20:23a

I only know: The Greek word is literally “except.” Paul did not know exactly what would happen, but he did know that the Holy Spirit had warned him that he would be put in prison and have troubles.

in town after town: This phrase in Greek is literally “along/through city.” It is an idiom that means “in various cities along the way.” The Holy Spirit spoke to Paul about this matter in a number of cities as he traveled to Jerusalem, but not in all of the cities he went to. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in every city (New International Version)
-or-
from city to city
-or-
in various cities

warns: The Greek word is literally “proclaim earnestly.” The Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek word as “testifying” in 20:21a. For example:

declares
-or-
testifies
-or-
makes it clear

See how you translated the word in 20:21.

20:23b

that chains and afflictions await me: In some languages direct speech is more natural here. For example:

‘Chains and afflictions will face you.’

chains: The Greek word is literally “things-that-tie.” It refers to ropes or chains or prison that keep someone from going where he wants. The English versions translate the Greek word as chains here. Other ways to translate this word are:

I will certainly be bound/tied-up there
-or-
I will be imprisoned

afflictions: The Greek word translated as afflictions refers to all kinds of troubles or suffering.

await me: This phrase in Greek is literally await me. It indicates that imprisonment and hardships would happen to Paul some time soon. Paul would probably reach Jerusalem in about a month or two. These things would happen to him there. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in the future I will be imprisoned and experience/have hardships
-or-
soon people will put me in prison and will cause me to suffer

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