Paragraph 22:12–13
22:12a–13a
22:12a introduces Ananias to the story, and 22:12b–c tells some things about him. 22:13a then continues the story. For example:
12a
A certain Ananias, 12bwho was a devout man according to the law 12cand well spoken of by all the Jews living there, 13acame to me (New Revised Standard Version)
Consider how to introduce Ananias here in your language, and continue the story about Paul in 22:13. Other ways to translate this meaning are:
12aIn that city was a man named Ananias, 12ba religious man who obeyed our Law 12cand was highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13aHe came to me (Good News Translation)
-or-
12aSomeone called Ananias, 12ba devout follower of the Law 12cand highly thought of by all the Jews living there, 13acame to see me (New Jerusalem Bible)
You may want to reorder the information. For example:
12aA man named Ananias 13a came to see me. 12bHe was a devout observer of the law 12cand highly respected by all the Jews living there. (New International Version)
22:12a
There a man named Ananias: This phrase in Greek is literally “a certain Ananias.” The word “certain” probably indicates that Paul did not expect those listening to him to know who this Ananias was. The word also indicates that this Ananias was not the Jewish high priest. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
A certain Ananias (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
There a man named Ananias (New Century Version)
-or-
In that city there was a man named Ananias (Contemporary English Version)
22:12b
a devout observer of the law: This phrase in Greek is literally “devout according to the law.” This phrase indicates that Ananias obeyed God as the law of Moses said to. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
a devout man according to the law (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
a godly man as the law ⌊of Moses⌋ said one should live
-or-
a devout-worshiper, in harmony with all which is contained in our laws
See how you translated this word in 2:5 and 8:2, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “God-fearing.”
22:12c
who was highly regarded by all the Jews living there: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as highly regarded indicates that the Jews in Damascus said Ananias was a very good man. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he had a good reputation among all the Jews living there
-or-
all the Jews living there respected him very much
See how you translated highly regarded in 10:22 (“with a good reputation”) or 16:2 (“spoke well of him”).
living there: The word there refers to Damascus here.
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