15:31a
Pray that: Here this phrase introduces what Paul wanted the Roman believers to strive in praying for (15:30c).
I may be delivered: Here the word delivered refers to God preventing the unbelievers in Judea from harming Paul. It does not mean “rescue” here, since Paul was not in their hands when he wrote this letter. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
I may be kept safe (New International Version (2011))
-or-
I may be protected
This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
⌊God⌋ may deliver/protect
the unbelievers in Judea: Here the word unbelievers refers to Jews who did not believe in Jesus as the Christ/Messiah. They may believe in God and follow the Jewish religion. In some languages a literal translation would indicate that they do not believe in God. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Explain the correct meaning in your translation. For example:
the people of Judea who do not believe ⌊in Jesus⌋
• Translate literally and explain in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
This refers to Jews who did not believe in Jesus as the Christ/Messiah.
15:31b
and that: Here these words introduce the second thing that Paul wanted the Roman believers to strive in praying for (15:30c).
my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
the saints may accept my service for Jerusalem
my service: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as service refers to helping others. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
my ministry (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
my work as a/their servant
See how you translated the word “serving” in 12:7.
in Jerusalem: The money was to go to the poor believers who lived in Jerusalem. By just saying Jerusalem here, Paul may have implied that this money indirectly would help all people of Jerusalem. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
to Jerusalem (New International Version)
-or-
for Jerusalem (English Standard Version)
Your translation should not indicate or imply that the money would go to all the people of Jerusalem. This may already be clear from earlier verses. But if it does indicate or imply all the people of Jerusalem, you may want to:
• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
for ⌊the poor believers/ones in⌋ Jerusalem
• Explain in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:
Here Paul referred to the poor believers in Jerusalem.
saints: See how you translated this word in 15:25b.
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