Paragraph 24:27

24:27a

Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor (Good News Translation)

succeeded: This verb refers to taking the job of the previous person. First Felix was governor. Then Caesar removed Felix as governor and made Porcius Festus governor. Other ways to translate this word are:

Porcius Festus became governor in place of Felix. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus as governor. (New Century Version)
-or-
Caesar replaced Felix with Porcius Festus ⌊as governor⌋.

24:27b–c

And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison: The word And introduces the reason for leaving Paul in prison. In some languages it is more natural to have the conjunction between the two clauses to be connected. In that case, the conjunction “so” is needed. For example:

Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews so he left Paul in prison.

24:27b

wishing to do the Jews a favor: The phrase do…a favor refers to doing something that would make someone else happy at no cost to that person. The person doing this would not explicitly ask for something in return, but a favor from the other person may be implied. Other ways to translate this clause are:

desiring to do the Jews a favor (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Felix wanted to do something to please the Jews
-or-
Felix wanted to please the Jews, so he left Paul in prison

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