« | Amos 7 | » |
1 Thus has the Lord God showed me; and behold, a swarm of locusts coming from the east; and behold, one caterpillar, King Gog.
2 And it came to pass when he had finished devouring the grass of the land, that I said, Lord God, be merciful; who shall raise up Jacob? For he is small in number.
3 Relent, O Lord, of this. And this shall not be, says the Lord.
4 Thus has the Lord showed me; and behold, the Lord called for judgment by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and devoured the Lord's portion.
5 Then I said, O Lord, cease, I pray: who shall raise up Jacob? For he is small in number. Relent, O Lord, of this.
6 This also shall not be, says the Lord.
7 Thus the Lord showed me; and behold, He stood upon a wall [made] with a plumb line, and in His hand was a plumb line.
8 And the Lord said to me, What do you see, Amos? And I said, A plumb line. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I appoint a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.
9 And the joyful altars shall be abolished, and the sacrifices of Israel shall be set aside; and I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos is forming conspiracies against you in the midst of the house of Israel: the land will be utterly unable to bear all his words.
11 For thus says Amos, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall be led away captive from his land.
12 And Amaziah said to Amos, Go, seer, remove yourself to the land of Judah, and live there, and you shall prophesy there:
13 but you shall no longer prophesy at Bethel- for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the royal house.
14 And Amos answered, and said to Amaziah, I was not a prophet, nor the son of a prophet; but I was a sheepbreeder, and a gatherer of sycamore fruits.
15 And the Lord took me from the sheep, and the Lord said to me, Go, and prophesy to My people Israel.
16 And now hear the word of the Lord: You say, Do not prophesy to Israel, and do not raise a tumult against the house of Jacob.
17 Therefore thus says the Lord; Your wife shall be a harlot in the city, and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be measured with the line; and you shall die in an unclean land; and Israel shall be led captive out of his land. Thus has the Lord God showed me.
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.