Ecclesiastes 1 | » |
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king of Israel in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3 What advantage [is there] to a man in all his labor that he takes under the sun?
4 A generation goes, and a generation comes; but the earth abides forever.
5 And the sun arises, and the sun goes down and draws toward its place;
6 arising there it proceeds southward, and goes round toward the north. The wind goes round and round, and the wind returns to its circuits.
7 All the rivers run into the sea; and yet the sea is not filled. To the place from which the rivers come, there they return again.
8 All things are full of labor; a man will not be able to speak [of them.] Neither shall the eye be satisfied with seeing, neither shall the ear be filled with hearing.
9 What is that which has been? The very thing which shall be. And what is that which has been done? The very thing which shall be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.
10 [Who is he] that shall speak and say, Behold, this is new? It has already been in the ages that have passed before us.
11 There is no memorial to the first things; neither to the things that have been last shall their memorial be with them that shall at the last [time].
12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I applied my heart to seek out and examine by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven, for God has given to the sons of men a burdensome task to be afflicted with.
14 I beheld all the works that were done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and what is lacking cannot be numbered.
16 I spoke in my heart, saying, Behold, I have attained, and acquired wisdom beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also I applied my heart to know wisdom and knowledge.
17 And my heart knew much- wisdom, knowledge, parables and understanding: I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
18 For in the abundance of wisdom is abundance of knowledge; and he that increases knowledge will increase sorrow.
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.