« | Deuteronomy 23 | » |
1 He that is fractured or mutilated in his private parts shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord.
2 [One born] of a harlot shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord.
3 The Ammonite and Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord, even until the tenth generation he shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord, even forever;
4 because they met you not with bread and water by the way, when you went out of Egypt; and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor of Mesopotamia to curse you.
5 But the Lord your God would not hearken to Balaam; and the Lord your God changed the curses into blessings, because the Lord your God loved you.
6 You shall not speak peaceably or profitably to them all your days forever.
7 You shall not abhor an Edomite, because he is your brother; you shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you were a stranger in his land.
8 If sons be born to them, in the third generation they shall enter into the assembly of the Lord.
9 And if you should go forth to engage with your enemies, then you shall keep yourself from every wicked thing.
10 If there should be in you a man who is not clean by reason of his issue by night, then he shall go forth out of the camp, and he shall not enter into the camp.
11 And it shall come to pass toward evening he shall wash his body with water, and when the sun has gone down, he shall go into the camp.
12 And you shall have a place outside of the camp, and you shall go out there,
13 and you shall have a trowel on your girdle; and it shall come to pass when you would relieve yourself abroad, that you shall dig with it, and shall bring back the earth and cover your nuisance.
14 Because the Lord your God walks in your camp to deliver you, and to give up your enemy from before your face; and your camp shall be holy, and there shall not appear in you a disgraceful thing, so that He should turn away from you.
15 You shall not deliver a servant to his master, who [coming] from his master attaches himself to you.
16 He shall dwell with you, he shall dwell among you where he shall please; you shall not afflict him.
17 There shall not be a harlot of the daughters of Israel, and there shall not be a fornicator of the sons of Israel; there shall not be an idolatress of the daughters of Israel, and there shall not be an initiated person of the sons of Israel.
18 You shall not bring the hire of a harlot, nor the price of a dog into the house of the Lord your God, for any vow, because even both are an abomination to the Lord your God.
19 You shall not lend to your brother on usury of silver, or usury of meat, or usury of anything which you may lend out.
20 You may lend on usury to a stranger, but to your brother you shall not lend on usury; that the Lord your God may bless you in all your works upon the land, into which you are entering to inherit it.
21 And if you will vow a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and [otherwise] it shall be sin to you.
22 But if you should be unwilling to vow, it is not sin to you.
23 You shall observe the words that proceed from between your lips; and as you have vowed a gift to the Lord God, [so] shall you do that which you have spoken with your mouth.
24 And if you should go into the vineyard of your neighbor, you shall eat grapes sufficient to satisfy your desire; but you may not put them into a vessel.
25 And if you should go into the grainfield of your neighbor, then you may gather the heads with your hands; but you shall not put the sickle to your neighbor's grain.
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.