očekivanju tog neuporedivog izbavitelja, koga je Jovan Krstitelj u Enonu blizu Salima najavljivao govoreći: „Pripravite put Gospodu i poravnajte staze njegove!“
I gle, Pismo se zbi. Za vlade cezara Oktavijana Avgusta, On dođe.
Ovo je pripovest o Njemu, Njegovom učenju i učenicima, Njegovim čudima i Njegovom stradanju. Ovo je pripovest o tome kako se rađalo Njegovo Novo carstvo nad carstvima.
I bi veče, i bi jutro. I bi Jošua ben Josif, Isus Nazarećanin, Spasitelj sveta.
Dan ko zna koji, dan svaki.

Und Israel opferte fette/feiste Opfer, verbrannte wertvolle Gaben, betete vorgeschriebene Gebete, alles in Erwartung dieses unvergleichlichen Erlösers, den Johannes der Täufer in Enon, nahe bei Salim, mit den Worten ankündigt: „Bereitet den Weg des Herrn und ebnet seine Pfade!“
Und siehe da, die Schrift war erfüllt. Er kam während der Herrschaft des Octavian Augustus.
Dies ist die Geschichte über ihn, seine Lehre und seine Jünger, seine Wunder und seine Leiden. Dies ist die Geschichte, wie sein neues Reich über alle Königreiche geboren wurde. Und es wurde Abend und wurde Morgen. Und es war Joshua ben Joseph, Jesus der Nazarener, der Retter der Welt.
Wer weiß, an welchem ​​Tag, jeden Tag.

Vladimir D. Janković:

The word „pripovest“ Pekić uses twice. With no adjective. Our distinguished translator made a reasonable variation – tale/story. What's more, he added the adjective „true“, hoping that the whole would seem more assertive, more adamant. I suggest that we should leave it with no adjective, just like Pekić did it, and use the same word twice. The word should be tale. There is, though, another possibly intriguing option: narrative. But narrative is too modern, too Latin, too written. So, the tale would be fine.

Good News - Blaga vest - Frohe Botschaft - Part-10

UPDATE:
Please don't miss in previous posts Vladimir D. Janković's wonderful suggestions and brilliant commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

And thus, instructed by the Lord, the prophet Isaiah said [to them]: “Hear ye now, O house of David; is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, Immanuel”

["Hear ye now, O house of David; it is a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel."]

And the prophet Isaiah again spoke: “He will be despised and rejected by men, experience pain and will be familiar with sickness, like someone from whom people hide their faces; He will be despised, and we won't value Him. Yet He will take upon himself our suffering and carry our sorrows, but we will think that God wounded him, beat him, and punished him. And He will be wounded for our rebellious acts, and beaten for our transgressions; He will be punished so that we can have peace, and we will receive healing from his wounds.”

[He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."]

I stoga im, poučen od Gospoda, kaza prorok Isaije: „Slušaj sada, dome Davidov, malo li vam je što dosađujete ljudima, nego dojadiste i Bogu mojemu. Zato će vam [sam] Gospod dati znak: eto, devojka će zatrudneti i roditi sina Emanuila [rodiće sina, i nadjenuće mu ime Emanuilo].“

I još kaza prorok Isaije: „Prezren će biti i odbačen među ljudima, bolnik i vičan bolestima, i kao neko od koga svako zaklanja lice, prezren da ga nizašta nećemo uzimati. A on će bolesti naše poneti, i nemoći naše uzeti na sebe, a mi ćemo misliti da je ranjen i da ga Bog bije i kinji. Ali on će biti ranjen za naše prestupe, i bijen za naša bezakonja; kazna na njemu biće našeg mira radi, i njegovom ranom mi ćemo se isceliti.“

Und so, beauftragt/angewiesen durch den Herrn, sprach der Prophet Jesaja: „Höre doch, Haus Davids: Ist's euch zu wenig, dass ihr den Menschen zur Last fallt? Müßt ihr auch meinen Gott ermüden? Darum wird euch der HERR selbst ein Zeichen geben: Siehe, eine Jungfrau wird schwanger und einen Sohn, Immanuel gebären.“

