SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:31

Paragraph 16:31–34

16:31a

They replied: This clause in Greek is literally “they said.” But Paul and Silas responded to the question of the jailer, so many English versions translate like the Berean Standard Bible.

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved:
The first clause is a command. It is used as an invitation to believe. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly be a demand and not an invitation. If that is true in your language, translate the first clause as an invitation. For example:

Please believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved
-or-
If you believe in the Lord Jesus, you will be saved
-or-
Would you believe in the Lord Jesus? Then he/God will save you.

Believe in the Lord Jesus: This indicates that he must believe who Jesus is, what he did, and accept him as Lord. Paul and Silas probably told the jailer the main points of the gospel at this time. They explained further in 16:32.

In some languages what is to be believed about Jesus must be included. For example:

Believe that the Lord Jesus ⌊is your savior⌋
-or-
Believe that the Lord Jesus ⌊is the one whom God sent to save you⌋

you will be saved: Paul and Silas refer to Christian salvation here. Use your usual way of translating the word saved. See 15:1.

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊he⌋ will save you

16:31b

you and your household: This phrase in Greek is literally “and your household.” Paul and Silas told the jailer that they also invited his household to believe and be saved. For example:

and your household too (New Jerusalem Bible)

your household: This word refers to the jailer’s family and anyone who lived in his house. For example:

all the people in your house (New Century Version)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:23

17:23a

For: The word For introduces an explanation for why Paul said that the people of Athens were very religious.

I walked around: This clause refers to visiting various parts of the city. For example:

I walked through your city (Good News Translation)

examined: This phrase indicates that Paul studied the altars and statues of the gods. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

looked carefully (New International Version)
-or-
observed closely (NET Bible)

your objects of worship: This phrase refers to images and statues of the gods that the people of Athens worshiped. It also included the altars at these images and statues where people would pray to the gods and leave offerings. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

your sacred monuments (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
your worship places
-or-
your altars and images/statues of your gods

17:23b

I even found an altar: Here the verb found indicates that he happened to see an altar to an unknown god while he walked through the city. The verb does not imply that he was searching for this altar. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I noticed…an altar (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
And one of your altars (New Living Translation (2004))

an altar: This word refers to a platform that people use for religious activities. People sacrifice animals on it to honor the god to whom they dedicated the altar. Greek altars of that time were usually made of stone. The picture below is an example of a pagan altar.

Some languages do not have a word for that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Describe what an altar is. For example:

a platform for sacrificing
-or-
a place for putting something to honor a god

• Use the common language word. If the word is not well known, you may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The word “altar” refers to a platform that people use for religious activities. People sacrifice animals on it to honor the god to whom the altar was dedicated. At that time Greek people usually made their altars from stone.

this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD: The word inscription indicates that someone carved the words TO AN UNKNOWN GOD into the altar.

TO AN UNKNOWN GOD: This saying is like a title for the altar. Other ways to indicate that this saying is a title are:

‘To an unknown god.’ (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
To An Unknown God (New Jerusalem Bible)

The phrase “This altar is dedicated” or “We dedicate this altar” is implied at the start of this saying. In some languages a full sentence is more natural. If that is true in your language, include the implied information. For example:

This altar is dedicated to an unknown god
-or-
This altar honors a god that we do not know
-or-
We(incl) dedicate this altar to an unknown god

AN UNKNOWN GOD: The word AN indicates a particular god, but the people did not know his name or anything about him. The Greek people believed that there were many unknown gods. English versions do not use the word “the,” because in English “the” implies that there was only one unknown god.

17:23c

Therefore: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore is a common connector that introduces the result of what was stated previously. Some English versions do not use a connector, while others use a different one. For example:

Now (New International Version)

Connect these sentences in a natural way in your language.

what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you: The phrase what you worship as something unknown is emphasized by being first in the clause. If possible emphasize the phrase. If not, translate in the normal order. For example:

Now I am going to proclaim to you the God that you worship as something unknown.

what you worship as something unknown: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translate as what and something refers generally to any kind of thing. The people did not know anything about the unknown god, even what kind of being it was. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the thing/being you worship as someone unknown
-or-
the god whom you worship as someone you do not know

This phrase indicates that the Greek people worshiped this god but did not know anything about him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

That which you worship, then, even though you do not know it (Good News Translation)
-or-
the unknown God you revere (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
You worship this God, but you don’t really know him. (Contemporary English Version)

I now proclaim to you: This clause in Greek is literally “I proclaim to you.” Paul began to proclaim him in the next verse. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I now proclaim to you. (Good News Translation)
-or-
I am here to proclaim to you! (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
I am about to proclaim to you.

proclaim: This word refers to publicly announcing something. Other ways to translate this word are:

declare (King James Version)
-or-
tell (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 18:21

18:21a

But as he left, he said:
The Greek words are literally “But having said goodbye and having said.” Paul said goodbye to them and then said that he hoped to return. Other ways to translate this are:

but on taking leave of them he said (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
He told them good-by and said (Contemporary English Version)

I will come back to you if God is willing: This clause indicates that if God decides that Paul should return, then he would. Other ways to translate this clause are:

If God lets me, I will come back. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I will come back to you again if God wants me to. (New Century Version)

18:21b

And he set sail from Ephesus: The phrase set sail indicates that Paul got on a sailing ship that departed from that place. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Paul took a boat from Ephesus (God’s Word)
-or-
Then he boarded a ship and sailed from Ephesus.

