26:3a

especially since you are acquainted: This clause in Greek is literally “especially you being an expert” with the word “expert” following the word “especially.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) The word especially connects to the whole clause (26:3a–b). For example:

particularly since you know so well (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, English Standard Version, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) The word especially connects to expert. For example:

because you are especially familiar (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, God’s Word, NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the more so because you are an expert (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
particularly as you are expert (Revised English Bible)

This clause implies the words “I consider myself fortunate” from 26:2a, but does not repeat it here. In some languages it is more natural to repeat these words here. For example:

and ⌊I consider myself⌋ even more ⌊fortunate⌋ that you are an expert

26:3b

the Jewish customs: Here the word customs refers to habits and things that people usually do. Here, it refers mostly to religious duties and practices. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the Jewish ⌊religious⌋ practices
-or-
the usual ways that the Jews do things

controversies: This word refers to topics that people disagree about. This is the same Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “contentions” in 25:19. See how you translated the Greek word there.

26:3c

I beg you…to listen: Here the word beg refers to earnestly asking. You should not use a word that implies begging for money or things. For example:

I ask you, then, to listen (Good News Translation)
-or-
Now please listen (New Living Translation (2004))

patiently: This word refers to being calm while waiting for something to happen. Paul wanted King Agrippa to calmly listen while Paul told his story. Paul also spoke in a polite way to help make the king ready to listen.

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