« | Acts 14 | » |
1 And it came to pass in Iconium that they went in together into the synagogue of the Jews, and they spoke in a way so that a great multitude, both of the Jews and of the Greeks, believed.
2 But the disbelieving Jews aroused and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.
3 Therefore they spent a considerable time there, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, giving signs and wonders to take place by their hands.
4 And the multitude of the city was divided: and some were with the Jews, and others with the apostles.
5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them,
6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and to the surrounding region.
7 And there, they were preaching the gospel.
8 And a certain man in Lystra, powerless in his feet, was sitting, lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked.
9 This [man] heard Paul speaking; who, gazing intently on him and seeing that he had that faith to be healed,
10 said with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he was jumping and walking about.
11 And the crowds, seeing what Paul did, raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have been made like men and have come down to us!"
12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, since he was the leader in speaking.
13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was before their city, bearing bulls and garlands to the gates, together with the crowds, was desiring to sacrifice [to them].
14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard this, they tore their garments and rushed in to the crowd, crying out
15 and saying, "Men! Why are you doing these things? We men are of the same nature as you, preaching the gospel to you, that you must turn from these useless things to turn to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all the things in them,
16 who in the generations having gone by permitted all the Gentiles to walk in their ways.
17 And yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, giving to you rains from heaven and fruitbearing seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
18 And saying these things, they scarcely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them.
19 But there arrived from Antioch and Iconium Jews, and having persuaded the crowds and having stoned Paul, they dragged [him] outside the city, supposing him to have died.
20 But when the disciples encircled him, he stood and entered into the city. And the next day he went out together with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 And having preached the gospel to that city and having made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch,
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, urging [them] to continue in the faith, [saying], "Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God."
23 And having chosen elders for them in every church, [and] having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24 And having crossed Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 And having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they were commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.
27 Now arriving and gathering the church together, they related all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith for the Gentiles.
28 And they spent a long time there with the disciples.
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.