« | 1 Thessalonians 4 | » |
1 Finally then, brothers, we request of you and exhort [you] in the Lord Jesus, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you should abound more.
2 For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is [the] will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from fornication,
4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God,
6 that no one should transgress against and to defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger concerning all, just as we told you before and solemnly testified.
7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in sanctification.
8 Therefore he who rejects [this] does not reject man, but God, who has given His Holy Spirit to you.
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need [for me] to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
10 For indeed you do so toward all the brothers in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you increase more and more,
11 and that you aspire to be quiet, and to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, just as we commanded you,
12 in order that you may walk decently toward those outside, and may have need of nothing.
13 Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who have died, lest you be sorrowful as those who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose [again], thus also God will bring with Him those who die in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall by no means precede those who are dead.
16 Because the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a word of command, with [the] voice of an archangel, and with [the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
17 Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 So then comfort one another with these words.
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.