Acts 27:29

Because they were afraid ¹  that we would run aground on the rocky coast, ²  they threw out ³  four anchors from the stern and wished ⁴  for day to appear. ⁵ 

Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.

Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak.

At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.

Afraid that we were about to run aground, they threw out four anchors and prayed for daylight.

Then, fearing that by chance we might come on to the rocks, they let down four hooks from the back of the ship, and made prayers for the coming of day.

Fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.

Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.

Because they were afraid ¹  that we would run aground on the rocky coast, ²  they threw out ³  four anchors from the stern and wished ⁴  for day to appear. ⁵ 

¹ tn Grk “fearing.” The participle φοβούμενοι (foboumenoi) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.

² tn Grk “against a rough [rocky] place.” L&N 79.84 has “φοβούμενοί τε μή που κατὰ τραχεῖς τόποις ἐκπέσωμεν ‘we were afraid that we would run aground on the rocky coast’ Ac 27:29.”

³ tn Grk “throwing out…they.” The participle ῥίψαντες (rJiyante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

⁴ tn BDAG 417 s.v. εὔχομαι 2 states, “wish…τὶ for someth.…Foll. by acc. and inf….Ac 27:29.” The other possible meaning for this term, “pray,” is given in BDAG 417 s.v. 1 and employed by a number of translations (NAB, NRSV, NIV). If this meaning is adopted here, then “prayed for day to come” must be understood metaphorically to mean “prayed that they would live to see the day,” or “prayed that it would soon be day.”

⁵ tn Grk “and wished for day to come about.”

sn And wished for day to appear. The sailors were hoping to hold the ship in place until morning, when they could see what was happening and where they were.