Paragraph 4:19–20
4:19a
But: There is contrast between the leaders telling Peter and John to not speak about Jesus (4:18) and Peter and John refusing to obey them (4:19–20).
Some languages would not see that connection as contrast. If that is true in your language, omit this conjunction or use a natural connection here.
Peter and John replied: Peter probably spoke on behalf of both of them. In some languages, the clause Peter and John replied might indicate that they both spoke the same words at the same time. If your language is like that, translate the correct meaning. For example:
Peter replied on behalf of both of them
4:19b
Judge for yourselves: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Judge for yourselves here means “you(plur) must decide.” Peter told the leaders that they must decide which way was right: obeying God or obeying the leaders. For example:
you decide (NET Bible)
-or-
Decide for yourselves (God’s Word)
whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God: The words whether and rather introduce two statements but only one is correct. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as listen implies obedience and not just hearing. Either it is right to obey people (and disobey God), or it is right to obey God (and disobey people). Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
if it is right in God’s sight to obey you and disobey God, or if it is right to obey God and disobey people
-or-
which is right in God’s sight—to obey you or to obey God (Good News Translation)
in God’s sight: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in God’s sight is literally “before God.” Here it means “as God would consider it right.”
God: See how you translated this word in 4:10c.
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