23:5a

Brothers: Here the Greek word is literally “brothers.” Paul began speaking in a polite way to the men who spoke to him in 23:4. The address Brothers indicates that Paul was also a Jew.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to Paul’s actual brothers. If that is true in your language, use whatever terms are natural for addressing people from the same ethnic group, who are equal socially. For example:

Colleagues
-or-
Relatives
-or-
My fellow Israelites (Good News Translation)

I was not aware that he was the high priest: Many scholars believe that Paul admitted that he was wrong to say what he did in 23:3. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I did not know…that he was the high priest (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I was not aware…that he was high priest (New American Standard Bible)

Paul probably said this to apologize indirectly. For example, the New Living Translation (2004) makes the apology clearer:

I’m sorry,…I didn’t realize he was the high priest (New Living Translation (2004))

It is not clear why Paul did not recognize him. Do not indicate why in your translation.

23:5b

for: This conjunction introduces an explanation as to why Paul now understands that he should not have spoken 23:3. In some languages the connection needs to made clear. For example:

⌊I should not have said that,⌋ for

In some languages it is more natural to allow the context to indicate the connection and omit the conjunction.

it is written: This clause indicates that Paul quoted the Old Testament (Exodus 22:28). Other ways to translate this clause are:

it is written ⌊in Scripture⌋
-or-

⌊Moses⌋ wrote ⌊in the Scriptures⌋
-or-

⌊the Law of Moses⌋ states

Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people: In the Greek, this command is to one person. Exodus 22:28 is also to one person.

In some languages, a command for all people to follow must use a plural form. For example:

Do not speak(plur) evilly about the ruler of your(plur) people.
-or-

We must not speak evil words about the ruler of our(incl) people.
-or-

People/They must not speak evilly about the ruler of their people.

speak evil: This phrase refers to saying bad things about someone. An example is when Paul called the high priest a “whitewashed wall” (23:3). It is not the same as cursing someone. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

say bad things
-or-
speak harshly
-or-
insult

the ruler: Here the saying about a ruler is general and does not refer to one specific ruler. For example:

a ruler (Revised Standard Version)

General Comment on 23:5b

The part of 23:5b in quotes is a quote from Exodus 22:28. If you footnote the location of quotes from the Old Testament, you may want to do so here.

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