23:26–30

Verses 26–30 are the commander’s letter to the governor. It may be helpful to your readers to use indents or another format that will show that what follows is the letter. The Berean Standard Bible is one example.

The Good News Translation puts the whole letter in quotes. For example:

26“Claudius Lysias to His Excellency, Governor Felix…30cI have told his accusers to make their charges against him before you.”

23:26a

Claudius Lysias: Claudius Lysias is the name of the commander who wrote this letter.

Here the writer identified himself. In some languages, it is more natural to use a complete sentence here. For example:

⌊I am⌋ Claudius Lysias.
-or-

⌊I,⌋ Claudius Lysias, ⌊write⌋

23:26b

His Excellency: This phrase was an address of honor to people of high social status, like a governor. Felix was more important in status than the commander. Use a word or phrase from your language with that meaning.

See how you translated this Greek word in Luke 1:3 (“most excellent”).

23:26c

Greetings: The Greek word here is literally “to rejoice.” People at that time used this word as a greeting to begin a letter. Other ways to translate this word are:

I greet you!
-or-
I give you goodness

Use the usual word or phrase of greeting in your language that would be fitting for someone of high position.

See how you translated this word in 15:23.

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