1
Ὁ δὲ Σαῦλος ἔτι ἐμπνέων ἀπειλῆς καὶ φόνου εἰς τοὺς μαθητὰς τοῦ κυρίου, προσελθὼν τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ
But Saul, still breathing threat and murder toward the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2
ᾐτήσατο παρ’ αὐτοῦ ἐπιστολὰς εἰς Δαμασκὸν πρὸς τὰς συναγωγάς, ὅπως ἐάν τινας εὕρῃ τῆς ὁδοῦ ὄντας, ἄνδρας τε καὶ γυναῖκας, δεδεμένους ἀγάγῃ εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ.
and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
first here Jerusalem Ἰερουσαλήμ Ierousalēm
Why this rendering
Acts.9.2 Observation
Syntactic observation
τῆς ὁδοῦ ὄντας — those belonging to the Way. ὁδός, way, with only its article becomes a name for the Christians — Acts uses it so six times (9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). There is no word Christianity yet (Christian first appears at 11:26); the Way is the name. This edition fixed the ὁδός of John 14:6 (I am the way) as way, so it is way here too. V.4 Σαοὺλ Σαούλ — the base text writes this vocative in its Hebrew form (Σαούλ), unlike the Σαῦλος of the narration, the Greek form: the voice from heaven calls in Hebrew (26:14, in the Hebrew language, confirms it). English can mark the two forms only faintly — Saul for both — and the loss is recorded.
Rendering options · 1
Adopted “belonging to the Way”
Basis One word with John 14:6. The capital marks the name, as the article does in Greek.
Lost in translation
The split between Σαούλ (vocative, Hebrew form) and Σαῦλος (narrative, Greek form) — English has Saul for both.
this edition — none of the nine carries it (measured)
3
ἐν δὲ τῷ πορεύεσθαι ἐγένετο αὐτὸν ἐγγίζειν τῇ Δαμασκῷ, ⸂ἐξαίφνης τε αὐτὸν περιήστραψεν⸃ φῶς ⸀ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ,
And as he went, it came to pass that he drew near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him,
4
καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἤκουσεν φωνὴν λέγουσαν αὐτῷ Σαοὺλ Σαούλ, τί με διώκεις;
and falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
Why this rendering
Acts.9.4 Observation
Syntactic observation
τί με διώκεις — why do you persecute me. The object is me — what Saul persecuted were the disciples (v.1), and Jesus says me; v.5 repeats it (ὃν σὺ διώκεις, whom you are persecuting). διώκω is the verb this edition fixed as persecute at Matt 5:10 and Luke 21:12. This encounter is told three times in Acts (chapter 9 in narration, 22 in Paul's Jerusalem speech, 26 before Agrippa) — and the three differ in detail (the companions heard the voice but saw no one, 9:7, against saw the light but did not hear the voice, 22:9), and the author does not reconcile them. Neither does this edition. Ἐγώ εἰμι Ἰησοῦς — an I am with a predicate, so the problem of John 8:24 does not arise.
Rendering options · 1
Adopted “why do you persecute me” · “Jesus, whom you are persecuting”
Basis διώκω = persecute, as fixed. The object me is left as it stands.
5
εἶπεν δέ· Τίς εἶ, κύριε; ὁ ⸀δέ· Ἐγώ εἰμι Ἰησοῦς ὃν σὺ διώκεις·
And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
first here Jesus Ἰησοῦς Iēsous
6
ἀλλὰ ἀνάστηθι καὶ εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ λαληθήσεταί σοι ⸂ὅ τί⸃ σε δεῖ ποιεῖν.
But rise and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”
7
οἱ δὲ ἄνδρες οἱ συνοδεύοντες αὐτῷ εἱστήκεισαν ἐνεοί, ἀκούοντες μὲν τῆς φωνῆς μηδένα δὲ θεωροῦντες.
And the men travelling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
8
ἠγέρθη δὲ ⸀Σαῦλος ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἀνεῳγμένων ⸀δὲ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ ⸀οὐδὲν ἔβλεπεν· χειραγωγοῦντες δὲ αὐτὸν εἰσήγαγον εἰς Δαμασκόν.
And Saul was raised from the ground, and though his eyes were opened he saw nothing; and leading him by the hand they brought him into Damascus.
9
καὶ ἦν ἡμέρας τρεῖς μὴ βλέπων, καὶ οὐκ ἔφαγεν οὐδὲ ἔπιεν.
And he was three days without seeing, and neither ate nor drank.
10
Ἦν δέ τις μαθητὴς ἐν Δαμασκῷ ὀνόματι Ἁνανίας, καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ⸂ἐν ὁράματι ὁ κύριος⸃· Ἁνανία. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἰδοὺ ἐγώ, κύριε.
Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Behold, I am here, Lord.”
11
ὁ δὲ κύριος πρὸς αὐτόν· ⸀Ἀναστὰς πορεύθητι ἐπὶ τὴν ῥύμην τὴν καλουμένην Εὐθεῖαν καὶ ζήτησον ἐν οἰκίᾳ Ἰούδα Σαῦλον ὀνόματι Ταρσέα, ἰδοὺ γὰρ προσεύχεται,
And the Lord to him: “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas one named Saul, of Tarsus; for behold, he is praying,
first here Judas Ἰούδας Ioudas
12
καὶ εἶδεν ⸂ἄνδρα ἐν ὁράματι Ἁνανίαν ὀνόματι⸃ εἰσελθόντα καὶ ἐπιθέντα αὐτῷ ⸀χεῖρας ὅπως ἀναβλέψῃ.
and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so that he might see again.”
13
ἀπεκρίθη δὲ Ἁνανίας· Κύριε, ⸀ἤκουσα ἀπὸ πολλῶν περὶ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς τούτου, ὅσα κακὰ ⸂τοῖς ἁγίοις σου ἐποίησεν⸃ ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ·
But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your holy ones in Jerusalem;
14
καὶ ὧδε ἔχει ἐξουσίαν παρὰ τῶν ἀρχιερέων δῆσαι πάντας τοὺς ἐπικαλουμένους τὸ ὄνομά σου.
and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
15
εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος· Πορεύου, ὅτι σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς ⸂ἐστίν μοι⸃ οὗτος τοῦ βαστάσαι τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐνώπιον ⸀ἐθνῶν ⸀τε καὶ βασιλέων υἱῶν τε Ἰσραήλ,
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this one is to me a chosen vessel, to carry my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel;
first here Israel Ἰσραήλ Israēl
Why this rendering
Acts.9.15 Observation
Syntactic observation
σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς — a chosen vessel (literally a vessel of choice, a Hebrew-style genitive). σκεῦος is the vessel of Luke 8:16 (covering a lamp with a vessel) and the goods of 17:31 and Mark 3:27 — calling a person a vessel begins here in Acts. βαστάσαι τὸ ὄνομά μου — to carry my name: βαστάζω is the verb this edition fixed as carry for the cross at Luke 14:27 and John 19:17 — the name is carried like the cross. V.16 ὅσα δεῖ αὐτὸν … παθεῖν — how much he must suffer: δεῖ and παθεῖν are the pair of Luke 24:26 (was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer). Nations and kings and the sons of Israel — a table of contents for the rest of Acts.
Rendering options · 1
Adopted “a chosen vessel”
Basis Keeps σκεῦος = vessel; instrument would cut it from Luke 8:16. The genitive of choice stands as chosen.
16
ἐγὼ γὰρ ὑποδείξω αὐτῷ ὅσα δεῖ αὐτὸν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματός μου παθεῖν.
for I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17
ἀπῆλθεν δὲ Ἁνανίας καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν, καὶ ἐπιθεὶς ἐπ’ αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας εἶπεν· Σαοὺλ ἀδελφέ, ὁ κύριος ἀπέσταλκέν με, ⸀Ἰησοῦς ὁ ὀφθείς σοι ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ᾗ ἤρχου, ὅπως ἀναβλέψῃς καὶ πλησθῇς πνεύματος ἁγίου.
And Ananias went away and entered the house, and laying his hands on him he said, “Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me — Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came — so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18
καὶ εὐθέως ἀπέπεσαν ⸂αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν⸃ ⸀ὡς λεπίδες, ἀνέβλεψέν τε καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐβαπτίσθη,
And at once there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he saw again; and rising he was baptized,
Why this rendering
Acts.9.18 Observation
Syntactic observation
ἀπέπεσαν … ὡς λεπίδες — there fell something like scales. There is a ὡς, like — the base text does not say scales fell but something like scales (the same care as 2:2-3, like a breath, as of fire). λεπίς is unique in the New Testament. ἀναβλέπω, to see again, comes three times (vv.12, 17, 18) — the verb of the blind man who sees again in the Gospels (Mark 10:51-52 Bartimaeus; Luke 18:41-43), which this edition fixed as see again: Saul's recovery is written in Bartimaeus's word. V.8 ἀνεῳγμένων τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν — though his eyes were opened: open eyes that do not see. And the baptism comes at v.18 without having been in Ananias's words (v.17) — the base text says only he was baptized and does not say by whom.
Rendering options · 1
Adopted “there fell … something like scales”
Basis Scales fell would turn the base text's careful simile into a fact.
19
καὶ λαβὼν τροφὴν ⸀ἐνίσχυσεν. Ἐγένετο ⸀δὲ μετὰ τῶν ἐν Δαμασκῷ μαθητῶν ἡμέρας τινὰς,
and having taken sustenance he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples in Damascus some days,
20
καὶ εὐθέως ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς ἐκήρυσσεν τὸν ⸀Ἰησοῦν ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ.
and at once in the synagogues he was proclaiming Jesus, that this one is the Son of God.
21
ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες οἱ ἀκούοντες καὶ ἔλεγον· Οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ πορθήσας ⸀ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ τοὺς ἐπικαλουμένους τὸ ὄνομα τοῦτο, καὶ ὧδε εἰς τοῦτο ἐληλύθει ἵνα δεδεμένους αὐτοὺς ἀγάγῃ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς;
And all who heard were beside themselves and said, “Is not this the one who in Jerusalem ravaged those who call on this name, and had come here for this, to bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22
Σαῦλος δὲ μᾶλλον ἐνεδυναμοῦτο καὶ ⸀συνέχυννεν ⸀τοὺς Ἰουδαίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Δαμασκῷ, συμβιβάζων ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ χριστός.
But Saul was all the more strengthened, and was confounding the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this one is the Christ.
first here Jews Ἰουδαῖος Ioudaios
first here Christ Χριστός Christos
23
Ὡς δὲ ἐπληροῦντο ἡμέραι ἱκαναί, συνεβουλεύσαντο οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν·
Now when many days were fulfilled, the Jews plotted together to do away with him;
24
ἐγνώσθη δὲ τῷ Σαύλῳ ἡ ἐπιβουλὴ αὐτῶν. ⸂παρετηροῦντο δὲ καὶ⸃ τὰς πύλας ἡμέρας τε καὶ νυκτὸς ὅπως αὐτὸν ἀνέλωσιν·
but their plot became known to Saul. And they were watching the gates too, day and night, so as to do away with him;
25
λαβόντες δὲ ⸂οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ⸃ νυκτὸς ⸂διὰ τοῦ τείχους καθῆκαν αὐτὸν⸃ χαλάσαντες ἐν σπυρίδι.
but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26
Παραγενόμενος δὲ ⸀εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ ⸀ἐπείραζεν κολλᾶσθαι τοῖς μαθηταῖς· καὶ πάντες ἐφοβοῦντο αὐτόν, μὴ πιστεύοντες ὅτι ἐστὶν μαθητής.