Und der Prophet Jesaja sagte weiter: „Verachtet wird er sein und verlassen von den Menschen, ein Mann der Schmerzen und mit Krankheit vertraut; wie einer, vor dem man das Angesicht verbirgt, so verachtet wird er sein, und wir werden seiner nicht achten. Doch wahrlich, unsere Krankheit wird er tragen, und unsere Schmerzen wird er auf sich laden; wir aber werden ihn für bestraft halten, von Gott geschlagen und geplagt; aber er wird durchbohrt um unserer Übertretung willen, zerschlagen wegen unserer Missetat; die Strafe, uns zum Frieden, wird auf ihm liegen, und durch seine Wunden werden wir geheilt.“

Good News - Blaga vest - Frohe Botschaft - Part-9

UPDATE:
Please don't miss below and in previous posts Vladimir D. Janković's wonderful suggestions and brilliant commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

It must have been that the Israelites, spoiled by God's benevolence [favors], didn't think much of [hold greatly to] mere [empty] promises, and that they, whilst battling [fighting in the meantime] with [their] infidel neighbors [, the unbelievers], demanded something reliable [more definite], some physical [bodily], irrefutable [irrevocable] sign of heavenly care [favor].

Mora biti da Izrailjci, razmaženi božjim milodarima, nisu mnogo držali do pukih obećanja, i da su, mlateći se u međuvremenu s neverničkim susedima, zahtevali nešto pouzdano, neki telesno neopozivi znak nebeske brige.

Es ist möglich das die Israeliten, von Gottes Wohlwollen verwöhnt, nicht viel von bloßen Versprechungen hielten, und dass sie, während den Prügeleien mit Ungläubigen Nachbarn, etwas zuverlässiges, ein physisches, unwiderlegbares Zeichen der himmlischen Fürsorge verlangten.

Vladimir D. Janković:

Benevolence may be the best solution. There are other options: charity, or almsgiving. Those two words are closer to the original if we opt for a rigid approach. But milodar is not the same as milostinja; it is more a gift than something we give to a beggar. So, benevolence isn’t bad at all. Although, this almsgiving might be tempting, too…

… and that they, wilst… Yes, I think there should be this that they, by all means. Otherwise there’d be a confusion, I guess.

Battling is better than fighting in the meantime, and the other alternative solutions are plausible, as well (reliable, physical, irrefutable).

… sign of heavenly care. – Maybe it could be heavenly concern? Or, better, heavenly attention? Even heavenly care itself isn’t bad. I’d say we shouldn’t change it.

Good News - Blaga vest - Frohe Botschaft - Part-8

UPDATE:
Please don't miss below and in previous posts Vladimir D. Janković's wonderful suggestions and brilliant commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

Israel, luckily [by good fortune], had not been [wasn't] condemned to lifelong suffering. The prophets, the angry interpreters of the gods, had prophesied a better fate: Hear, O Israel, — they sayeth [said], — God, who bestowed upon [gave] you Amram's [his adopted] foundling Moses to deliver you from the enslaved body [to free you from captivity of the body], will give you his only-begotten son to deliver [free] you from sin, the yoke [bondage] of the soul. And he will not be one of those false saviors which all peoples have at all times. His kingdom will not be of this but of another [that] world, and in his hand[s] he will not hold a sword but an olive branch!

Izrailj, srećom, ne beše osuđen na doživotnu patnju. Proroci, gnevni tumači bogova, prorekoše mu bolju sudbinu: Čuj, Izrailju, — govorahu oni. — Bog ti je darovao Amramovo [Avramovo] posvojče Mojsija da te izbavi iz ropstva tela, daće ti i sina svog jedinorodnoga da te izbavi iz greha, jarma duše. I neće to biti jedan od prevarnih [prevarenih] spasitelja, koje imaju u svim vremenima svi narodi. Njegovo carstvo neće biti od ovog, nego od onog sveta, i u ruci neće držati mač, već grančicu maslinovu!

Israel, zum Glück, wurde nicht zum lebenslangen Leiden verurteilt. Die Propheten, die wütenden Dolmetscher der Götter, hatten ein besseres Schicksal prophezeit: Höre, Israel, — sagten sie. — Gott, der euch Amrams Findling Moses schenkte um euch vom versklavten Körper zu erlösen, wird euch seinen eingeborenen Sohn geben, um euch von der Sünde zu erlösen, das Joch der Seele. Und es wird nicht einer der betrügerischen Erlöser sein, die alle Völker zu allen Zeiten haben. Sein Reich wird nicht von dieser sondern von jener Welt sein, und in seiner Hand wird er nicht das Schwert, sondern einen Olivenzweig halten!

