Some languages do not possess two such distinct terms as “look” and “see.” Both forms of perception may be included in a single verb. I have looked and seen translates a Semitic idiom “seeing I have seen,” which may be taken as a means of expressing emphasis (see Revised Standard Version “I have surely seen”; New English Bible “I have indeed seen”).

The construction seen the cruel suffering of my people in Egypt must often be changed to read “seen how my people in Egypt suffer so much” or as in some languages “seen how the people in Egypt beat my people so severely.”

The sequence involved in I have heard their groans may be restructured in some languages as “they groan and I hear them.”

In the statement come now, I will send you to Egypt, the first phrase come now translates an imperative, and I will send represents a subjunctive with a hortatory meaning, “let me send” (see Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible). A literal rendering of come now may be quite vague. Therefore, one may wish to use, as in some languages, “come here” or “come listen.”

A number of languages are quite specific with regard to whether a person has been in a place before. Accordingly, the last clause of verse 34 must then be rendered as “I will send you back to Egypt.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .