22:3a
I am a Jew: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a Jew is literally “a Jewish man.” But it is more common in English to say a Jew.
Tarsus of Cilicia: Tarsus was the capital city of the province of Cilicia. This phrase occurs in 21:39. See how you translated it there. If you explained that Tarsus was a city and Cilicia was a province in 21:39, you may not want to repeat that implied information here.
22:3b
raised: Here this word refers to what parents do for a child from birth to the time the child becomes an adult. Here it probably refers to the time Paul was one year old or so to the time he was thirteen years old.
This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
⌊my parents⌋ raised
this city: This phrase refers to Jerusalem.
22:3c
I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in strict conformity is literally “according to strictness.” There are two ways to connect this phrase:
(1) It connects to the law. For example:
educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers (English Standard Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, English Standard Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, King James Version)
(2) It connects to educated. For example:
Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers (New International Version)
(New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek is literally “according to strictness of the law,” where “of” would normally connect to “strictness.” Other ways to translate this clause are:
as a student of Gamaliel. I received strict instruction in the Law of our ancestors (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I was educated under Gamaliel to very carefully obey the laws of our fathers
I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel: In the Greek, the phrase at the feet of Gamaliel is emphasized by being placed before the Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as I was educated. If possible emphasize this phrase in your language. For example:
At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated
This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active or intransitive clause. For example:
Gamaliel taught me thoroughly
-or-
I was a student of Gamaliel (Contemporary English Version)
educated: This word refers to a teacher teaching his students. Other ways to translate this word are:
trained (New International Version)
-or-
taught (New Jerusalem Bible)
at the feet of Gamaliel: This phrase indicates that Paul was a student of Gamaliel.
Gamaliel: The Jews knew and greatly respected Gamaliel as a teacher of the Jewish law. He spoke in 5:34–39. See how you spelled his name there.
law of our fathers: This phrase refers to Jewish law. It is found in the first five books of the Old Testament. But it probably includes here the traditions of the Pharisees. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
the Law of our ancestors (Good News Translation)
-or-
our Jewish laws and customs (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the laws that our ancestors gave/passed-on to us
our fathers: Here this phrase refers to the ancestors of the Jews. See the examples above.
22:3d
I am just as zealous for God as any of you here today: These words indicate that Paul was zealous for God like the crowd was. Other ways to translate these words are:
was zealous for God just as you ⌊also⌋ are today
-or-
being zealous for God as you all are this day (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I was as devoted to God as all of you are today (God’s Word)
zealous: This word refers to being devoted or committed to something. Paul and the Jews were very committed to serving God. Other ways to translate this word are:
was…dedicated (Good News Translation)
-or-
was…eager to obey God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
was very serious about serving God (New Century Version)
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