« | Amos 4 | » |
1 Hear this word, you heifers of the land of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, that oppress the poor and trample on the needy, which say to their masters, Give us, that we may drink.
2 The Lord swears by His holiness, that behold, the days come upon you, when they shall take you with weapons, and fiery destroyers shall cast those with you into boiling caldrons.
3 And you shall be brought forth naked in the presence of each other, and you shall be cast forth onto Mount Harmon, says the Lord.
4 You went into Bethel and sinned, and you multiplied sin at Gilgal; and you brought your grain offerings in the morning, and your tithes every third day.
5 And they read the law outdoors, and called for public professions: proclaim aloud that the children of Israel have loved these things, says the Lord.
6 And your teeth shall be idle in all your cities, and lack of bread in all your places; yet you did not return to Me, says the Lord.
7 Also I withheld from you the rain three months before the harvest, and I will rain upon one city, and on another city I will not rain; one part shall be rained upon, and the part on which I shall not rain shall be dried up.
8 And [the inhabitants of] two or three cities shall be gathered to one city to drink water, and they shall not be satisfied; yet you have not returned to Me, says the Lord.
9 I blasted you with parching, and with blight; you multiplied your gardens, your vineyards, and your fig trees, and the cankerworm devoured your olive trees; yet still you did not return to Me, says the Lord.
10 I sent pestilence among you by the way of Egypt, and slew your young men with the sword, together with your horses that were taken captive; and in My wrath against you I set fire to your camps; yet not even thus did you return to Me, says the Lord.
11 I overthrew you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you became as a brand plucked out of the fire; yet not even then did you return to Me, says the Lord.
12 Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel: because I will do thus to you, prepare to call on your God, O Israel.
13 For behold, I am He that strengthens the thunder, and creates the wind, and proclaims His Messiah unto men, forming the morning and the darkness, and mounting on the high places of the earth; The Lord God Almighty is His name.
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.