« | 2 Chronicles 13 | » |
1 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah.
2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Maachah, daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
3 And Abijah set the battle in array with an army, with mighty men of war, [even] four hundred thousand mighty men. And Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand, [they were] mighty warriors of the army.
4 And Abijah rose up from Mount Zemaraim, which is in Mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, Jeroboam and all Israel:
5 [Is it] not for you to know that the Lord God of Israel has given a king over Israel forever to David, and to his sons, by a covenant of salt?
6 But Jeroboam the [son] of Nebat, the servant of Solomon [the son] of David, has risen up, and has revolted from his master.
7 And there are gathered to him pestilent men, transgressors, and he has risen up against Rehoboam the [son] of Solomon, while Rehoboam was young and fearful in heart, and he withstood him not.
8 And now you profess to resist the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David, and you [are] a great multitude, and with you are golden calves, which Jeroboam made you, as gods.
9 Did you not cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make for yourselves priests of the people of any [other] land? Whoever came to consecrate himself with a calf of the herd and seven rams, he then became a priest to that which is no god.
10 But we have not forsaken the Lord our God, and His priests, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, ministers unto the Lord; and in their daily courses
11 they sacrifice to the Lord whole burnt offerings, morning and evening, and compound incense, and [set] the showbread on the pure table; and [there is] the golden lampstand, and the lamps for burning, to light in the evening; for we keep the charge of the Lord God of our fathers; but you have forsaken Him.
12 And behold, the Lord and His priests are with us at our head, and the signal trumpets to sound an alarm over us. Children of Israel, fight not against the Lord God of our fathers; for you shall not prosper.
13 Now Jeroboam had caused an ambush to come round upon him from behind; and he [himself] was before Judah, and the ambush behind.
14 And Judah looked back, and behold, the battle [was] against them, ahead and behind. And they cried to the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
15 And the men of Judah shouted. And it came to pass, when the men of Judah shouted, that the Lord struck Jeroboam and Israel before Abijah and Judah.
16 And the children of Israel fled from before Judah; and the Lord delivered them into their hands.
17 And Abijah and his people struck them with a great slaughter; and there fell slain of Israel five hundred thousand mighty men.
18 So the children of Israel were brought low in that day, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they trusted on the Lord God of their fathers.
19 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and he took from him the cities, Bethel and her towns, and Jeshanah and her towns, and Ephron and her towns.
20 And Jeroboam did not recover strength again all the days of Abijah. And the Lord struck him, and he died.
21 But Abijah strengthened himself, and took to himself fourteen wives, and he begot twenty-two sons, and sixteen daughters.
22 And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his deeds, and his sayings, are written in the book of the prophet Iddo.
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.