diff --git a/06 Mission/EJ-6.09-Acts-6.1-8.4.md b/06 Mission/EJ-6.09-Acts-6.1-8.4.md index 780eab8..db1250d 100644 --- a/06 Mission/EJ-6.09-Acts-6.1-8.4.md +++ b/06 Mission/EJ-6.09-Acts-6.1-8.4.md @@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ So there began on that day a great persecution against the church that was in Je ### Passage Translation (with notes) -6:1 Now in these days,[^] when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint by the Grecian Jews began against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 The twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, "It is not right for us to give up the word of God [^] in order to serve tables. 3 You should therefore choose, brothers, seven men from among yourselves, men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 As for us, we will always continue in prayer and in the ministry of the word." 5 Their speech pleased the whole multitude. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 The believers brought these men before the apostles, who prayed and then placed their hands upon them. +6:1 Now in these days,[^] when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint by the Grecian Jews began against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 The twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, "It is not right for us to give up the word of God[^] in order to serve tables. 3 You should therefore choose, brothers, seven men from among yourselves, men of good reputation,[^] full of the Spirit and of wisdom,[^] whom we may appoint over this business.[^] 4 As for us, we will always continue in prayer and in the ministry of the word."[^] 5 Their speech pleased the whole multitude.[^] So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,[^] and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 The believers brought these men before the apostles, who prayed and then placed their hands upon them.[^] [^ ]: **6:1** **Now in these days** (**L**: *Now in those days* | **S**: *During that time*). Luke is using the term **days** idiomatically to refer to a specific time. Translate **Now in these days** to mean during that time or in that period. @@ -103,13 +103,13 @@ So there began on that day a great persecution against the church that was in Je [^ ]: **6:6** **prayed and then placed their hands upon them** (**L**: *having prayed, they placed their hands upon them* | **S**: *As they prayed, they placed their hands on the men’s heads to show that they approved of them to do that work.*) The praying and laying on of hands describes a ceremonial act where the apostles prayed for God's blessing and guidance, and then physically laid their hands on the seven men who were selected as a symbol of commissioning and imparting spiritual authority or blessing. The act of praying and laying hands on individuals, not only symbolizes seeking divine blessing and conferring spiritual authority within the Christian community but also demonstrates deep reverence and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, as it reflects a humble submission to divine will and an invocation of God's presence and guidance in the undertaking of church responsibilities. Translate **prayed and then placed their hands upon them** to mean they prayed for them with their hands placed upon them. -7 So the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith. +7 So the word of God continued to spread,[^] and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith.[^] [^ ]: **6:7** **So the word of God continued to spread** (**L**: *So the word of God kept spreading* | **S**: *More and more people were hearing the news about Jesus.*) The actions and decisions taken by apostles and the early Christian community (the effective organization and the delegation of roles) resulted in a significant and ongoing increase in the reach and impact of God's word. Luke is speaking figuratively of the way the message about Jesus kept becoming more widespread, as if the word of God itself were **growing**. When the church works well together, it helps more people learn about and follow God's teachings. Additionally, harmonious collaboration and dedication among believers can significantly enhance the spread of the Gospel and its acceptance among wider audiences. Translate **So the word of God continued to spread** to mean more and more people were hearing the word of God. [^ ]: **6:7** **became obedient to the faith** (**L**: *became obedient to the faith* | **S**: *They put their trust in Jesus as the Messiah and so they began to live in the way he said they should.*) The priests were not only accepting the teachings of the faith intellectually but were also committing themselves to live according to the principles, demonstrating a transformation in belief and behavior. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **faith**, you could express the same idea with a verb such as “believe.” Faith involves not only accepting God's teachings but also living them out in daily life, demonstrating a deep, personal relationship with God through actions and decisions. Translate **became obedient to the faith** to mean the priests came to believe in Jesus and so started obeying his teachings. -8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But there arose some people who belonged to the synagogue called the synagogue of the Freedmen, of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia. These people were debating with Stephen. 10 But they were not able to stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. 11 Then they bribed some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they approached Stephen and seized him and brought him before the council. 13 They brought false witnesses, who said, "This man does not stop speaking words against this holy place and the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." 15 Everyone who sat in the council fixed their eyes on him and saw his face was like the face of an angel. +8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power,[^] was doing great wonders and signs among the people.[^] 9 But there arose[^] some people who belonged to the synagogue called the synagogue of the Freedmen, of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia. These people were debating with Stephen. 10 But they were not able to stand against[^] the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.