« | 1 Peter 2 | » |
1 Therefore having put away all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all slanders,
2 as newborn babes, desire the genuine milk of the word, that by it you may grow,
3 if indeed you tasted that the Lord is good.
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, having been rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
5 you also, as living stones, are being built [into] a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I place in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, precious, and he who believes on Him shall by no means be put to shame."
7 Therefore, to you who believe, [He] is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,"
8 and "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's [own] possession, that you may proclaim the excellent virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 who formerly [were] not a people but now [are the] people of God, who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I implore you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from the lusts of the flesh which war against the soul;
12 having your manner of life noble among the Gentiles, so that, whenever they speak against you as evildoers, when they observe the good works, they may glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Therefore subject yourselves to every human institution on account of the Lord: whether to the king as [to one] having authority,
14 or to governors, as to those being sent for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise [of those] doing good.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish men--
16 as free, yet not using freedom as a cover for wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
17 Honor all [people]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18 Servants, subject yourselves to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked.
19 For this is admirable, if because of conscience toward God someone endures pain, suffering unjustly.
20 For what glory [is it], if when you sin and are beaten, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer [for it], you endure, this is admirable before God.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving behind an example for you, that you should follow in His footsteps,
22 "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, being verbally abused, did not return verbal insults, when [He] suffered, [He] did not threaten, but committed [Himself] to Him who judges righteously;
24 who Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, in order that having died to sins, we might live unto righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but you have turned back now to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
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.