« | Ephesians 2 | » |
1 And you [He made alive], being dead in transgressions and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the age of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit which is now working in the sons of disobedience,
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the senses, and were by nature children of wrath, as also the rest.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and seated us together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the coming ages He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made by hands in the flesh--
12 that at that time you were apart from Christ, being estranged from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, not having hope and atheists in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have come to be near by the blood of Christ.
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and who destroyed the dividing wall of separation,
15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man [from] the two, [thus] making peace,
16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, putting to death the enmity in Himself.
17 And having come, He preached peace to you who were far away and to those near.
18 Because through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
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.