26:20a–d

The Greek conjunction that means “but” starts this verse. But many languages would not indicate contrast here. For example:

Indeed

It is more natural in some languages to omit the Greek conjunction.

First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance: The Berean Standard Bible follows the Greek word order with the main clause I declared after listing the people groups Paul spoke to. In many languages it is more natural to have the main clause first. Therefore the Display has reordered the Berean Standard Bible.

26:20c (reordered)

declared: The Greek word here refers to publicly announcing something. Paul explained what he announced in 26:20c–d. The Greek tense probably indicates that Paul preached for some time. Other ways to translate this word are:

preached (New International Version)
-or-
started preaching (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
spread the message (God’s Word)
-or-
began telling people (New Century Version)

See how you translated this word in 8:4 or 20:25.

repent: This word refers to turning away from sin, expressing sorrow for past sins, and making an effort not to sin that way again. See how you translated this word in 2:38 or 17:30.

turn to God: This is a metaphor. It indicates that a person begins to allow God to lead/guide him. The word also implies obeying God and submitting to him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

follow God
-or-
turn ⌊and go⌋ to God
-or-
submit to God

See how you translated this phrase in 3:19 or 15:19.

26:20d (reordered)

performing deeds worthy of their repentance: This phrase refers to someone doing things that show he has truly repented. This would refer to deeds that clearly show he is following God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

prove their repentance by their deeds (New International Version)
-or-
do the things that would show they had repented (Good News Translation)
-or-
do things to show they really had changed (New Century Version)

26:20a (reordered)

First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem: This phrase in Greek can be translated literally as “first to those in Damascus and also in Jerusalem.” Damascus and Jerusalem were the first two places that Paul preached. He grouped these two places here. He probably also implies preaching to Jews in both places. For example:

First in Damascus and in Jerusalem (Good News Translation)
-or-
first told to the [ Jewish ] people in Damascus and Jerusalem (God’s Word)

But Paul did not go back and forth between these two cities. He was in Damascus first and then in Jerusalem. For example:

first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem (New Century Version)

then to everyone in the region of Judea: Mostly Jews lived in Judea at that time. Paul probably implied preaching to Jews here. Therefore this group of people is similar to the those in Damascus and Jerusalem. The word everyone probably indicates that Paul went to various towns and villages in Judea, and not that he preached to every person in the region of Judea. For example:

and throughout the countryside of Judea (New Revised Standard Version)

26:20b (reordered)

and then to the Gentiles: Paul spoke to Jews and to the Gentiles, as Jesus told him to (26:17). The word “First” occurs in 26:20a, so “then” or “second” would be implied here (this is why the Berean Standard Bible adds the word then). For example:

and ⌊second⌋ to the Gentiles
-or-
and to the Gentiles also (New International Version)

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