Exodus 1 | » |
1 These are the names of the sons of Israel that came into Egypt, together with Jacob their father. They came in each with their whole family.
2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah,
3 Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin,
4 Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
5 But Joseph was in Egypt. And all the souls born of Jacob were seventy-five.
6 And Joseph died, and all his brothers, and all that generation.
7 And the children of Israel increased and multiplied, and became numerous and grew exceedingly strong, and the land multiplied them.
8 And there arose up another king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.
9 And he said to his nation, Behold, the race of the children of Israel is a great multitude, and is stronger than we!
10 Come then, let us deal craftily with them, lest at any time they be increased, and whenever war shall happen to us, these also shall be added to our enemies, and having prevailed against us in war, they will depart out of the land.
11 And he set over them taskmasters, who should afflict them in their works; and they built strong cities for Pharaoh, both Pithom, and Raamses, and On, which is Heliopolis.
12 But as they humbled them, by so much they multiplied, and grew exceedingly strong. And the Egyptians greatly abhorred the children of Israel.
13 And the Egyptians tyrannized over the children of Israel by force.
14 And they embittered their life by hard labors, in the clay and in brick-making, and all the works in the plains, according to all the works, wherein they caused them to serve with violence.
15 And the king of the Egyptians spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews. The name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the second [was] Puah.
16 And he said, When you do the duties of midwife to the Hebrew women, and they are about to be delivered, if it be a male, kill it; but if a female, save it.
17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt appointed them; and they saved the male children alive.
18 And the king of Egypt called the midwives, and said to them, Why is it that you have done this thing, and saved the male children alive?
19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, The Hebrew women are not as the women of Egypt, for they are delivered before the midwives go in to them. So they bore children.
20 And God did well to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very strong.
21 And as the midwives feared God, they established for themselves families.
22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Whatever male [child] shall be born to the Hebrews, cast into the river; and every female, save it alive.
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.
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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.