« | 2 Chronicles 3 | » |
1 And Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared to his father David, in the place which David had prepared in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
2 And he began to build in the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
3 And thus Solomon began to build the house of God: the length in cubits-even the first measurement from end to end, was sixty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
4 And the porch in front of the house, its length in front of the breadth of the house [was] twenty cubits, and its height a hundred and twenty cubits: and he gilded it within with pure gold.
5 And he lined the great house with cedar wood, and gilded it with pure gold, and carved upon it palm trees and chains.
6 And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty; and he gilded it with gold of the gold from Parvaim.
7 And he gilded the house, and its [inner] walls, and the doorposts, and the roofs, and the doors with gold; and he carved cherubim on the walls.
8 And he built the Holy of Holies, its length was according to the front [of the other house], the breadth of the house [was] twenty cubits, and the length twenty cubits; and he gilded [it] with pure gold for cherubim, to [the amount of] six hundred talents.
9 And the weight of the nails, [even] the weight of each was fifty shekels of gold; and he gilded the upper chamber with gold.
10 And he made two cherubim in the Most Holy Place, woodwork, and he gilded them with gold.
11 And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits in length; and one wing of five cubits touched the wall of the house. And the other wing of five cubits touched the wing of the other cherub.
12 [This translation omits this verse.]
13 And the wings of these cherubim expanded were of the length of twenty cubits; and they stood upon their feet, and their faces were toward the house.
14 And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and wove cherubim in it.
15 Also he made in front of the house two pillars, in height thirty-five cubits, and their chapters of five cubits.
16 And he made chains, [as] in the oracle, and put [them] on the heads of the pillars; and he made a hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
17 And he set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left. And he called the name of the one on the right hand 'Stability,' and the name of the one on the left 'Strength.'
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.