[^] 11 Then they bribed some men to say,[^] "We have heard[^] Stephen speak blasphemous words[^] against Moses and against God." 12 They stirred up[^] the people, the elders, and the scribes,[^] and they approached Stephen and seized him and brought him before the council. 13 They brought false witnesses, who said, "This man does not stop speaking words against this holy place and the law.[^] 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." 15 Everyone who sat in the council fixed their eyes on him and saw his face was like the face of an angel.[^] [^ ]: **6:8** **full of grace and power** (**L**: *full of grace and power* | **S**: *God was giving Stephen power*) Stephen was abundantly endowed with God's favor and spiritual strength, enabling him to perform remarkable deeds and effectively convey the message of the Christian faith. Luke may be using the two words **grace** and **power** together to express a single idea. The word grace would describe the character of the power that Stephen had. Specifically, it would be power that God was giving him. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the ideas behind the words **grace** and **power**, you could express the same ideas with adverbs. God's grace not only offers forgiveness and favor but also empowers believers for significant actions and impactful ministry. It reflects the belief that spiritual power, a gift from God, is crucial for effectively communicating and demonstrating the truths of the faith. Translate **full of grace and power** to mean Stephen had abundant grace and power. @@ -135,10 +135,10 @@ So there began on that day a great persecution against the church that was in Je [^ ]: **6:15** **saw his face was like the face of an angel.** (**L**: *saw his face as the face of an angel* | **S**: *and saw that his face resembled the face of an angel*) Stephen's observers noticed a remarkable change in his appearance, suggesting a sense of peace, innocence, or divinity like that typically associated with angels. This transformation, occurring as he faced serious accusations, could imply a divine presence or approval, reflecting his righteousness and the spiritual nature of his mission. It contrasts the hostility of the situation with a serene, holy countenance, indicating Stephen's deep connection with the Lord even in the midst of adversity. Luke offers this comparison but he does not say specifically in what way Stephen’s face was like **the face of an angel**. However, this may mean that his face was shining brightly since descriptions of angels in the Bible often say they were shining brightly. In times of trial or opposition, Christians can be graced with a sense of peace and divine presence, reflecting God's support and sanctity in their lives. Translate **saw his face was like the face of an angel** to mean that they saw that Stephen's face was shining brightly, like the face of an angel. -7:1 The high priest said, "Are these things true?" 2 Stephen said, "Brothers and fathers, listen to me: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran; 3 he said to him, 'Leave your land and your relatives, and go into the land that I will show you.' 4 Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran; from there, after his father died, God brought him into this land, where you live now. 5 He gave none of it as an inheritance to him, no, not even enough to set a foot on. But he promised—even though Abraham had no child yet—that he would give the land as a possession to him and to his descendants after him. 6 God was speaking to him like this, that his descendants would live for a while in a foreign land, and that the inhabitants there would bring them into slavery and treat them badly for four hundred years. 7 'But I will judge the nation that they serve,' said God, 'and after that they will come out and worship me in this place.' 8 Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, so Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of the twelve patriarchs. 9 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him into Egypt; but God was with him 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who had made him governor over Egypt and over all his household. 11 Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great suffering, and our fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first trip. 13 On their second trip Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh. 14 Joseph sent his brothers back to tell Jacob his father to come to Egypt, along with all his relatives, seventy-five persons in all. 15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers. 16 They were carried over to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a price in silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. 17 As the time of the promise approached, the promise that God had made to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18 until there arose another king over Egypt, a king who did not know about Joseph. 19 He deceived our people and forced our fathers to expose their newborn infants so they would not be kept alive. 20 At that time Moses was born; he was very beautiful before God and was nourished for three months in his father's house. 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and raised him as her own son. 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and works. 23 But when he was about forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 Seeing an Israelite being mistreated, Moses defended him and avenged him who was oppressed by striking the Egyptian: 25 he thought that his brothers would understand that God by his hand was rescuing them, but they did not understand. 26 On the next day he came to some Israelites as they were quarreling; he tried to put them at peace with each other; he said, 'Men, you are brothers; why are you hurting one another?' 27 But the one who had wronged his neighbor pushed him away, and said, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Would you like to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' 29 Moses ran away after hearing this; he became a foreigner in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons. 30 When forty years were past, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw the fire, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look at it, there came a voice of the Lord, saying, 32 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' Moses trembled and did not dare to look. 33 The Lord said to him, 'Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have certainly seen the suffering of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them; now come, I will send you to Egypt.' 