Paul left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus when he set sail.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 19:25

19:25a

Demetrius assembled the craftsmen: This clause refers to summoning the craftsmen. Other ways to translate this clause are:

These he gathered together (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
called a general meeting of them (New Jerusalem Bible)

the workmen in related trades: This clause in Greek is literally “the workmen also occupied with such things.” Demetrius called together other men who had similar work to the silversmiths. They probably all made things related to the temple of Artemis and the worship of this goddess. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

others whose work was like theirs (Good News Translation)
-or-
the workmen of similar trades (New American Standard Bible)

workmen: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as workmen refers to any kind of worker. It does not imply skilled workers like the Greek word in 19:24b (“craftsmen”).

19:25b

this business is our source of prosperity: This clause in Greek is literally “from this trade/work is prosperity to us.” It indicates that the workers earned a fair amount of money from the work that they did. It indicates that they were prosperous. They earned enough money to buy all the things they needed and have some extra. It does not indicate that they were wealthy. Other ways to translate this clause are:

we earn plenty of money from this work
-or-
we are getting much money from this work of ours
-or-
our income is very good in this work

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 20:16

20:16a

The Greek conjunction often translated as “for” introduces this verse. It introduces an explanation why Paul wanted to sail directly from Assos to Miletus. For example:

For Paul had decided to sail… (Revised Standard Version)

In some languages it may be more natural to omit the Greek conjunction.

Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus: The phrase had decided indicates here that Paul decided earlier in the journey to sail past Ephesus. He probably chose a ship in Troas (20:13) that was not going to Ephesus.

to sail past Ephesus: After leaving the harbor near Chios, the ship sailed southeast, directly to Samos. It did not turn east and sail to Ephesus. Other ways to translate this clause are:

not to sail/go to Ephesus
-or-
to sail straight ⌊to Samos/Miletus⌋ without going to Ephesus
-or-
to sail past Ephesus ⌊on his way to Miletus⌋

20:16b

to avoid spending time: Here the phrase spending time refers to staying for a day or more. Paul did not want to stay in Ephesus and delay his journey to Jerusalem. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

so that he might not have to spend time (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
so as not to lose any time (Good News Translation)
-or-
so that he would not be delayed there

the province of Asia: The Berean Standard Bible adds the phrase the province of. At that time the name Asia referred to a region in what is now the western part of the country of Turkey. See how you translated this phrase in 20:4.

20:16c

because: This word introduces the reason for Paul wanting to avoid spending time in Asia.

if possible: This phrase indicates that Paul was trying to go to Jerusalem before Pentecost, but he was not sure that he would arrive there by that time.

Pentecost: The word Pentecost refers to a holy day for the Jews. It means “fiftieth.” It is the Greek name for the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15–21), fifty days after the Passover.

For Christians it refers to the events of 2:1–13. It became a holy day for Christians, seven weeks after Easter, but it is not clear when this practice began.

In some languages this name is not well known. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the name from the common language and explain it in your translation. For example:

Pentecost ⌊holy day⌋

You may also want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The word “Pentecost” refers to a holy day for Jews and Christians. For Jews it refers to Leviticus 23:15–21. For Christians, it refers to Acts 2:1–13.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 21:10

Paragraph 21:10–11

21:10a

After we had been there several days: The Greek words are literally “And staying many days.” It probably indicates they stayed more days than they at first thought they would stay. It would probably refer to five days or more. For example:

While we were staying for many days (English Standard Version)

21:10b

a prophet: A prophet was a person to whom God tells messages to tell people. These messages are called “prophecies”; see note at 21:9. The person speaks the prophecy to the people or writes it for them. Some ways to translate prophet are:

a spokesman for God
-or-
a man who speaks God’s words
-or-
God’s message-speaker

It is good to use a general term that does not focus only on foretelling the future.

When choosing a term for prophet, consider how you will distinguish prophet from other words such as “angel,” “apostle,” “evangelist,” and “preacher.”

See how you translated this word in 2:16 or 15:32.

came down from Judea: This phrase indicates that the word Judea refers to the hilly region of Judea. Jerusalem is in the middle of this region. It is 760 meters (2,490 ft) above the sea. Caesarea is on the sea coast. It is at least a one day journey from the hilly region of Judea to Caesarea. Indicate that kind of journey in your translation.

In some languages it is not important to indicate going uphill or downhill. If that is true in your language, you may not need to translate the idea of down here. For example:

arrived from Judea (Good News Translation)

Judea: This word usually refers to the province called Judea. The Romans had conquered Judea and ruled it at this time. But the Roman capitol of Judea was Caesarea. So here it probably refers to the hilly region of Judea. For example:

⌊the hills of⌋ Judea

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 22.3

22:3a

I am a Jew: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a Jew is literally “a Jewish man.” But it is more common in English to say a Jew.