Vladimir D. Janković:

Bestowed upon is great, I think.

*  *  *

This is what's written in the Serbian original: ... 
 da te izbavi iz ropstva tela, daće ti i sina svog jedinorodnoga da te izbavi iz greha, jarma duše.
BODY is what makes him a slave, BODY is his tyrant, and he is its slave who is about to be delivered (ropstvo tela, the slavery of the body).

*  *  *

Deliver, deliver – Pekić uses this verb twice, I don’t see why we should change it… So, this would be: … his only-begotten son to deliver you from sin, this yoke of the soul. Yes, I believe that this yoke is convenient, too.

*  *  *

False saviors – This option is not bad at all. There are some other possibilities – fraudulent or deceptive, for instance – but false seems better to me. If we have to opt for a different solution, deceptive is more convincing than fraudulent.

Good News - Blaga vest - Frohe Botschaft - Part-7

UPDATE:
Please don't miss below and in previous posts Vladimir D. Janković's wonderful suggestions and brilliant commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

And scattered She was (they were) [They would be scattered] to the four corners of the earth [world] like [as the] indestructible ash of some [very] ancient primal myth of suffering; a myth whose episodes are [were] still to be enumerated and whose end is still to be conceived [still isn't known].

I razvejan bi na četiri strane sveta kao neuništivi pepeo neke prastare uzor-legende o stradanju; legende čije epizode još nisu izređane i čiji kraj još nije zamišljen.

Und verstreut in die vier Ecken der Erde, wie die unverwüstliche Asche eines uralten Mythos des Leidens; ein Mythos, dessen Folgen noch ungewiss sind und dessen Ende noch unbekannt ist.

*  *  *

Interesting reference: For nearly 2,000 years, religious Jews have faced the city of Jerusalem three times daily and chanted the following prayer: 

Sound the great trumpet for our freedom, Raise the banner for gathering our exiles, And gather us together from THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH into our own land.

Vladimir D. Janković:

I have to ask: why a people should be – She? I don't say it's not correct, no; on the contrary, it's very intriguing, inspiring. But, why? And – let's quote Sir Lawrence and Rabbi Dustin – is it safe?

... and scattered It/She/the people was to the four corners of the world as if It/She was the indestructible ash of some ancient primal myth of suffering; a myth whose episodes are still to be listed, and whose end is still to be conceived.

*  *  *

1) Yes, earth is in the Bible references... It's earth, not world.

*  *  *

2) Ancient primal myth is fine – only there shouldn't be this dash between primal and myth.

*  *  *

3) Enumerated is valid, absolutely. The option listed looks somewhat modern, but it's also more neutral, less mathematical. Itemized is too businesslike, particularized is too statistical or scientific.

*  *  *

4) ... and whose end is still to be conceived... – great solution, shouldn't be changed. 

Good News - Blaga vest - Frohe Botschaft - Part-6

UPDATE:
Please don't miss below and in previous posts Vladimir D. Janković's wonderful suggestions and brilliant commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

Why he chose the tribes of Ivrim [the Hebrews] upon whom to wreak [pour out] his almighty favor, they themselves [he himself] couldn't explain; and the misfortunes that [which] followed [accompanied] them [from that time on] since wherever they went, seemed to bear witness that the most powerful of friends is above all [also] the greatest bearer of evil. Borne [Led] out of Noah's litter [stock], thrown into Egyptian slavery and drawn from it [that as] like raw suet [is] thrown on the fire to soften [clarify it], [the people of] Israel was [were to be] sent into Canaan with the solemn [unambiguous] promise that, after [they had] subjugated [it], they would find their peace in that land [country].

Like hell they did [they didn't]!

Zašto je odabrao baš pleme Ivrim da na njemu iskali svoju previšnju naklonost, to ni ono ne može da objasni; a nevolje koje su ga od tada sledile kud god bi krenulo kao da svedoče da su najmoćniji prijatelji mahom i najzlonosniji. Izveden iz Nojevog nakota, bačen u misirsko ropstvo, pa iz njega izvađen kao što se sirov loj baca na vatru da omekša, Izrailj bi poslat u Hanan s nedvosmislenim obećanjem da će, pošto ga pokori, u toj zemlji naći svoj mir.

Đavola ga je našao!

Warum er die Stämme der Hebräer erkoren hatte, sie mit seiner Allerhöchsten Zuneigung zu verheeren, konnten sie selbst nicht erklären; und das Unglück, das sie von diesem Zeitpunkt an überallhin verfolgte, schien zu bezeugen, dass vor allem der mächtigste Freund der gemeingefährlichste [größte Träger des Bösen] ist. Entsprossen von Noahs Wurf, versklavt in Ägypten und herausgelöst [in die ägyptische Sklaverei geworfen und extrahiert], wie Hammelfett auf dem Feuer erweicht, wurde Israel mit dem eindeutigen Versprechen nach Kanaan gesandt, das, nachdem überwältigt, sie in diesem Land ihren Frieden finden würden.

Zum Teufel damit; sie fanden ihn nicht!


Vladimir D. Janković:

Why he chose the tribes of the Hebrews upon whom to unleash [pour out] his almighty benevolence [favor], he himself couldn't explain… 

Hebrews could be Ivrim, alright? The option with benevolence is undoubtedly acceptable. I just have a suggestion: maybe we could try with „… upon whom to wreak his almighty favor…“ There is some fierce parody, as Radomir Smiljanić would say, in its very melody.

* * * 

… and the misfortunes which from here on (out) followed [accompanied] them [from that time on] wherever they went, 

… and the misfortunes that followed them since wherever they went... 

A simpler option. 

* * * 

… seemed to bear witness that the most powerful of friends are [is] above all [also] the greatest bearer of evil.

…seemed to bear witness that the most powerful friends are mainly the most evilburdened ones. 

When we say evilburdened, we express compassion and benevolence towards those tormented friends. They do bear evil, but they might not bear it as a willingly chosen token of power, but as a gruesome burden. 

* * * 

Stemming from [Led out of] Noah's paltry litter ... 

I think litter is sufficient, can’t see the purpose of paltry. Maybe I’m wrong, of course. 

* * *

 … thrown into Egyptian slavery and extracted, like throwing raw suet onto fire to soften, [and drawn from that as raw suet is thrown on the fire to clarify it], the people of Israel were to be sent into Canaan with the unequivocal [unambiguous] promise that, after they had subjugated it, they would find their peace in that country. 

I would say: … thrown into Egyptian slavery then liberated, like a crude tallow thrown into

fire to mellow, the people of Israel were sent to Canaan with an unambiguous promise that, after they had subjugated it… 

The letter play tallow-mellow attracts attention: it maybe has no deeper meaning, but it has a charm. 

Any such promise should certainly be unambiguous, because the adjective unequivocal bear something insided, something intimate; it is not obligating, but contemplative. 

* * *

 The sentence „Đavola ga je našao!“ shoud be reconsidered, also. Look at that thunderous Zum Teufel damit: that’s the music for a warrior’s ears! English version – „Like hell they did“ – looks like extracted from The Sex and the City. Borislav’s own „Đavola ga je našao!“ is more peoplish, if I put it right; this sentence you can seldom hear on a marketplace. So, I would accentuate the One-whose-name-should-not-be-mentioned: „The Devil, that is what they found!“

Good News - Blaga vest - Frohe Botschaft - Part-5

UPDATE:
Please don't miss below and in previous posts Vladimir D. Janković's wonderful suggestions and brilliant commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

Between the red-rusty caverns of Idumaea and the dun-colored [grey] plateau of Aram; between the limp Jordan basin and the Mediterranean; from the seven-faceted [the challenge is to make a sensible connection to the idea of  "...1st millennium CE Jewish scholars developed an elaborate system of Seven Heavens"], dense and low (hanging) heavens, to the rolling land of yellow groves, yellow dunes and yellow fields, stretches lazily Eretz Israel, which Jehovah gave to his favored people to occupy. [Eretz Israel, which Jehovah gave as a possession to his favored people, lazily stretched between the rust-colored caverns of Idumaea and the gray plateau of Aram, between the fertile Jordan basin and the Mediterranean, from the dense, low heavens to the rolling land of yellow groves, yellow caverns and yellow fields under the plow.]

Između rđastih pešteri Idumeje i sure aramske visoravni, između mlitavog sliva Jordana i Sredozemlja, od sedmolikog, gustog i niskog neba do grbavog tla žutih gajeva, žutih peščara i žutih oranica, prostire se leno Erek Jisrael, koji je Jahve dao u pritežanje svom narodu-mezimcu.

