Acts 24:4
New International Version
But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

New Living Translation
But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment.

English Standard Version
But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.

Berean Standard Bible
But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.

Berean Literal Bible
But in order that I should not be a hindrance you to any longer, I implore you to hear us briefly, in your kindness.

King James Bible
Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

New King James Version
Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.

New American Standard Bible
But, that I may not weary you further, I beg you to grant us a brief hearing, by your kindness.

NASB 1995
“But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.

NASB 1977
“But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.

Legacy Standard Bible
But, that I may not weary you any further, I plead with you by your forbearance to hear us briefly.

Amplified Bible
But so that I do not weary you further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.

Christian Standard Bible
But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, so that I will not burden you any further, I beg you in your graciousness to give us a brief hearing.

American Standard Version
But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.

Contemporary English Version
I don't want to bother you, but please be patient with us and listen to me for just a few minutes.

English Revised Version
But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I don't want to keep you too long. Please listen to us. We will be brief.

Good News Translation
I do not want to take up too much of your time, however, so I beg you to be kind and listen to our brief account.

International Standard Version
But so as not to detain you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.

Majority Standard Bible
But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.

NET Bible
But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.

New Heart English Bible
But, that I do not delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

Webster's Bible Translation
Notwithstanding, that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldst of thy clemency hear us a few words.

Weymouth New Testament
But--not to detain you too long--I beg you in your forbearance to listen to a brief statement from us.

World English Bible
But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and that I may not be further tedious to you, I exhort you to hear us concisely in your gentleness;

Berean Literal Bible
But in order that I should not be a hindrance you to any longer, I implore you to hear us briefly, in your kindness.

Young's Literal Translation
and that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee to hear us concisely in thy gentleness;

Smith's Literal Translation
And that I hinder thee no more, I beseech thee to hear us concisely by thy clemency.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us in few words.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But lest I speak at too great a length, I beg you, by your clemency, to listen to us briefly.

New American Bible
But in order not to detain you further, I ask you to give us a brief hearing with your customary graciousness.

New Revised Standard Version
But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But while I desire not to weary you with lengthy discussions, nevertheless, I beg you to hear in brief our humble complaint.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But that we may not weary you with many things, I beg of you to hear our lowliness briefly.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But that I may not detain you longer, I beseech you to hear us, in your clemency, a few words.

Godbey New Testament
But in order that I may not weary you excessively, I exhort you to hear us patiently according to your clemency.

Haweis New Testament
Now that I may not be unnecessarily tedious to thee, I entreat thee to hear us briefly with thy wonted candour.

Mace New Testament
but not to trespass upon you too far, be pleas'd to hear what I have to say in brief, with your usual indulgence.

Weymouth New Testament
But--not to detain you too long--I beg you in your forbearance to listen to a brief statement from us.

Worrell New Testament
"But, that I detain you no longer, I pray you to hear us briefly in your clemency.

Worsley New Testament
But that I may not trespass upon thee too far, I beg thou wouldst hear us a few words with thy wonted goodness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Tertullus Prosecutes Paul
3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. 4But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly. 5We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,…

Cross References
Acts 23:24-26
Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.” / And he wrote the following letter: / Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.

Acts 25:2-3
where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus / to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

Acts 21:39-40
But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.” / Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew:

Acts 26:1-3
Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: / “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews, / especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.

Acts 22:1-2
“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” / When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. Then Paul declared,

Acts 25:7-8
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove. / Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

Acts 9:15
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

Acts 28:17-19
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. / They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me. / But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation.

Acts 18:14-15
But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint. / But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”

Acts 19:33
The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people.

Acts 6:12-14
So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Acts 7:1-2
Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” / And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

Acts 13:16
Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!

Acts 17:22
Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious.

Acts 22:30
The next day the commander, wanting to learn the real reason Paul was accused by the Jews, released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.


Treasury of Scripture

Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious to you, I pray you that you would hear us of your clemency a few words.

that.