35 This Moses whom they rejected, when they said, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?'—he was the one whom God sent as both a ruler and deliverer. God sent him by the hand of the angel who appeared to Moses in the bush. 36 Moses led them out of Egypt, after doing miracles and signs in Egypt and at the Sea of Reeds, and in the wilderness during forty years. 37 It is the same Moses who said to the people of Israel, 'God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, a prophet like me.' 38 This is the man who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. This is the man who was with our fathers; this is the man who received living words to give to us. 39 This is the man whom our fathers refused to obey; they pushed him away from themselves, and in their hearts they turned back to Egypt. 40 At that time they said to Aaron, 'Make us gods who will lead us. As for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.' 41 So they made a calf in those days and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced because of the work of their hands. 42 But God turned and gave them up to worship the stars in the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, +7:1 The high priest[^] said, "Are these things true?" 2 Stephen said, "Brothers and fathers,[^] listen to me: The God of glory[^] appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran; 3 he said to him, 'Leave your land and your relatives, and go into the land that I will show you.' 4 Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran; from there, after his father died, God brought him into this land,[^] where you live now. 5 He gave none of it as an inheritance to him,[^] no, not even enough to set a foot on. But he promised—even though Abraham had no child yet—that he would give the land as a possession to him and to his descendants after him.[^] 6 God was speaking to him like this,[^] that his descendants would live for a while in a foreign land, and that the inhabitants there would bring them into slavery and treat them badly for four hundred years. 7 'But I will judge the nation that they serve,' said God,[^] 'and after that they will come out and worship me in this place.' 8 Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision,[^] so Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of the twelve patriarchs.[^] 9 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him into Egypt;[^] but God was with him[^]10 and rescued him from all his troubles.[^] He gave Joseph favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh,[^] king of Egypt, who had made him governor over Egypt and over all his household. 11 Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great suffering,[^] and our fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt,[^] he sent out our fathers on their first trip. 13 On their second trip Joseph made himself known to his brothers,[^] and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh. 14 Joseph sent his brothers back to tell Jacob his father to come to Egypt, along with all his relatives, seventy-five persons in all. 15 So Jacob went down into Egypt,[^] and he died, he and our fathers. 16 They were carried over to Shechem and laid in the tomb[^] that Abraham had bought for a price in silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. 17 As the time of the promise approached, the promise that God had made to Abraham,[^] the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,[^] 18 until there arose another king over Egypt,[^] a king who did not know about Joseph. 19 He deceived our people and forced our fathers to expose their newborn infants[^] so they would not be kept alive. 20 At that time Moses was born; he was very beautiful before God[^] and was nourished for three months in his father's house.[^] 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and raised him[^] as her own son. 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,[^] and he was mighty in his words and works.[^] 23 But when he was about forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers,[^] the children of Israel. 24 Seeing an Israelite being mistreated, Moses defended him and avenged him who was oppressed by striking the Egyptian:[^] 25 he thought that his brothers would understand that God by his hand was rescuing them,[^] but they did not understand. 26 On the next day he came to some Israelites as they were quarreling; he tried to put them at peace with each other; he said, 'Men, you are brothers; why are you hurting one another?'[^] 27 But the one who had wronged his neighbor pushed him away, and said, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?[^] 28 Would you like to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'[^] 29 Moses ran away after hearing this;[^] he became a foreigner in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons. 30 When forty years were past,[^] an angel appeared to him[^] in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw the fire, he marveled at the sight;[^] and as he approached to look at it, there came a voice of the Lord,[^] saying, 32 'I am the God of your fathers,[^] the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' Moses trembled and did not dare to look. 33 The Lord said to him, 'Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.[^] 34 I have certainly seen[^] the suffering of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them;[^] now come, I will send you to Egypt.' 35 This Moses whom they rejected, when they said, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?'—he was the one whom God sent as both a ruler and deliverer. God sent him by the hand of the angel who appeared to Moses in the bush. 36 Moses led them out of Egypt, after doing miracles and signs[^] in Egypt and at the Sea of Reeds, and in the wilderness during forty years. 37 It is the same Moses who said to the people of Israel, 'God will raise up a prophet for you[^] from among your brothers, a prophet like me.' 38 This is the man who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. This is the man who was with our fathers; this is the man who received living words[^] to give to us. 39 This is the man whom our fathers refused to obey;[^] they pushed him away from themselves,[^] and in their hearts they turned back to Egypt.