Tarsus of Cilicia: Tarsus was the capital city of the province of Cilicia. This phrase occurs in 21:39. See how you translated it there. If you explained that Tarsus was a city and Cilicia was a province in 21:39, you may not want to repeat that implied information here.

22:3b

raised: Here this word refers to what parents do for a child from birth to the time the child becomes an adult. Here it probably refers to the time Paul was one year old or so to the time he was thirteen years old.

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊my parents⌋ raised

this city: This phrase refers to Jerusalem.

22:3c

I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in strict conformity is literally “according to strictness.” There are two ways to connect this phrase:

(1) It connects to the law. For example:

educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers (English Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, English Standard Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, King James Version)

(2) It connects to educated. For example:

Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers (New International Version)

(New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek is literally “according to strictness of the law,” where “of” would normally connect to “strictness.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

as a student of Gamaliel. I received strict instruction in the Law of our ancestors (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I was educated under Gamaliel to very carefully obey the laws of our fathers

I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel: In the Greek, the phrase at the feet of Gamaliel is emphasized by being placed before the Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as I was educated. If possible emphasize this phrase in your language. For example:

At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated

This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active or intransitive clause. For example:

Gamaliel taught me thoroughly
-or-
I was a student of Gamaliel (Contemporary English Version)

educated: This word refers to a teacher teaching his students. Other ways to translate this word are:

trained (New International Version)
-or-
taught (New Jerusalem Bible)

at the feet of Gamaliel: This phrase indicates that Paul was a student of Gamaliel.

Gamaliel: The Jews knew and greatly respected Gamaliel as a teacher of the Jewish law. He spoke in 5:34–39. See how you spelled his name there.

law of our fathers: This phrase refers to Jewish law. It is found in the first five books of the Old Testament. But it probably includes here the traditions of the Pharisees. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the Law of our ancestors (Good News Translation)
-or-
our Jewish laws and customs (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the laws that our ancestors gave/passed-on to us

our fathers: Here this phrase refers to the ancestors of the Jews. See the examples above.

22:3d

I am just as zealous for God as any of you here today: These words indicate that Paul was zealous for God like the crowd was. Other ways to translate these words are:

was zealous for God just as you ⌊also⌋ are today
-or-
being zealous for God as you all are this day (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I was as devoted to God as all of you are today (God’s Word)

zealous: This word refers to being devoted or committed to something. Paul and the Jews were very committed to serving God. Other ways to translate this word are:

was…dedicated (Good News Translation)
-or-
was…eager to obey God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
was very serious about serving God (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 23:5

23:5a

Brothers: Here the Greek word is literally “brothers.” Paul began speaking in a polite way to the men who spoke to him in 23:4. The address Brothers indicates that Paul was also a Jew.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to Paul’s actual brothers. If that is true in your language, use whatever terms are natural for addressing people from the same ethnic group, who are equal socially. For example:

Colleagues
-or-
Relatives
-or-
My fellow Israelites (Good News Translation)

I was not aware that he was the high priest: Many scholars believe that Paul admitted that he was wrong to say what he did in 23:3. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I did not know…that he was the high priest (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I was not aware…that he was high priest (New American Standard Bible)

Paul probably said this to apologize indirectly. For example, the New Living Translation (2004) makes the apology clearer:

I’m sorry,…I didn’t realize he was the high priest (New Living Translation (2004))

It is not clear why Paul did not recognize him. Do not indicate why in your translation.

23:5b

for: This conjunction introduces an explanation as to why Paul now understands that he should not have spoken 23:3. In some languages the connection needs to made clear. For example:

⌊I should not have said that,⌋ for

In some languages it is more natural to allow the context to indicate the connection and omit the conjunction.

it is written: This clause indicates that Paul quoted the Old Testament (Exodus 22:28). Other ways to translate this clause are:

it is written ⌊in Scripture⌋
-or-

⌊Moses⌋ wrote ⌊in the Scriptures⌋
-or-

⌊the Law of Moses⌋ states

Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people: In the Greek, this command is to one person. Exodus 22:28 is also to one person.

In some languages, a command for all people to follow must use a plural form. For example:

Do not speak(plur) evilly about the ruler of your(plur) people.
-or-

We must not speak evil words about the ruler of our(incl) people.
-or-

People/They must not speak evilly about the ruler of their people.

speak evil: This phrase refers to saying bad things about someone. An example is when Paul called the high priest a “whitewashed wall” (23:3). It is not the same as cursing someone. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

say bad things
-or-
speak harshly
-or-
insult

the ruler: Here the saying about a ruler is general and does not refer to one specific ruler. For example:

a ruler (Revised Standard Version)

General Comment on 23:5b

The part of 23:5b in quotes is a quote from Exodus 22:28. If you footnote the location of quotes from the Old Testament, you may want to do so here.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021