« | Ecclesiastes 5 | » |
1 Keep your foot, whenever you go to the house of God; and [when you are] near to hear, let your sacrifice [be] better than the gift of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.
2 Be not hasty with your mouth, and let not your heart be swift to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven above, and you [are] on earth; therefore let your words be few.
3 For through the multitude of trial a dream comes; and a fool's voice is with a multitude of words.
4 Whenever you shall vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it; for [He has] no pleasure in fools. Pay, therefore, whatsoever you have vowed.
5 [It is] better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
6 Do not allow your mouth to lead your flesh to sin; and say not in the presence of God, It was an error; lest God be angry at your voice, and destroy the works of your hands.
7 For in a multitude of dreams and in many words there is vanity; rather fear God.
8 If you should see the oppression of the poor, and the wresting of judgment and of justice in the land, wonder not at the matter; for [there is] a high one to watch over him that is high, and high ones over them.
9 Also the abundance of the earth is for everyone. The king [is dependent on] the tilled field.
10 He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who has loved gain, in the abundance thereof. This also is vanity.
11 In the multitude of good they are increased that eat it, and what virtue has the owner, but the right of beholding [it] with his eyes?
12 The sleep of a servant is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.
13 There is an infirmity which I have seen under the sun, [namely], wealth kept for its owner to his [own] hurt.
14 And that wealth shall perish in an evil trouble, and [the man] begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
15 As he came forth naked from his mother's womb, he shall return back as he came, and he shall receive nothing for his labor, that it should go [with him] in his hand.
16 And this is also an evil infirmity; for as he came, so also shall he return. And what is his gain, for which he labors in vain?
17 Yea, all his days are in darkness, and in mourning, and much sorrow, and infirmity, and wrath.
18 Behold, I have seen good, that it is a fine thing [for a man] to eat and to drink, and to see good in all his labor in which he may labor under the sun; [all] the number of the days of his life which God has given to him; for it is his portion.
19 Yea, and [as for] every man to whom God has given wealth and possessions, and has given to him power to eat thereof, and to receive his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.
20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; for God troubles him in the joy of his heart.
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.