« | Exodus 20 | » |
1 And the Lord spoke all these words, saying:
2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 You shall have no other gods beside Me.
4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, nor likeness of anything, whatever things are in the heaven above, and whatever are in the earth beneath, and whatever are in the waters under the earth.
5 You shall not bow down to them, nor serve them; for I am the Lord your God, a jealous God, recompensing the sins of the fathers upon the children, to the third and fourth generation to them that hate Me,
6 and bestowing mercy on them that love Me, to [the] thousands [of them,] and on them that keep My commandments.
7 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord your God will not acquit him that takes His name in vain.
8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work.
10 But on the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God; on it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your servant nor your maidservant, your ox, nor your donkey, nor any cattle of yours, nor the stranger that sojourns with you.
11 For in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth, and the sea and all things in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.
12 Honor your father and your mother, that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the good land, which the Lord your God gives to you.
13 You shall not kill.
14 You shall not commit adultery.
15 You shall not steal.
16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17 You shall not covet your neighbor's wife; you shall not covet your neighbor's house; nor his field, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor any of his cattle, nor whatever belongs to your neighbor.
18 And all the people perceived the thundering, and the flashes, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and all the people feared and stood afar off,
19 and said to Moses, You speak to us, but let not God speak to us, lest we die.
20 And Moses said to them, Be of good courage, for God has come to you to test you, that His fear may be among you, that you sin not.
21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses went into the darkness where God was.
22 And the Lord said to Moses, Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob, and you shall report it to the children of Israel, You have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven.
23 You shall not make for yourselves gods of silver, and gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves.
24 You shall make to Me an altar of earth; and upon it you shall sacrifice your whole burnt offerings, and your peace offerings, and your sheep and your calves in every place, where I shall record My name; and I will come to you and bless you.
25 And if you will make to Me an altar of stones, you shall not build it of hewn [stones]; for if you have lifted up your tool upon them, then they are defiled.
26 You shall not go up to My altar by steps, that you may not uncover your nakedness upon it.
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.