Zwischen den rot-rostigen Höhlen von Idumaea und der dunfarbenen Hochebene von Aram; zwischen dem schlaffen Flussbett des Jordan und dem Mittelmeer; aus den dichten und tief hängenden Sieben Himmeln zu den rollenden Hügeln und gelben Hainen, gelben Dünen und gelben Felder, erstreckt sich träge Eretz Israel, das Jehova seinem bevorzugten Volk zu Beherrschung (über)gab.

Vladimir D. Janković:

Those rust-colored caverns first. Yes, the standard translation for the word pešter is cave, or cavern, but when did you see a rust-coloured (rđasta) cavern? It’s always dark in a cave, so any red, rusty nuance just cannot dominate in such places... Altough, it’s Idumaea, not Western or Southwestern Serbia, for instance, where caves are deep gray, black-green, echoing with sounds of water.

So, the rust-colored pešters should be rust-colored ravines; yes, these are ravines, they can be seen from outside, they are not hidden from the Sun.

* * *

Dun-colored... Great solution. It evokes a desert (dune). Let’s leave it as it is.

* * *

Limp Jordan basin... Well, what about bedridden Jordan basin? Pure madness.

* * *

Why not seven-faceted, pregnant, low skies? There is some Alabamian ambiance in it, what do you say? With Skynard plane falling from those pregnant, low skies?

* * *

I would put dunes, as a connection with dun-colored.

* * *

Stretches lazily – good.

* * *

…which Jehovah gave to his favored people to control/rule. 
It could be like this: ... which Jehovah bestowed to his beloved people to govern.

Good News - Blaga vest - Frohe Botschaft - Part-4

UPDATE:
Please don't miss further below Vladimir D. Janković's wonderful suggestions and brilliant commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

And when, with effective assistance [the benevolent help] of heavenly frogs, lice and locusts, the people of Israel at last took courage to begin their miserable wanderings to their home, and when the distrustful halted to observe it [look closer upon], Moses, in the invisible company [went up into the invisible presence] of God, climbed the peak of Nebo [on the mountain of Nebo], and behold: the land before the Hebrew people and before the eyes of the dying Lawreceiver [Lawgiver] was Canaan, the Promised Land.

A kada se, uz delotvornu pomoć nebeskih žaba, vašaka i skakavaca, Izrailjci najzad odvažiše da otpočnu prvo od svojih zlehudih potucanja za Domom, i kada se nepoverljivi zaustaviše da ga osmotre, ispe se Mojsije u nevidljivom društvu Gospoda na vis Navav, i gle: zemlja pred narodom Ivrim i mrtvim zakonoprimčevim očima beše Hanan, Zemlja obećana.

Und als, mit wirksamer Hilfe von himmlischen Fröschen, Läusen und Heuschrecken, Israel endlich den Mut nahm die erste ihrer unglücklichen Wanderungen zu ihrem Verheißungsland zu beginnen; und als die Argwöhnischen/Misstrauischen verharrten um es zu bemustern, bestieg Moses in Gottes unsichtbarer Anwesenheit die Spitze Nebo, und siehe da: das Land vor dem Hebräischen Volk und vor den Augen des sterbenden Gesetzesempfängers war Kanaan, das Gelobte Land.

Vladimir D. Janković:

* * * 

And when, with the benevolent help of heavenly frogs, lice and locusts… 

Here I would preserve this delightfully concealed, subtle irony, and say it like this: 

And when, with effective assistance of heavenly frogs, lice and locusts… (We don’t need, I guess, that „the“ before „effective“ or, as it was, „benevolent“.) 

* * * 

… and when the distrustful halted to appraise/assess [look closer upon] it… 

I have an interesting idea; there is something beefy, something livestocky, and, yet, contemplating in those who don’t believe… Anyway, wasn’t Hera honoured by the nickname Cowlike (Kravolika)? So, I’d put it this way: 

… and when the distrustful halted to observe it… 

* * * 

I think, by the way, that distrustful is quite a good option here. 

* * * 

Our famous zakonoprimač from that charming Vračarian café Privé should definitely be a Lawreceiver. Look at this quote from The Book of Philippians: „ I am not the lawgiver, but lawreceiver“. Even the traditionally sober precursor of anthropology Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu, or, simply, Montesquieu (1689– 1755) mentions „particular (that is, privileged) relations between the lawmaker and the lawreceiver“. 

