« | Acts 3 | » |
1 Now Peter and John were going up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, [which was] the ninth [hour].
2 And a man lame from his mother's womb was being carried, whom they would lay each day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;
3 who, when he saw Peter and John about to enter into the temple, began asking for alms.
4 And looking intently on him, Peter together with John, said "Look at us."
5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.
6 But Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but [that] which I do have, I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise and walk."
7 And taking hold of him by his right hand, he raised [him]; and immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened.
8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
10 Then they recognized that this was the one sitting for the alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with astonishment and amazement because of that which had happened to him.
11 And while the lame man who had been healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, utterly astonished.
12 So when Peter saw [this], he replied to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk?
13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.
14 But you denied the Holy and Just One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
16 And on the basis of faith in His name, this [one] whom you observe and know, was made strong by His name. And the faith, which is by Him, has given to him this wholeness before you all.
17 Yet now, brothers, I know that according to ignorance you did [this], as indeed also your rulers.
18 But those things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
19 Repent therefore and turn back, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that seasons of relaxation may come from the presence of the Lord,
20 and that He may send He who had been ordained to be your Messiah, Jesus,
21 whom it is necessary [for] heaven to receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
22 For Moses said to the fathers, 'The LORD our God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brothers. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.
23 'And it shall be that every person who does not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.'
24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and his successors, as many as have spoken, have proclaimed these days.
25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'
26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."
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.