« | Deuteronomy 16 | » |
1 Observe the month of new [grain], and you shall sacrifice the Passover to the Lord your God; because in the month of new grain you came out of Egypt by night.
2 And you shall sacrifice the Passover to the Lord your God, sheep and oxen in the place which the Lord your God shall choose to have His name called upon it.
3 You shall not eat leaven with it; seven days shall you eat unleavened [bread] with it, [the] bread of affliction, because you came forth out of Egypt in haste; that you may remember the day of your coming forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life.
4 Leaven shall not be seen with you in all your borders for seven days, and there shall not be left of the flesh which you shall sacrifice at even on the first day until the morning.
5 You shall not have power to sacrifice the Passover in any of the cities, which the Lord your God gives you.
6 But in the place which the Lord your God shall choose, to have His name called there, you shall sacrifice the Passover at even at the setting of the sun, at the time when you came out of Egypt.
7 And you shall boil and roast and eat it in the place, which the Lord your God shall choose; and you shall return in the morning, and go to your house.
8 Six days shall you eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day is a holiday, a feast to the Lord your God: you shall not do in it any work, except what must be done by anyone.
9 Seven weeks shall you number to yourself; when you have begun [to put] the sickle to the grain, you shall begin to number seven weeks.
10 And you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God, accordingly as your hand has power, in as many things as the Lord your God shall give you.
11 And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son, and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow which dwells among you, in whatsoever place the Lord your God shall choose, that His name should be called there.
12 And you shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and you shall observe and do these commands.
13 You shall keep for yourself the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you gather in [your produce] from your threshing floor and your winepress.
14 And you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your daughter, your male servant, and your female servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow that is in your cities.
15 Seven days shall you keep a feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God shall choose for Himself; and if the Lord your God shall bless you in all your fruits, and in every work of your hands, then you shall rejoice.
16 Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord shall choose in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of Weeks, and in the Feast of Tabernacles: you shall not appear before the Lord your God empty.
17 Each one according to his ability, according to the blessing of the Lord your God, which He has given you.
18 You shall make for yourself judges and officers in your cities, which the Lord your God gives you in [your] tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment;
19 they shall not pervert judgment, nor favor persons, nor receive a gift; for gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
20 You shall justly pursue justice, that you may live, and go in and inherit the land which the Lord your God gives you.
21 You shall not plant for yourself a grove; you shall not plant for yourself any tree near the altar of your God.
22 You shall not set up for yourself a pillar, which the Lord your God hates.
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.