* * *

Good News - Blaga vest - Frohe Botschaft - Part-3

UPDATE:
Please don't miss further below Vladimir D. Janković's as well as Maximilian Brust's wonderful suggestions and rich commentary:

Color codes: 
Orange—please help me with your thoughts and ideas in the comment section
Red—I need even more help ;)
Blue—these are omissions in the English translation
Light Green—reviewed changes implemented :))
Green—changes supported by authoritative sources, i.e. Bible
[italics]—discarded English translations

In Canaan (Avraham) Avinu begat Isaac [Isaac was born to Abraham], father of the Ivrim (the Hebrew nations) [the people of Israel]. And Isaac begat the hairy Esau, who was the ancestor of Edom, and Jacob, who was to be christened (bear the name of) [be called] Israel. And Jacob begat, some by his wife and some by his concubine: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulon, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Naphthali, Asher and the ill-fated [wretched] Joseph, who led his brethren into the province of Goshen in the land of Khem, those twelve who were the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel. That was the time of the first enslavement [captivity]. And when the toiling levies build [they built with forced labor] the cities of Pithom and Rameses, there was born of the tribe of Levi, Moses [the son of] ben Amram [Abraham], who, led by a pillar of fire—[by] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—brought his people out of Egyptian slavery in the days that [which] are still [today called] the Days of Exodus. And to him, the Lawreceiver [Lawgiver], spake that God [spoke] in a thunderous (levinous) voice [of thunder]: "I am He Who Is [Was], He Who Was [Is] and He Who Will Be. I am thy Lord God and thou shalt have no other gods before me!" Invisible and formless, God burned in a parched bramble [thorn] bush in the midst of Horeb; although it was burning, it was not consumed, and there could be no doubt [but although burning it was not consumed nor could there be any doubt] of his holy Word, nor of his power to maintain [command] the respect of the chosen people towards it.

And there was evening and there was morning. And there was Law. Who knows on which day.

Vladimir D. Janković:

In Canaan, Isaac was born to Abraham, father of the Israelites [people of Israel]. 

There is no reason why we should not leave Ivrim. Father of Ivrim, that’s the legitimate construction, in English, as well as in Yidish and Serb (You see, I rather use adjective Serb than Serbian).

* * * 

… and Jacob, who was to be christened [called] Israel. 

I would opt for: … and Jacob, who was to bear the name of Israel. This is a more neutral option – we don’t have to go into differentiation between christening, baptising, naming, giving name, etc. And to bear the name has a desirable archaic note.

* * * 

…Asher and the wretched Joseph… 

Here I would rather say ill-fated. That’s it. Another, a slightly lighter option is miserable. But, yes, it’s ill-fated, definitely. It’s more neutral than accursed – well, no one mentions anything like curse here.

* * * 

And when they built with forced labor the cities of Pithom and Rameses… à propos građahu kulučarski.

A rather risky trick seems appealing to me: And when the levies built the cities of Pithom and Rameses… Maybe even to accentuate: And when the toiling levies built. It’s really alluring to use the word levy in this context.

* * *

…izvede svoj narod iz misirskog sužanjstva, u dane koji su još i dani Izlaska 

It means: in the days that are also known as the Days of Exodus

* * * 

And to him, the Lawreceiver [Lawgiver], spake this very God [spoke] in a thundering voice… 

As I assume, the word Lawreceiver has been adopted, hasn’t it? 

This „spake“ is spoke, yes? 

I would say coldly: that God (taj Bog), or this Bog (ovaj Bog). In the spirit of the original. 

„Thundering“ could be replaced… I would say levinous – from the noun levin, which means lightning, thunderbolt (munja). Levinous is witty, playful here – it connects to the levy, levies mentioned above. 

* * * 

I found this Roman Catholic Church interpretation: 

I AM HE WHO IS, I AM WHO AM or I AM WHO I AM. 

It seems that Pekić himself made a mistake: his „am, was and will be“ wasn’t the meaning of this sentence. God, namely, didn't want to say that he is past, present and future; He, seemingly, said that He is who is (Ja sam taj koji jeste), which means: you know who IS here, who claims the right on the verb „to be“? This is Me. Then, you have that „I am who am“ (Ja sam taj koji jesam): „I am the One who am – Being is inside Me, it belongs to me Inside. And, finally, the recognizable „I am who I am“ (Ja sam taj koji jesam). But this is, as I said, a Roman Catholic interpretation, plus my Orthodox contemplation. 

