1:3a

After His suffering: The word suffering here refers to when Jesus was beaten, mocked, and then died on the cross. In some languages a literal translation would refer to something else. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the implied information. For example:

After his suffering ⌊on the day he died⌋

1:3b

He presented Himself to them: Jesus appeared to the apostles a number of times after he became alive again, as 1:3c makes clear. For example:

he appeared to them many times (Good News Translation)
-or-
he became visible to them ⌊so they saw him⌋ ⌊many times⌋

1:3c

with many convincing proofs that He was alive: This clause refers to the days after God resurrected Jesus. In some languages a literal translation would refer generally to his life. If that is true in your language, include the implied information. For example:

and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive ⌊again⌋
-or-
he proved in many ways that he had been raised from death (Contemporary English Version)

with many convincing proofs: This phrase indicates that Jesus clearly showed the apostles in different ways that he was actually alive again. For example, he let them touch him and he ate with them. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

he proved in many ways (New Century Version)
-or-
showed…in many convincing ways (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
did many things so that they would ⌊thoroughly⌋ know

1:3d

He appeared to them over a span of forty days: These forty days were after Jesus had become alive again and before he went up to heaven. The apostles saw Jesus a number of times during those forty days. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

appeared to them repeatedly over a period of forty days (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
appearing to them during forty days (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time (New Living Translation (2004))

1:3e

the kingdom of God: This phrase refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. It refers to the relationship that he has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king.

Here are some ways to translate this:

• With a noun. For example:

God’s rule/reign
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s chieftaincy
-or-
God’s government

• With a verb. For example:

God rules his people
-or-
God cares for his people as king

God: This word refers here to the eternal spirit who created everything. He is more powerful than any other spirit, and he is perfectly good and wise. He deserves to be worshiped. Here are some ways to translate God:

• Use a name or title for God that people in your culture already use.

• Use a descriptive term that fits the truth about God that is revealed in the Bible. For example:

Creator
-or-
Great Spirit
-or-
Ruler of the universe

• Use a borrowed word from the major language in your area. Choose a term that is acceptable to the believers and interested organizations in your area.

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