« | Amos 6 | » |
1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and that trust in the mountain of Samaria; they have gathered [the harvest of] the heads of the nations, and they have gone in themselves.
2 O house of Israel, pass by all of you, and see; and pass by from there to Hamath; and from there descend to Gath of the Philistines, the chief of all these kingdoms, see if their coasts are greater than your coasts.
3 You who are approaching the evil day, who are drawing near and adopting false sabbaths;
4 who sleep upon beds of ivory, and live delicately on their couches, and eat kids out of the flocks, and calves out of the midst of the stalls;
5 who excel in the sound of musical instruments; they have regarded them as abiding, not as fleeting [pleasures];
6 who drink strained wine, and anoint themselves with the best ointment, and have suffered nothing on occasion of the calamity of Joseph.
7 Therefore now shall they depart into captivity from the dominion of princes, and the neighing of horses shall be cut off from Ephraim.
8 For the Lord has sworn by Himself, saying, Because I abhor all the pride of Jacob, I do also hate his countries, and I will cut off his city with all who inhabit it.
9 And it shall come to pass, if there be ten men left in one house, that they shall die.
10 But a remnant shall be left behind, and their relations shall take them, and shall strenuously endeavor to carry forth their bones from the house; and one shall say to the heads of the house, Is there yet [anyone] else with you? [ 6:11] And he shall say, No one else. And [the other] shall say, Be silent, that you name not the name of the Lord.
11 [ 6:12] For, behold, the Lord commands, and He will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.
12 [ 6:13] Will horses run upon rocks? Will they refrain from neighing at mares? For you have turned judgment into poison, and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness.
13 [ 6:14] You who rejoice at vanity, who say, Have we not possessed horns by our own strength?
14 [ 6:15] For behold, O house of Israel, I will raise up against you a nation, says the Lord of hosts, and they shall afflict you so that you shall not enter into Hamath, and as it were to the valley of the Arabah.
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.