20:26

Paul spoke as a witness on his own behalf as he declared how he had conducted himself among them. At every opportunity, Paul had told people about Jesus. So if any of those people did not believe in Jesus and God sent them to hell, it would not be because Paul did not tell them about Jesus. Use language that is appropriate for solemnly declaring something.

testify: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as testify is similar to the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “testifying” in 20:24d. It probably has the same meaning here: “proclaim earnestly.” Other ways to translate this word are:

declare (New International Version)
-or-
tell…solemnly (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
definitely/firmly tell

this day: This word in Greek is literally: “on the today day.” It emphasizes the day that Paul spoke these words. For example:

this very day (Good News Translation)

But the New International Version and some other English versions do not translate the emphasis. The Berean Standard Bible translates it as this day .

I am innocent of the blood of all men: Here the phrase the blood is a metaphor for death. To have “someone’s blood upon you” means to be guilty of killing them. Paul used this metaphor here to indicate that he preached about Jesus at every opportunity. He was innocent of neglecting to tell them. Therefore God, when he judges all people, would not hold him responsible for anyone not believing in Jesus.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the words literally and explain the metaphor in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Paul used this metaphor here to indicate that he preached about Jesus at every opportunity. He was innocent of neglecting to tell them about him. Therefore God, when he judges all people, would not blame him for anyone not believing in Jesus.

• Translate the meaning of the metaphor in your translation. For example:

if any of you should be lost, I am not responsible (Good News Translation)
-or-
I am not responsible for the [spiritual] death of any of you. (God’s Word)
-or-
I am innocent of neglecting to tell any of you about Jesus, so God will not blame me if anyone does not believe in him.

You may then want to indicate the literal words in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “I am innocent of the blood of all ⌊people⌋.”

innocent: The word innocent means “not guilty of a crime or sin.” God told him to tell others about Jesus, and Paul did that. Other ways to translate this word are:

have not sinned regarding
-or-
am not guilty of

of all men: This phrase in Greek is literally “of all.” Paul preached about Jesus at every opportunity in every place he went.

Here the English word men refers to people. For example:

of all people

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