And arriving in Jerusalem he was trying to be joined to the disciples; and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
27
Βαρναβᾶς δὲ ἐπιλαβόμενος αὐτὸν ἤγαγεν πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστόλους, καὶ διηγήσατο αὐτοῖς πῶς ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἶδεν τὸν κύριον καὶ ὅτι ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ καὶ πῶς ἐν Δαμασκῷ ἐπαρρησιάσατο ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι ⸀τοῦ Ἰησοῦ.
But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles, and told them how on the road he had seen the Lord and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken openly in the name of Jesus.
28
καὶ ἦν μετ’ αὐτῶν εἰσπορευόμενος ⸂καὶ ἐκπορευόμενος⸃ εἰς ⸀Ἰερουσαλήμ, παρρησιαζόμενος ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ ⸀κυρίου,
And he was with them, going in and going out in Jerusalem, speaking openly in the name of the Lord,
29
ἐλάλει τε καὶ συνεζήτει πρὸς τοὺς Ἑλληνιστάς· οἱ δὲ ἐπεχείρουν ⸂ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν⸃.
and he was speaking and disputing with the Greek-speaking Jews; but they were attempting to do away with him.
30
ἐπιγνόντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ κατήγαγον αὐτὸν εἰς Καισάρειαν καὶ ἐξαπέστειλαν αὐτὸν εἰς Ταρσόν.
And when the brothers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
first here Caesarea Καισάρεια Kaisareia
31
⸂Ἡ μὲν οὖν ἐκκλησία καθ’ ὅλης τῆς Ἰουδαίας καὶ Γαλιλαίας καὶ Σαμαρείας εἶχεν εἰρήνην οἰκοδομουμένη, καὶ πορευομένη τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ κυρίου καὶ τῇ παρακλήσει τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος ἐπληθύνετο⸃.
So the assembly throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the consolation of the Holy Spirit, it was multiplying.
first here Judea Ἰουδαία Ioudaia
first here Galileans Γαλιλαία Galilaia
first here Samaria Σαμάρεια Samareia
Why this rendering
Acts.9.31 Observation
Syntactic observation
ἡ ἐκκλησία καθ’ ὅλης τῆς Ἰουδαίας καὶ Γαλιλαίας καὶ Σαμαρείας — the assembly throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, singular. The Jerusalem assembly (5:11; 8:1) stretched over three regions is still one word in the singular — another place where this edition must hold one rendering, assembly. The base text brackets the whole verse ⸂⸃ (the Received Text reads a plural, assemblies). οἰκοδομουμένη, being built up, is the verb of building a house (Luke 6:48; Matt 16:18, I will build my assembly) — the promise of Matt 16:18 written here in the progressive. The fear of the Lord (τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ κυρίου) and the consolation of the Holy Spirit (τῇ παρακλήσει — Luke 2:25, the consolation of Israel) are a pair. The third of the summary sentences (2:47; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20).
Rendering options · 1
Adopted “the assembly … being built up” — singular, the verb of Matt 16:18
Basis The singular is not made plural (the base text marks that divide); οἰκοδομέω = build, as fixed.
32
Ἐγένετο δὲ Πέτρον διερχόμενον διὰ πάντων κατελθεῖν καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἁγίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Λύδδα.
Now it came to pass, as Peter was passing through all parts, that he went down also to the holy ones dwelling at Lydda.
first here Peter Πέτρος Petros
33
εὗρεν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπόν τινα ⸂ὀνόματι Αἰνέαν⸃ ἐξ ἐτῶν ὀκτὼ κατακείμενον ἐπὶ ⸀κραβάττου, ὃς ἦν παραλελυμένος.
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, lying on a mat for eight years, who was paralysed.
34
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος· Αἰνέα, ἰᾶταί σε Ἰησοῦς ⸀Χριστός· ἀνάστηθι καὶ στρῶσον σεαυτῷ· καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέστη.
And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your own bed.” And at once he rose.
35
καὶ εἶδαν αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες Λύδδα καὶ τὸν ⸀Σαρῶνα, οἵτινες ἐπέστρεψαν ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον.
