« | Exodus 31 | » |
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
3 And I have filled him [with] a divine spirit of wisdom, and understanding, and knowledge, to invent in every work,
4 and to frame works, to labor in gold, silver, brass, blue, purple, and spun scarlet,
5 and works in stone, and for artificers' work in wood, to work at all works.
6 And I have appointed with him Aholiab the [son] of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, and to everyone understanding in heart I have given understanding; and they shall make all things, as many as I have commanded you,
7 the tabernacle of witness, and the ark of the Covenant, and the mercy seat that is upon it, and the furniture of the tabernacle,
8 and the altars, and the table and all its furniture,
9 and the pure lampstand and all its utensils, and the laver and its base,
10 and Aaron's robes of ministry, and the robes of his sons to minister to Me as priests,
11 and the anointing oil and the compound incense of the sanctuary; according to all that I have commanded you shall they make them.
12 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
13 Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, Take heed and keep My Sabbaths; [for] they are a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord that sanctifies you.
14 And you shall keep the Sabbath, because this is holy to the Lord for you; he that profanes it shall surely be put to death: everyone who shall do a work on it, that soul shall be destroyed from the midst of his people.
15 Six days you shall work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath, a holy rest unto the Lord; everyone who shall do a work on the seventh day shall be put to death.
16 And the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe them throughout their generations.
17 It is a perpetual covenant between Me and the children of Israel, it is a perpetual sign with Me; for in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth, and on the seventh day He ceased, and rested.
18 And He gave to Moses when He left off speaking to him in Mount Sinai the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone written with the finger of God.
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.