* * * 

God burned in a bramble [thorn] bush in the midst of Horeb, but as it was burning yet not consumed… 

First, bramble bush is OK. 

The main issue, now. I would make a slight change in interpunction. Like this: 

… God burned in a bramble bush in the midst of Horeb; although it was burning, it was not consumed, and there could be no doubt… 

I would put this point-comma, and kick the „but“ out. Maybe it’s not acceptable, I wouldn’t know. 

* * * 

…nor of his power to retain/maintain [command] the respect of the chosen people. 

It’s not the respect of the chosen people that He had power to retain/maintain, but the respect of the chosen people towards His holy word. 

So, we could say it like this: 

… nor of his power to maintain the respect of the chosen people towards it (towards the holy word).

U Hananu rodi Avinu Isaka, oca naroda Ivrim. A Isak zače rutavog Isava, koji je otac Edomu, i Jakova, koga će krstiti Izrailj. A Jakov rodi, koje od žena, koje od inoča: Ruvima, Simeona, Levija, Judu, Isahara, Zevulona, Venijamina, Dana, Gada, Neftalima, Asira i zlehudnog Josifa, koji braću povede u provinciju Gošen, zemlje Kema, njih dvanaestoricu rodonačelnika dvanaest izrailjskih plemena. To je vreme prvog ropstva. A kad se građahu kulučarski gradovi Pitom i Ramzes, rodi se u Levijevom klanu Mojsije ben Amram, koji vođen zadimljenim stubom—bogom Avramovim, bogom Isakovim i bogom Jakovljevim—izvede svoj narod iz misirskog sužanjstva, u dane koji su još i dani Izlaska. I njemu, Zakonoprimcu, reče taj Bog munjonosnim glasom: „Ja sam onaj koji jeste, koji je bio, i koji će biti. Ja sam Gospod bog tvoj, i nemoj imati drugih bogova osim mene!“ Nevidljiv i bezobličan Bog goreo je u jednom žednom kupinovom grmu sred Horiva, ali pošto gorući nije sagorevao, nije moglo biti nikakve sumnje u njegovu svetu Reč, ni u njegovu moć da joj pribavi poštovanje izabranog naroda.

I bi veče, i bi jutro. I bi Zakon. Dan ko zna koji.

In Kanaan erzeugte (Avram) Avinu Isaak, Erzvater der Ivrim (Hebräer). Und Isaak zeugte Esau den Behaarten, den Stammvater der Edomiter, und Jakob, der Israel getauft werden sollte [oder... den Namen Israel tragen sollte]. Und Jakob zeugte, teils mit seiner Frau und teils mit seiner Konkubine: Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Juda, Issaschar, Sebulon, Ben-Jamin, Dan, Gad, Naftali, Asser und den beklagenswerten Joseph, der seine Brüder in die Provinz Goshen im Land Khem führte; jene zwölf Stammväter der zwölf Stämme Israels. Das war die Zeit der ersten Versklavung. Und als sie unter der Fron die Städte Pitom und Ramses errichteten, da wurde aus dem Stamm Levi, Moses Ben-Amram geboren, der, von einer Feuersäule geführt—vom Gott Abrahams, vom Gott Isaaks und vom Gott Jakobs [siehe 2.Mose 3,6 & 15]—sein Volk in den Tagen aus der ägyptischen Sklaverei befreite die immer noch die Tage des Exodus sind. Und zu ihm, dem Gesetzesempfänger, sprach dieser Gott mit donnernder Stimme: „Ich Bin Jetzt, der Ich immer War und immer Sein Werde. [oder...Ich bin Der, Der Ist, Der War und immer Sein Wird...]. Ich bin der HERR, dein Gott und du sollst keine anderen Götter haben neben mir.“ [siehe 2.Mose 20] Unsichtbar und formlos, brannte Gott in einem dürren Brombeerstrauch in der Mitte von Horeb, aber die Flammen verzehrten ihn nicht, und es konnte kein Zweifel an seinem heiligen Wort bestehen, noch an seiner Macht, den Respekt des auserwählten Volkes zu erhalten.

Und es wurde Abend und wurde Morgen. Und es ward das Gesetz. Wer weiß, an welchem ​​Tag.

