Paragraph 26:1–3

26:1a

You have permission to speak for yourself: This phrase in Greek is literally “to speak concerning yourself is permitted.” King Agrippa allowed Paul to speak on anything that would relate to him being a prisoner.

This clause is passive. King Agrippa permitted Paul to speak. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊I⌋ allow you to speak for yourself.

26:1b

Paul stretched out his hand: This clause refers to a polite gesture that shows the person is about to speak. It was a common thing to do to begin a speech at that time. It may have also been a gesture to thank King Agrippa for allowing him to speak. It may have been arm forward and an open hand with palm up or to the side. It was not a gesture asking for silence. In some languages a literal translation will indicate a different meaning. If so, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

Paul motioned with his hand ⌊to begin his speech⌋
-or-
Paul put his hand out ⌊in thanks⌋

• Use a common gesture in your area for beginning a speech here. For example:

Paul bowed

You may then want to indicate the literal words in a footnote and possibly explain it. Some example footnotes are:

Literally “motioned with his hand.”
-or-
Literally “motioned with his hand.” It was a common thing to do to begin a speech at that time. It may have also been a gesture to thank King Agrippa for allowing him to speak.

began his defense: This phrase refers to responding to accusations. The person would explain that he had not done as accused, or that his actions were the right thing to do. See how you translated a similar phrase in 25:8 (“made his defense”).

began: Paul began talking in 26:2 and continued talking until 26:23. The Greek word probably indicates began here.

But in some languages it is more natural to translate without the word began. For example:

made his defense: (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
defended himself as follows: (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 26:1b

The colon (:) at the end of 26:1b and the quote marks at the beginning of 26:2a indicate that 26:2–23 are what Paul said to defend himself. In some languages it is more natural to introduce the speech with the verb “say.” For example:

began his defense, ⌊saying⌋

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