« | Exodus 19 | » |
1 And in the third month of the departure of the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came into the Wilderness of Sinai.
2 And they departed from Rephidim, and came into the Wilderness of Sinai, and there Israel encamped before the mountain.
3 And Moses went up to the mount of God, and God called him out of the mountain, saying, These things shall you say to the house of Jacob, and you shall report them to the children of Israel.
4 You have seen all that I have done to the Egyptians, and I took you up as upon eagles' wings, and I brought you near to Myself.
5 And now if you will indeed hear My voice, and keep My covenant, you shall be to Me a peculiar people above all nations; for the whole earth is Mine.
6 And you shall be to Me a royal priesthood and a holy nation. These words shall you speak to the children of Israel.
7 And Moses came and called the elders of the people, and he set before them all these words, which God appointed them.
8 And all the people answered with one accord, and said, All things that God has spoken, we will do and hearken to. And Moses reported these words to God.
9 And the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I come to you in a pillar of a cloud, that the people may hear Me speaking to you, and may believe you forever. And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.
10 And the Lord said to Moses, Go down and solemnly charge the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments.
11 And let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will descend upon Mount Sinai before all the people.
12 And you shall separate the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves that you go not up into the mountain, nor touch any part of it: whoever touches the mountain shall surely die.
13 A hand shall not touch it, for [everyone that touches] shall be stoned with stones or shot through with a dart, whether beast or man, it shall not live; when the voices and trumpets and cloud depart from off the mountain, they shall come up on the mountain.
14 And Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified them, and they washed their clothes.
15 And he said to the people, Be ready: for three days do not come near to a woman.
16 And it came to pass on the third day, as the morning drew nigh, there were voices and lightnings and a dark cloud on Mount Sinai. The voice of the trumpet sounded loud, and all the people in the camp trembled.
17 And Moses led the people forth out of the camp to meet God, and they stood by under the camp.
18 Now Mount Sinai was altogether in smoke, because God had descended upon it in fire; and the smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the people were exceedingly amazed.
19 And the sounds of the trumpet were growing much louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with a voice.
20 And the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai on the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21 And God spoke to Moses, saying, Go down, and solemnly charge the people, lest at any time they draw near to God to gaze, and many of them perish.
22 And let the priests that draw near to the Lord God sanctify themselves, lest He destroy some of them.
23 And Moses said to God, The people cannot approach Mount Sinai, for You have solemnly charged us, saying, Set boundaries around the mountain and sanctify it.
24 And the Lord said to him, Go down and then come up, you and Aaron with you; but let not the priests and the people force their way to come up to God, lest the Lord destroy some of them.
25 And Moses went down to the people, and spoke to them.
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.