No one will be able to harm you translates “no one will come against you to do you harm.” Normally a construction of this type would express purpose; however, in light of verse 12, where an attack was made against Paul, it may be that the meaning is result rather than purpose. Jerusalem Bible suggests purpose, “no one will even attempt to hurt you,” as does Barclay, “no one will try to harm you”; see also New English Bible text and note. On the other hand, Moffatt, “no one shall attack and injure you,” and C. B. Williams, “no one is going to attack you so as to injure you,” suggest result as the meaning of the infinitive construction.

My people recalls the Old Testament terminology, “God’s people”—here not the Jewish people, but the believers. My people may be translated as “people who belong to me.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .