« | 1 John 4 | » |
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 By this the Spirit of God is known: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
3 and every spirit which does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the [spirit] of the Antichrist, which you have heard that it is coming, and now is already in the world.
4 You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
5 They are of the world: on account of this they speak of the world, and the world hears them.
6 We are of God. He that knows God hears us; [he] that is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; and everyone that loves has been born of God and knows God.
8 He that does not love does not know God, because God is love.
9 By this the love of God is manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, in order that we might live through Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if in this way God loved us, indeed we ought to love one another.
12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
13 (By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.)
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
16 And we have come to know and believe the love which God has in us. God is love, and he that abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
17 By this love has been perfected with us: that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because just as He is, we also are in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment. But he that fears has not been made perfect in love.
19 We love Him because He first loved us.
20 If anyone claims, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how is it possible [for him] to love God whom he has not seen?
21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God should love his brother also.
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.