« | Ecclesiastes 10 | » |
1 Pestilent flies will corrupt a preparation of sweet ointment; [and] a little wisdom is more precious than great glory of folly.
2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.
3 Yea, and whenever a fool walks down the road, his heart will fail him, and all that he thinks of is folly.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, leave not your place; for soothing will put an end to great offenses.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error that has proceeded from the ruler.
6 The fool has been set in very high places, while rich men would sit in a low one.
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.
8 He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and him that breaks down a hedge a serpent shall bite.
9 He that quarries stones may be hurt by them; and he that splits wood may be endangered by them.
10 If the ax-head should fall off, then the man troubles his countenance, and he must put forth more strength; and [in that case] skill is of no advantage to a man.
11 If a serpent bite when there is no [charmer's] whisper, then there is no advantage to the charmer.
12 The words of a wise mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow him up.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, and the end of his talk mischievous madness.
14 A fool moreover multiplies words. No man knows what has been, nor what will be. Who shall tell him what will come after him?
15 The labor of fools will afflict them, [as that of one] who knows not to go to the city.
16 Woe to you, O city, whose king is young, and your princes eat in the morning!
17 Blessed are you, O land, whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes shall eat seasonably, for strength, and shall not be ashamed.
18 By slothful neglect a building will be brought low, and by idleness of the hands the house will fall to pieces.
19 Men prepare bread for laughter, and wine and oil that the living should rejoice; but to money all things will humbly yield obedience.
20 Even in your conscience, curse not the king; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry your voice, and that which has wings shall report your speech.
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.