18:20

When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined: These two clauses indicate speaking but the actual words were not written. In some languages actual words of speech must be used. For example:

When they asked him, “Could you spend more time with us,” he said “⌊Sorry,⌋ I cannot.”
-or-
They asked him, “Could you spend more time with us?” But he said “⌊Sorry,⌋ I cannot.”

he declined: This word indicates that Paul said no to the request to stay longer. Other ways to translate this word are:

would not consent (Good News Translation)
-or-
he said that he could not

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