Hebrews 11:32
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

Jump to Previous
Bear Beg Beseech Brief Briefly Delay Detain Entreat Few Forbearance Further Grant Hear Hearing Kind Kindness Mercy Notwithstanding Order Request Short Statement Time Tired Weary Words Wouldest
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Bear Beg Beseech Brief Briefly Delay Detain Entreat Few Forbearance Further Grant Hear Hearing Kind Kindness Mercy Notwithstanding Order Request Short Statement Time Tired Weary Words Wouldest
Acts 24
1. Paul being accused by Tertullus the orator,
10. answers for his life and doctrine.
24. He preaches Christ to the governor and his wife.
26. The governor hopes for a bribe, but in vain.
27. Felix, succeeded by Festus, leaves Paul in prison.














But in order not to burden you any further
This phrase reflects the rhetorical strategy of Tertullus, the orator hired to present the case against Paul. The Greek word for "burden" is "enkopto," which can mean to hinder or interrupt. Tertullus is attempting to show respect and deference to Felix, the Roman governor, by suggesting that he does not wish to take up too much of his time. Historically, this reflects the Roman judicial process where brevity and respect for authority were valued. Tertullus is using a common rhetorical device to gain favor with Felix, indicating the importance of persuasion in legal proceedings of the time.

I beg your indulgence
The phrase "I beg" comes from the Greek word "deomai," which means to request or entreat earnestly. This reflects a posture of humility and supplication. Tertullus is appealing to Felix's sense of fairness and patience. The use of "indulgence" suggests a request for leniency or understanding, which was a common practice in ancient courtrooms to curry favor with the judge. This approach underscores the hierarchical nature of Roman society, where those in power were often petitioned with great deference.

to hear us briefly
The word "hear" is translated from the Greek "akouo," which means to listen or give audience to. Tertullus is asking Felix to pay attention to their case, emphasizing the importance of being heard in a legal setting. The term "briefly" is from the Greek "suntomos," indicating conciseness. This reflects the cultural and procedural expectation of Roman courts to be efficient and to the point. Tertullus is strategically positioning his argument to be concise, which not only respects Felix's time but also aims to make a more impactful case by focusing on key points.

(4) That I be not further tedious . . .--Better, that I may not detain thee too long. Here again we note the tact of the sycophant. He speaks as if obliged to restrain himself from the further panegyrics which his feelings would naturally prompt.

Of thy clemency . . .--The Greek word expresses the idea of equitable consideration. The epithets of the hired orator stand in striking contrast with the "righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come," of which the Apostle afterwards spoke to the same ruler.

Verse 4. - But for notwithstanding, A.V.; I entreat thee for I pray thee, A.V.; to hear for that thou wouldest hear, A.V. Of thy clemency (τῇ σῇ ἐπιεικείᾳ). The word is rendered "gentleness" in 2 Corinthians 10:1, where alone it occurs in the New Testament; ἐπιείκης is most frequently rendered "gentle" (l Timothy 3:3 (R.V.); Titus 3:2; James 3:17; 1 Peter 2:18). A few words. The Greek has συντόμως, briefly, concisely, found only here in the New Testament, but common in classical Greek and especially in medical writers, where it means "rapidly," "in a short time."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

in order
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

not to burden
ἐνκόπτω (enkoptō)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1465: To interrupt, hinder. From en and kopto; to cut into, i.e. impede, detain.

you
σε (se)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

any further,
πλεῖόν (pleion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4119: Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.

I beg
παρακαλῶ (parakalō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

your
σῇ (sē)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4674: Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.

indulgence
ἐπιεικείᾳ (epieikeia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1932: Considerateness, forbearance, fairness, gentleness, mildness. From epieikes; suitableness, i.e. equity, mildness.

to hear
ἀκοῦσαί (akousai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

us
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

briefly.
συντόμως (syntomōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4935: Concisely, briefly. Adverb from a derivative of suntemno; concisely.


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