Maximilian Brust:

„Und Isaak zeugte den haarigen Esau, der Stammvater der Edomiter, und …“ „haarig“ benutzt man üblicherweise nicht, das klingt belustigend oder informell; wenn wir das nicht wollen, wovon ich hier ob der Nüchternheit ausgehe (liegt am Englischen), nehmen wir „den behaarten Esau“ oder sogar „Esau den Behaarten“, da die Bedeutung seines Namens auch „der Behaarte“ bzw. „der Haarige“ ist. Wenn du unbedingt bei „haarig“ bleiben willst, dann besser „Esau den Haarigen“. Etwa als Anklang einer Spitze, funktionieren die beiden letzten auch ... 
 (damit wir hier auch keine Chancen auf kleine Späße auslassen, wird er auch beschrieben als „rötlich, am ganzen Leib wie ein härener Mantel". Fulminant!) 
 Des Weiteren ist nicht unmöglich zu sagen „zeugte Esau den Behaarten, der Stammvater der Edomiter“,aber da ‚zeugen‘ mit Akkusativ steht, wäre eigentlich korrekt „zeugte Esau den Behaarten, den Stammvater der Edomiter, …“

* * * 

„einige …, einige“ passt natürlich, deutscher wäre eventuell ‚teils …, teils‘ oder ‚zum Teil…, zum Teil‘

* * * 

„und den unseligen Joseph“; „unselig“ heißt zwar auch unglücklich, aber meinem Empfinden tendiert es eher zu einer personal negativen Konnotation, was wahrscheinlich nicht gemeint ist („wretched“ als Alternative deutet das an), also vielleicht tatsächlich „unglücklich“ oder aber „beklagenswerten“ oder „bedauernswerten“

* * * 

Und als sie im Fron die Städte Pitom und Ramses errichteten, da wurde aus dem Stamm Levi, Moses Ben-Amram geboren, der, von einer Feuersäule geführt — der Gott Abrahams, der Gott Isaaks und der Gott Jakobs [siehe 2.Mose 3,6 & 15] — sein Volk in den Tagen aus der ägyptischen Sklaverei befreite, die immer noch die Tage des Exodus sind. 

 „im Fron“ wäre fein, aber ‚Fron‘ ist fem., also müssen wir ausweichen auf „unter der Fron“ 

 „,der Gott Abrahams, der Gott Isaaks und der Gott Jakobs“; nicht unmöglich, aber dann müssen die Gedankenstriche direkt hinter „Feuersäule“ stehen, sonst, um im Kasus zu bleiben, „dem Gott“ oder „vom Gott“ 

 „, die immer noch die Tage des Exodus sind.“ Zunächst Komma für den Relativsatz. Und dann können wir das so nicht sagen. „, die noch immer die Tage des Exodus genannt werden.“ (passend zu „den Tagen“ zuvor) /„, noch immer genannt (die Tage des) Exodus.“ (max. kurz)/„, die noch immer als Tage des Exodus gelten.“/„, noch immer bekannt als die Tage des Exodus“/“, noch immer bezeichnet durch die Tage des Exodus/als Exodus“

* * * 

Eventuell „gewaltig“ statt „donnernd“; jedenfalls müssen wir recherchieren, was der exakte theologische Wortlaut für „Gesetzesempfänger“ ist, das geht so, denke ich, nicht

* * * 

Unsichtbar und formlos, brannte Gott in einem dürren Brombeerstrauch in der Mitte von Horeb, aber die Flammen verzehrten ihn nicht, und es konnte kein Zweifel an seinem heiligen Wort bestehen, noch an seiner Macht, den Respekt des auserwählten Volkes zu erhalten. 

Komma entfällt wenn diese Apposition am Satzanfang steht, in Kommas, wenn wir sie weiter hinten einfügen („Gott, unsichtbar und formlos, brannte …“). Wir könnten auch sagen „loderte auf in“, weil sonst „brannte in“ seltsam ist (er erschien als brennender Dornbusch, es sei denn, das ist wieder mit Ironie versehen, wofür einiges spricht bei dieser Kiste mit dem dürren Brombeerstrauch). Es könnte auch lauten „… und ob er doch brannte, verzehrten ihn die Flammen nicht, und es konnte weder Zweifel bestehen an seinem heiligen Wort, noch an seiner Macht, die Achtung/Ehrfurcht des auserwählten Volkes davor/vor dem Wort aufrechtzuerhalten/zu bewahren.“ 
Höchstens noch alternativ, unpathetisch: „weder …, noch daran, dass er es vermochte, sich die Achtung des auserwählten Volkes vor seinem Wort zu erhalten.“ Das ist gut.