20:3a
where he stayed three months: This clause tells the reader more about Greece. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other places named Greece and Paul only stayed in this one. If that is true in your language, translate this information in a way that tells more about what Paul did in Greece. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:
He stayed there three months.
20:3b–c
And when the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia: The words And when introduce the reason that Paul decided to go back through Macedonia. Another way to translate this connection is:
He was getting ready to go to Syria when he discovered that there were Jews plotting against him; so he decided to go back through Macedonia. (Good News Translation)
20:3b
the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria: In the Greek clause and the Berean Standard Bible, the circumstances are given after what happened. In some languages the circumstances must be given first. For example:
just as he was about to sail for Syria, the Jews made a plot against him
the Jews formed a plot against him: The phrase formed a plot against indicates that the Jews planned ways to harm Paul. Other ways to translate this clause are:
some Jews were planning something against him (New Century Version)
-or-
he found out that the Jews were plotting to kill him (God’s Word)
the Jews: Here this phrase does not imply all the Jews. Luke did not say where these Jews were from. It may have been Jews from the nearest city (some scholars think it is Corinth) or Jews traveling from their homes elsewhere to Jerusalem for the Passover. Do not say where these Jews were from and do not imply that all Jews made this plot. For example:
some Jews
he was about to sail for Syria: This clause indicates that Paul would soon get on a ship that was going to Syria. For example:
he was about to board a ship going to Syria
Syria: Syria was a province under Roman rule. It was far east of Greece. It is previously mentioned in Acts three times (15:23, 15:41, 18:18). If you indicated that Syria was a province in one of those verses, you may not need to indicate that it refers to a province again here.
But in some languages people are not familiar with this name. You may want to indicate again what the name refers to here. For example:
⌊the province of⌋ Syria
See how you spelled this name in 15:23.
20:3c
go back through Macedonia: The phrase go back probably refers to returning to Syria. Here he decided to take a longer way back through Macedonia. He had already visited Macedonia on this trip (20:1–2).
In some languages it is clearer to say where he would go back. If that is true in your language, refer to Syria. For example:
go back ⌊there⌋ through Macedonia
-or-
go back ⌊to Syria⌋ through Macedonia ⌊again⌋
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