# can bear witness

"can testify" or "can tell you"

# I received letters from them

"The high priests and elders gave me letters"

# for the brothers in Damascus

Here "brothers" refers to "fellow Jews."

# to bring them back in bonds to Jerusalem

"They ordered me to bind with chains those of the Way and bring them back to Jerusalem"

# in order for them to be punished

This can be stated in active form. AT: "in order that they may receive punishment" or "in order that the Jewish authorities could punish them" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])