« | Daniel 10 | » |
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of the Persians a thing was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, and great power and understanding in the vision was given to him.
2 In those days I, Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, and no flesh or wine entered into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself with oil, until three whole weeks were accomplished.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was near the great river, that is, the Tigris.
5 And I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, and his loins were girt with gold of Ophaz.
6 And his body was like beryl, and his face was as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his legs as the appearance of shining brass, and the voice of his words as the voice of a multitude.
7 And I, Daniel alone saw the vision: and the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great amazement fell upon them, and they fled in fear.
8 So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there was no strength left in me, and my glory was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet I heard the voice of his words; and when I heard him I was cut [to the heart], and [I fell with] my face to the earth.
10 And behold, a hand touched me, and it raised me on my knees.
11 And he said to me, O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words which I speak to you, and stand upright, for I am now sent to you. And when he had spoken to me this word, I stood trembling.
12 And he said to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to afflict yourself before the Lord your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of the Persians withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the princes, came to help me; and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of the Persians.
14 And I have come to inform you of all that shall befall your people in the last days, for the vision [refers] to [many] days yet [to come].
15 And when he had spoken with me according to these words, I turned my face to the ground, and was cut [to the heart].
16 And behold, as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips; and I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, O [my] lord, at the sight of you my insides were turned within me, and I had no strength.
17 And how shall your servant be able, O [my] lord, to speak with this my lord? And as for me, from now on strength will not remain in me, and there is no breath left in me.
18 And there touched me again as it were the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19 and said to me, Fear not, man greatly beloved: peace be to you, gird yourself like a man, and be strong. And when he had spoken with me, I received strength, and said, Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me.
20 And he said, Do you know why I have come to you? And now I will return to fight with the prince of the Persians: and I was going in, and the prince of the Greeks came.
21 But I will tell you that which is ordained in the scripture of truth; and there is no one that holds with me in these matters but Michael your prince.
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.