« | 1 Corinthians 3 | » |
1 And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
2 I gave you milk to drink, and not solid food; for you were not yet able [to receive it]. Indeed, neither are you now yet able;
3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal, and walking according to human principles?
4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I [am] of Apollos," are you not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord has given to each one?
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gives the increase.
7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are coworkers with God; you are God's field, you are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise architect I have laid the foundation, but another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay, other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation [with] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
13 each one's work shall be made manifest; for the Day shall reveal it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall test each one's work, as to what sort it is.
14 If anyone's work which he has built remains, he shall receive a reward.
15 If anyone's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, but so as through fire.
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If anyone destroys the temple of God, God shall destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which [temple] you are.
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness";
20 and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are useless."
21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours:
22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come-all things are yours.
23 And you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC)
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC) is a modern translation of the Bible that strives to offer a clear and faithful rendering of the scriptures in contemporary language. This translation is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, providing an easy-to-read yet accurate version of the biblical text. The ABC translation aims to bridge the gap between the ancient languages in which the Bible was originally written and the modern vernacular, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and public reading.
One of the notable features of the Apostles’ Bible Complete is its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original manuscripts. The translators of the ABC worked meticulously with the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to ensure that their translation accurately reflects the original meaning and intent of the scriptures. By employing a balance of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation techniques, the ABC aims to preserve the nuances and richness of the original languages while ensuring readability and clarity for modern readers.
The ABC also incorporates extensive cross-references and study aids to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These tools include footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, as well as explanations of difficult or ambiguous passages. This approach helps readers to grasp the deeper meanings of the scriptures and to see how different parts of the Bible interconnect. The inclusion of these study aids makes the ABC particularly useful for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for more experienced readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the Apostles’ Bible Complete has faced some criticisms. Some readers feel that the translation could benefit from further refinement in certain passages, as the balance between formal and dynamic equivalence can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in style and tone. Others have noted that while the study aids are helpful, they can occasionally overwhelm the main text, making it difficult to focus on the scripture itself. Nonetheless, the ABC remains a valuable and respected translation, appreciated for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and accessibility, and for its ability to bring the ancient words of the Bible to life for contemporary readers.