[^] 40 At that time they said to Aaron, 'Make us gods who will lead us.[^] As for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.' 41 So they made a calf[^] in those days and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced because of the work of their hands.[^] 42 But God turned[^] and gave them up to worship the stars in the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, -'Did you offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices -for forty years in the wilderness, house of Israel? +'Did you offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices[^] +for forty years in the wilderness, house of Israel?[^] 43 You accepted the tabernacle of Molech and the star of the god Rephan, and the images that you made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.' @@ -252,11 +252,11 @@ and the star of the god Rephan, and the images that you made to worship them: an [^ ]: **7:42** **house of Israel** (**L**: *O house of Israel* | **S**: *You Israelite people*) This phrase refers collectively to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, representing the entire nation or community of the Israelites in the context of their religious and cultural identity. Here, **house** means all the people descended from a particular person. Translate **house of Israel** to mean the nation of Israel. -44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, just as God commanded when he spoke to Moses, that he should make it like the pattern that he had seen. 45 Later, our fathers, under Joshua, received the tabernacle and brought it with them when they took possession of the land. God took the land from the nations and drove them out before the face of our fathers. The tabernacle remained in the land until the time of David, 46 who found favor in the sight of God, and he asked if he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built the house for God. 48 However, the Most High does not live in houses made with hands, as the prophet says, +44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony[^] in the wilderness, just as God commanded when he spoke to Moses, that he should make it like the pattern that he had seen.[^] 45 Later, our fathers, under Joshua, received the tabernacle and brought it with them when they took possession of the land. God took the land from the nations[^] and drove them out before the face of our fathers. The tabernacle remained in the land until the time of David,[^] 46 who found favor in the sight of God,[^] and he asked if he might find a dwelling place[^] for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built the house for God. 48 However, the Most High[^] does not live in houses made with hands, as the prophet says, -49 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool for my feet. +49 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool for my feet.[^] What kind of house can you build for me? says the Lord, or what is the place for my rest? -50 Did my hand not make all these things?' +50 Did my hand not make all these things?'[^] [^ ]: **7:44** **the tabernacle of the testimony** (**L**: *The tabernacle of the testimony* | **S**: *they worshiped God at the sacred tent that showed that he was there with them*) This was a sacred tent-like structure used by the Israelites as a place of worship and a physical symbol of God's presence, where the Ark of the Covenant and the tablets of testimony were housed. Stephen calls this tent the **tabernacle of the testimony** by association with the way it housed the ark of the covenant, which was also known as the ark of the testimony. Translate **tabernacle of the testimony** to mean the tent that housed the ark of the covenant. @@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ What kind of house can you build for me? says the Lord, or what is the place for [^ ]: **7:50** **Did my hand not make all these things?** (**L**: *Did my hand not make all these things?* | **S**: *I created everything in heaven and on earth*) God, as the creator of all things, has played a fundamental role in bringing everything into existence. God is using one part of himself, his **hand**, to represent all of himself figuratively in the act of creating. If your readers might misunderstand this, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. Christians are to trust in God's providence and seek His guidance and purpose in their lives, knowing that the same hand that created all things is capable of sustaining and directing their path. Translate **Did my hand not make all these things?** to mean God stating Did I not make all these things? -51 You people who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit; you act just as your fathers acted. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed the prophets who appeared in advance of the coming of the Righteous One; and you have now become the betrayers and murderers of him also, 53 you people who received the law that angels had established, but you did not keep it." +51 You people who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,[^] you always resist the Holy Spirit;[^] you act just as your fathers acted. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?[^] They killed the prophets who appeared in advance of the coming of the Righteous One;[^] and you have now become the betrayers and murderers of him also, 53 you people who received[^] the law that angels had established, but you did not keep it." [^ ]: **7:51** **You people who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears** (**L**: *O stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears* | **S**: *You people are disobedient to God, as if you did not even know God*) Stephen is delivering a rebuke, describing these leaders as stubborn and spiritually unresponsive, implying that they resist God's guidance and have hardened their hearts and ears to His message. Stephen is using the adjective **stiff-necked** as a noun, to describe a kind of person. If not, you can translate this with an equivalent expression. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. Stephen speaks figuratively of the Sanhedrin members’ **heart and ears** as **uncircumcised** by association with the way that Gentiles, who are uncircumcised because they are not part of the covenant community, do not obey or listen to God. Believers must cultivate a humble and open heart to God's teachings, avoiding stubbornness and spiritual resistance, in order to truly receive and respond to His guidance and grace. Translate **You people who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears** to mean you people are stubborn and unwilling to obey or listen to God. @@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ What kind of house can you build for me? says the Lord, or what is the place for [^ ]: **7:53** **you people who received** (**L**: *who received* | **S**: *You are the people who have received*) The people being addressed had received and were entrusted with the divine law and teachings from God. The pronoun **who** refers to the Sanhedrin members whom Stephen is addressing. Believers have a responsibility to honor and follow the divine teachings they have received, which emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with God's guidance and word. Translate **you people who received** to mean Your community received. -54 Now when the council members heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they ground their teeth at Stephen. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up intently into heaven and saw the glory of God; and he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 Stephen said, "Look, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57 At this the council members covered their ears, and shouting out with a loud voice, altogether they rushed at him. 58 They dragged him out of the city where they began to stone him, and the witnesses laid down their outer clothing at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 As they were stoning Stephen, he was calling out to the Lord and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 He knelt down and called out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. +54 Now when the council members heard these things,[^] they were cut to the heart,[^] and they ground their teeth at Stephen.[^] 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit,[^] looked up intently into heaven and saw[^] the glory of God;[^] and he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.[^] 56 Stephen said, "Look, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man[^] standing at the right hand of God."[^] 57 At this the council members covered their ears, and shouting out with a loud voice, altogether they rushed at him.[^] 58 They dragged him out of the city[^] where they began to stone him, and the witnesses[^] laid down their outer clothing at the feet of a young man named Saul.[^] 59 As they were stoning Stephen, he was calling out[^] to the Lord and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."[^] 60 He knelt down[^] and called out with a loud voice,[^] "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."[^] When he had said this, he fell asleep.[^] [^ ]: **7:54** **heard these things** (**L**: *hearing these things* | **S**: *heard all that Stephen said*) This phrase indicates that the audience had listened to the preceding message or accusations presented by Stephen. Translate **heard these things** to mean when the Sanhedrin heard all that Stephen said. @@ -330,11 +330,11 @@ What kind of house can you build for me? says the Lord, or what is the place for [^ ]: **7:60** **he fell asleep** (**L**: *he fell asleep* | **S**: *he died*) This phrase is a euphemism used to describe Stephen's death, conveying a peaceful end and the belief in the continuation of life beyond physical death. Luke is describing the death of Stephen when he says **he fell asleep**. This is a polite way of referring to something unpleasant. If this would be misunderstood in your language, use a different polite way of referring to this or use plain language. Falling asleep here symbolizes the peaceful transition from earthly life to eternal life with God, reflecting a hopeful perspective on death as not an end, but a restful step into the next phase of existence with the Lord. Translate **he fell asleep** to mean Stephen died. -8:1 Saul was in agreement with his death. +8:1 Saul was in agreement with his death.[^] [^ ]: **8:1** **Saul was in agreement with his death.** (**L**: *And Saul was agreeing with his execution* | **S**: *Saul thought the Sanhedrin had done the right thing by stoning Stephen.*) This phrase indicates that Saul (later known as Paul) approved of and supported the execution of Stephen, highlighting his initial role as a persecutor of Christians before his conversion. Saul's life prior to his conversion serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God's grace; as Saul, once a persecutor of Christians, later becomes a major proponent of the Christian faith. Translate **Saul was in agreement with his death** to mean Saul approved of the Sanhedrin executing Stephen. -So there began on that day a great persecution against the church that was in Jerusalem; and the believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul greatly harmed the church; he went into house after house and dragged out men and women, and put them into prison. 4 Yet the believers who had been scattered went about proclaiming the word. +So there began on that day a great persecution against the church[^] that was in Jerusalem; and the believers were all scattered[^] throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.[^] 3 But Saul greatly harmed the church; he went into house after house and dragged out men and women,[^] and put them into prison. 4 Yet the believers who had been scattered[^] went about proclaiming the word.[^] [^ ]: **8:1** **So there began on that day a great persecution against the church** (**L**: *And on that day a great persecution began against the church* | **S**: *On that same day, people {Saul was leading} started severely persecuting the believers*) This phrase signifies the commencement of a severe and widespread oppression directed towards the early Christian community. Here, day is not a figurative word for “time.” Luke is referring to a specific day, the day on which Stephen was killed. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. The challenges and adversity that early Christians faced are still being experienced today by believers all over the world, and it teaches believers that their faith may encounter opposition, but they should remain steadfast in their beliefs and commitment to the God and the Church. Translate **So there began on that day a great persecution against the church** to mean on the day that Stephen was killed, a great persecution against the church.