And all who dwelt in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36
Ἐν Ἰόππῃ δέ τις ἦν μαθήτρια ὀνόματι Ταβιθά, ἣ διερμηνευομένη λέγεται Δορκάς· αὕτη ἦν πλήρης ⸂ἔργων ἀγαθῶν⸃ καὶ ἐλεημοσυνῶν ὧν ἐποίει.
Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which translated is called Dorcas. She was full of good works and alms which she was doing.
37
ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἀσθενήσασαν αὐτὴν ἀποθανεῖν· λούσαντες δὲ ⸂ἔθηκαν αὐτὴν⸃ ἐν ὑπερῴῳ.
And it came to pass in those days that she fell sick and died; and having washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
38
ἐγγὺς δὲ οὔσης Λύδδας τῇ Ἰόππῃ οἱ μαθηταὶ ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Πέτρος ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ ἀπέστειλαν ⸂δύο ἄνδρας⸃ πρὸς αὐτὸν παρακαλοῦντες· Μὴ ⸀ὀκνήσῃς διελθεῖν ἕως ⸀ἡμῶν·
Now since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging, “Do not delay to come over to us.”
39
ἀναστὰς δὲ Πέτρος συνῆλθεν αὐτοῖς· ὃν παραγενόμενον ἀνήγαγον εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον, καὶ παρέστησαν αὐτῷ πᾶσαι αἱ χῆραι κλαίουσαι καὶ ἐπιδεικνύμεναι χιτῶνας καὶ ἱμάτια ὅσα ἐποίει μετ’ αὐτῶν οὖσα ἡ Δορκάς.
And Peter rose and went with them; and when he arrived they brought him up into the upper room, and all the widows stood by him weeping and showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
40
ἐκβαλὼν δὲ ἔξω πάντας ὁ Πέτρος ⸀καὶ θεὶς τὰ γόνατα προσηύξατο, καὶ ἐπιστρέψας πρὸς τὸ σῶμα εἶπεν· Ταβιθά, ἀνάστηθι. ἡ δὲ ἤνοιξεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῆς, καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὸν Πέτρον ἀνεκάθισεν.
But Peter, putting them all outside and kneeling down, prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.
Why this rendering
Acts.9.40 Observation
Syntactic observation
Ταβιθά, ἀνάστηθι — Tabitha, rise. One letter from Mark 5:41's Ταλιθα κουμ (Talitha koum — little girl, rise): Ταβιθά against Ταλιθα. Peter repeats in Greek the Aramaic command with which Jesus raised Jairus's daughter — and the action before it is the same: putting them all outside (ἐκβαλὼν ἔξω πάντας — Mark 5:40, having put them all out). V.40 ἀνεκάθισεν, sat up, is the verb of the widow of Nain's son at Luke 7:15 (the dead man sat up) — its only two New Testament places. V.41 παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν, presented her alive, pairs with 1:3, he presented himself alive (παρέστησεν ἑαυτὸν ζῶντα) — the verb of the risen one used of the raised woman. V.36 μαθήτρια, a woman disciple, is unique in the New Testament.
Rendering options · 1
Adopted “Tabitha, rise”
Basis ἀνίστημι = rise, as fixed. The name transliterated (Tabitha) and the author's gloss kept in the fixed form, which translated is.
41
δοὺς δὲ αὐτῇ χεῖρα ἀνέστησεν αὐτήν, φωνήσας δὲ τοὺς ἁγίους καὶ τὰς χήρας παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν.
And giving her his hand he raised her up; and calling the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive.
42
γνωστὸν δὲ ἐγένετο καθ’ ὅλης ⸀τῆς Ἰόππης, καὶ ⸂ἐπίστευσαν πολλοὶ⸃ ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον.
And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43
ἐγένετο ⸀δὲ ἡμέρας ἱκανὰς ⸀μεῖναι ἐν Ἰόππῃ παρά τινι Σίμωνι βυρσεῖ.
And it came to pass that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.
first here Simon Σίμων Simōn