« | Ecclesiastes 9 | » |
1 [I saw] that the righteous, the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God. Yea, there is no man that knows either love or hatred, [though] all are before their face.
2 Vanity is in all. There is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good, and to the bad; both to the pure, and to the impure; both to him that sacrifices, and to him that does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; as is the swearer, even so is he that fears an oath.
3 There is this evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event to all. Yea, the heart of the sons of men is filled with evil, and madness is in their heart during their life, and after that [they go] to the dead.
4 For who is he that has fellowship with all the living? There is hope [for him]; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living will know that they shall die; but the dead know nothing, and there is no longer any reward to them, for their memory is lost.
6 Also their love and their hatred and their envy have now perished. Yea, there is no portion for them anymore, forever in all that is done under the sun.
7 Go, eat your bread with mirth, and drink your wine with a joyful heart; for now God has favorably accepted your works.
8 Let your garments be always white; and let not oil be lacking on your head.
9 And see life with the wife whom you love, all the days of the life of your vanity, which are given to you under the sun; for that is your portion in your life, and in your labor in which you labor under the sun.
10 Whatsoever your hand shall find to do, do with all your might; for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in Hades, where you are going.
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor yet bread to the wise, nor yet wealth to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of knowledge; for time and chance will happen to them all.
12 For surely man also knows not his time; as fish that are taken in an evil net, and as birds that are caught in a snare, even thus the sons of men are snared at an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.
13 This I also saw [to be] wisdom under the sun, and it is great before me.
14 [Suppose there were] a little city, and few men in it; and there should come against it a great king, and surround it, and build great mounds against it;
15 and should find in it a poor wise man, and he should save the city through his wisdom: yet no man would remember that poor man.
16 And I said, Wisdom is better than power; yet the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not listened to.
17 The words of the wise are heard in quiet more than the cry of them that rule in folly.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; and one sinner will destroy much good.
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.