28:20a

So for this reason: This probably refers to the evil deeds that the Jewish leaders accused Paul of doing in Jerusalem. Those evil deeds, if proven, would require the death penalty. Paul did not say what they accused him of (28:17–18). He also appealed to Caesar (28:19) because his life was in danger from attack by the Jewish leaders, but he did not plan to accuse the Jews of wrongdoing before the Romans (28:19c).

In some languages “that” is more natural than this here. For example:

For that reason
-or-
That is why (Good News Translation)
-or-
Because of those things/events

28:20b

It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain: The clause I am bound is the result of Paul believing in the hope of Israel. Other ways to indicate this connection are:

I’m wearing these chains because of what Israel hopes for (God’s Word)
-or-
I am bound with this chain because I believe in the hope of Israel. (New Century Version)
-or-

⌊I believe in⌋ the hope of Israel, so ⌊as a result⌋ I am bound with this chain.
-or-

⌊I believe in⌋ the person ⌊whom we people of⌋ Israel expect would come, and so ⌊the Jewish leaders forced the Roman authorities to⌋ bind/tie me with this chain.

the hope of Israel: This phrase refers to the person whom God promised to send and save the people of Israel. The Jewish leaders in Rome knew about that promise, so they did not need Paul to explain it to them. In many languages the meaning of a literal translation will not be clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally and explain it in a footnote. Two example footnotes are:

This phrase refers to God’s promise of a savior for the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel waited with great expectation for that savior at that time.
-or-
This phrase refers to the person whom God promised to send and save the people of Israel. At that time many of the people of Israel waited expectantly for that person to come.

• Translate the implied meaning. For example:

the expected Messiah/savior of Israel
-or-
the person whom the people of Israel expected would come and save them

You may then want to indicate the literal words in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally “the hope of Israel.”

Paul believed that Jesus was that savior and wanted to explain why he believed that to the Jewish leaders in Rome. But he did not plainly say that Jesus was that savior at this time.

I am bound with this chain: The word bound indicates that the Roman soldiers had fastened a fetter around Paul’s wrist. The fetter had a chain attached to it. The drawing below shows a fetter at each end of the chain. It is not known if Paul’s chain had one or two fetters.

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