SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 66

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 19:38

19:38a–b

if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available: The word if is used rhetorically. The city clerk knew that Demetrius was upset with Paul and had caused this uproar in the city. The city clerk explained what Demetrius should have done. He perhaps implied that Demetrius did not have a proper complaint. It is probably an implied rebuke for causing the uproar. If possible, translate this as an implied rebuke. For example:

Supposing Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls.
-or-
Do Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody? ⌊Then they should realize that⌋ the courts are open and there are proconsuls.

19:38a

So: This word introduces what the city clerk concludes should happen. Introduce the conclusion naturally in your language. For example:

So then, (New American Standard Bible)

his fellow craftsmen: This phrase in Greek is literally “the craftsmen with him.” It refers to the craftsmen in 19:24. It probably includes the workmen of related trades in 19:25. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the craftsmen he has with him (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the craftsmen who are with him (New American Standard Bible)

have a complaint against anyone: The word complaint refers to accusing someone of wrongdoing. A person with a complaint against someone can take him to court. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

have an accusation against anyone (Good News Translation)
-or-
accuse someone of breaking the law
-or-
have a charge (New Century Version)
-or-
have evidence-to-present for a person’s crime

19:38b

proconsuls: The proconsuls were governors of the province under Roman rule. They were also the highest judges in the province. The city clerk implies that such a lawsuit as Demetrius might present against Paul might go as high as the highest judge in the province.

Many languages will not have a word that refers to this kind of official. The office of judge is the important part here. For example:

⌊even⌋ the highest judges of the province
-or-
provincial judges

19:38c

Let them bring charges against one another there: This clause in Greek is literally “let (them) bring charges against one another.” It indicates that if two groups have a problem, either group can accuse the other group in court. It probably refers generally to anyone accusing someone in court. But the city clerk implies here that Demetrius and the other craftsmen should accuse Paul in court, if they want to accuse him of something. Other ways to translate this clause are:

They can press charges. (New International Version)
-or-
let the parties bring their charges and countercharges (Revised English Bible)
-or-
let them accuse each other in court

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 20:29

20:29a–b

savage: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as savage means “fierce,” “violent,” or “harmful.” These wolves cause difficulties for the believers. Other ways to translate this word are:

vicious (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
wild (New Century Version)
-or-
destructive

wolves: This word refers to wild animals similar to large dogs but more fierce. They weigh 30–45 kilograms (65–100 pounds), depending on the kind of wolf. They attack and eat other animals.

Some languages do not have a word for wolves. If that is true in your language, refer to a similar animal or more generally to animals that attack and eat other animals. For example:

wild dogs
-or-
fierce/attacking animals

Here the word is a metaphor for false teachers. Paul said here that false teachers would come to Ephesus and cause great difficulties for the believers there. In some languages a literal translation would not have this meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally and explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Here the word “wolves” refers to false teachers. Paul said here that false teachers would come to Ephesus and cause great difficulties for the believers there.

• Translate literally and explain it in your translation. For example:

wolves, ⌊that is, false teachers⌋

• Translate the metaphor as a simile. For example:

⌊false teachers who are like⌋ harmful wolves
-or-

⌊some people will come like⌋ fierce wolves
-or-

⌊some people will come like⌋ wolves who destroy/attack ⌊sheep⌋

will not spare the flock: The word spare means “prevent something bad from happening.” So here, the phrase not spare refers to harming the flock. For example:

will harm/hurt the flock
-or-
others will come like fierce wolves to attack you (Contemporary English Version)

flock: This word is a metaphor, as in 20:28. See how you translated it there.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 21:23

21:23a

Therefore: In Greek this verse begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Therefore. This indicates that what follows is what these people wanted Paul to do as a result of the situation they described in the previous verses.

do what we advise you: This is a command. The elders were leaders over Paul. They were being direct, but not rude when they spoke to Paul here. In some languages this command would be communicated in a different way. For example:

This is what we want you to do (Good News Translation)
-or-
this is what we suggest that you should do (New Jerusalem Bible)

Your translation should suggest that they expected Paul to follow their plan.

21:23b

There are four men with us: The four men were probably Jewish believers and belonged to the church in Jerusalem.

have taken a vow: A vow is a solemn promise. These men had promised something to God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

have made a promise to God (New Century Version)
-or-
have promised God about something

See how you translated the word vow in 18:18.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 22:16

22:16a

And now what are you waiting for?: This is a rhetorical question. It encourages Paul to do something right away. That deed is explained in 22:16b. It is not a rebuke. Translate this clause with that meaning. Some ways are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

And now what more are you waiting for?

• As a statement. For example:

And now, do not wait any longer.

22:16b

Get up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Get up refers to rising from the floor, a bed. or a chair. So Ananias commanded him to stand. For example:

Rise (Revised Standard Version)

be baptized: This clause is a passive command. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

Have ⌊someone⌋ baptize you
-or-
Ask/Tell ⌊someone⌋ to baptize you

baptized: Here this word refers to the Christian ritual that uses water. See how you translated this word in 1:5 or 19:5.

wash your sins away: The phrase wash your sins away is a figure of speech. It means “have your sins forgiven.” If possible, translate with a word that connects well with the rite of baptism. Other ways to translate this clause are:

have your sins washed away
-or-
let ⌊God⌋ wash away your sins
-or-
be cleansed/purified from your sins
-or-
let ⌊God⌋ cleanse you from sinning, like washing dirt away

sins: This word refers to anything that people do that God does not want them to do. This includes doing or thinking anything evil. It also includes not doing something that God wants people to do.

calling on His name: Here this phrase probably refers to asking for help from Jesus. The person would probably ask him to forgive his sins and help him to obey. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

as you call on his name (God’s Word)
-or-
by praying to him (Good News Translation)

His name: Here, by using the name Paul referred to that person and all that he is. In some languages it is more natural to refer to the person. For example:

him

His: As in 22:15, Paul referred here to Jesus, whom he called “the Righteous One” in 22:14, but did not name him. Paul wanted to tell his whole story to the Jewish crowd but he was concerned that they might riot again. So he avoided naming Jesus here. You should not name Jesus here.

