At first, it didn't look like enough states would ratify it.

起初，好像没有足够多的州会批准它。

Only after a long and acrimonious debate did enough states ratify the instrument to put it into effect.

只有经过漫长而激烈的辩论后，才有足够多的国家批准该文书并将其付诸实施。

After much debate and revision, first in the Congress, and then in the states, ten amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, over three years after the US Constitution had become law.

经过多次辩论和修改，首先是在国会，然后是各州，十项修正案于 1791 年 12 月 15 日获得批准，此时美国宪法已成为法律三年多。