16:4a
As they went from town to town: This clause probably covers Paul and Silas’ travels beginning in 15:41 and going to 16:6. For example:
As they went on their way through the cities (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
In all the cities they visited
they: This pronoun refers to Paul, Silas, and Timothy here.
town: Here the Greek word is often translated as “city.” There is also a Greek word for “village.” The Greek word for town is a combination: “village-city.” Here the relative size is not important. Use a word that can be applied to any of these towns/cities. In some languages the general word is “village.” You should not use a word that refers only to large, modern cities.
16:4b
delivered: This word refers to giving something. For example:
gave (New Century Version)
Paul and Silas probably told them rather than giving them a piece of paper with the decisions written on them. (Or they may have shown the original letter to them.) In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to giving a physical object rather than rules. If that is true in your language, use a different verb. For example:
instructing the believers to follow the decisions (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
told (Contemporary English Version)
the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem: This clause refers to the four rules of 15:29. This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
the decisions that the apostles and elders in Jerusalem handed down
-or-
what the apostles and elders in Jerusalem decided
handed down: Here the words handed down refer to something that was decided. For example:
decided upon (Good News Translation)
16:4c
for the people to obey: Here the word people refers to believers, and in particular Gentile believers. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to all people. If that is true in your language, refer specifically to believers. For example:
for the believers to obey
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