General Comment on 22:16b

The context implies that Paul did as Ananias said. In some languages it is more natural to indicate that in your translation. For example:

calling on his name.’ ⌊So I got up and was baptized.⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 23:18

23:18a

So: The Greek phrase is literally “So then.” It indicates following action and introduces the result of Paul’s request.

the centurion took him to the commander: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the centurion took him are literally “taking him, he brought/led (him).” The first clause indicates that the centurion left Paul, taking his nephew with him. The second clause indicates that the centurion arrived with the nephew before the commander. For example:

he took him, ⌊leaving Paul,⌋ and brought him to the commander

But in English it is more natural to only use one verb here. For example:

the man took him to the tribune (New Jerusalem Bible)

him: Here the pronoun him refers to Paul’s nephew.

23:18b–c

asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you: Some languages need to express to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you as direct speech.

The centurion used the word asked because he knew that Paul’s command of 23:17b was really a request. If you translated 23:17b as a request, do so here as well. For example:

asked me, ‘Could you take this young man to the commander? He has something to tell him.’

But if you translated 23:17b as a command, do so here as well. For example:

said to me, ‘Take this young man to the commander, because he has something to tell him.’

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 24:15

24:15a

I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hope refers to a confident expectation that something will happen. The English word hope can also mean “wish,” but that is not the meaning here. Other ways to translate this clause are:

in reliance on God I hold the hope, which my accusers too accept (Revised English Bible)
-or-
I am just as sure as these people are that God… (Contemporary English Version)

The hope is explained in 24:15b.

the same hope in God: The phrase in God probably refers, at least in part, to God’s promise in Daniel 12:2. He promised that he will resurrect the righteous people to everlasting life and resurrect the wicked to shame and everlasting contempt. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the same hope in God’s ⌊promises⌋
-or-
the same hope in what God said
-or-
similarly confident that what God said is true

that they themselves cherish: At least some of the Jewish leaders there were probably Sadducees. The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection. But the Pharisees and most Jews did believe in resurrection, based, at least in part, on Daniel 12:2. Paul probably referred to the general Jewish hope in resurrection here. Translate this phrase literally without trying to explain the various opinions of the Jewish leaders.

24:15b

a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked: This phrase indicates that God will resurrect all people. For example:

all people, both the good and the bad, will rise from death (Good News Translation)
-or-
God will cause all the righteous and the wicked people who have died to live again

righteous: This word refers to people who live according to God’s standards. They consistently do what is right. Other ways to say this are:

those who obey God
-or-
those who do what is right

In some languages there may be an idiom to describe this. For example:

those who follow a straight path
-or-
upright people

See how you translated this word in 10:22.

wicked: The Greek word is literally “unrighteous.” It is the opposite of “righteous.” It refers to people who do not live according to God’s standards, and therefore do evil deeds.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 25:20

25:20a

I was at a loss: This clause refers to not knowing what to do. Festus was unsure about how to get the information he needed to judge this case. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I did not know (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I was unsure

I: The Greek pronoun here probably indicates emphasis. Festus now emphasized what he thought. For example:

I myself

But many English versions translate the Greek pronoun as Festus resuming talking about himself and do not translate this as emphasis.

as to how to investigate these matters: This phrase in Greek is literally “about the investigation of these things.” Festus did not know how to discover the facts he needed to make a good decision. He was familiar with discovering the facts whether or not someone committed a crime, but he was not familiar with discovering the facts for this religious dispute. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

how I could get information on these matters (Good News Translation)
-or-
how to find out the truth about all this (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
how to find out about these questions (New Century Version)

25:20b

he was willing: The word willing refers to wanting to do something. Here Festus asked Paul if he wanted the trial in Jerusalem. For example:

he wanted (English Standard Version)

25:20c

be tried there on these charges: This phrase refers to having a trial. First the accusers would speak, then the person would defend himself, then the judge would decide. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

stand trial there on these charges (New International Version)
-or-
be put on trial there (Contemporary English Version)

Festus did not say here who would be judge in Jerusalem here. If possible, do not say who would have judged Paul in Jerusalem. For example:

be judged there (New Century Version)
-or-
go to court with these accusations against you
-or-
have the trial there regarding these accusations

Scholars have two opinions about who would judge Paul in Jerusalem:

(1) Festus would judge Paul.

(2) Festus would allow the Jewish leaders to judge Paul as he watched.

In some languages, the person who judges must be stated in the translation. If so, follow interpretation (1), as that seems the most likely interpretation of “before me” in 25:9c. For example:

I would judge him on these accusations

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 26:25

Paragraph 26:25–27

26:25a

most excellent: This is a title that shows respect. It was a proper title to use when speaking to a Roman judge. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

your Excellency (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
most noble (King James Version)
-or-
Honorable (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Respected Leader

See how you translated this phrase in 24:3.

26:25b

The Greek conjunction here indicates contrast between being crazy and being sane. But since Paul just said he was not crazy, it is more natural in some languages to not indicate contrast. For example:

but (Revised Standard Version)

The Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions do not translate the contrast here.

I am speaking words of truth and sobriety: This clause in Greek is literally “I speak words of truth and reasonableness.” Here the word “reasonableness” means the opposite of “insane.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

My words are true and sensible. (New Century Version)
-or-
I am speaking true and rational words. (English Standard Version)
-or-
What I’m saying is true and sane. (God’s Word)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021