« | Exodus 5 | » |
1 And after this Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they said to him, Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Let My people go, that they may keep a feast to Me in the wilderness.
2 And Pharaoh said, Who is He that I should listen to His voice, so that I should send away the children of Israel? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.
3 And they said to him, The God of the Hebrews has called us to Him: we will go, therefore, on a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest at any time death or slaughter happen to us.
4 And the king of Egypt said to them, Why do you, Moses and Aaron, turn the people from their works? Depart, each of you, to your works.
5 And Pharaoh said, Behold now, the people are very numerous; let us not then give them rest from their work.
6 And Pharaoh gave orders to the taskmasters of the people and the accountants, saying,
7 You shall no longer give straw to the people for brickmaking as yesterday and the third day; but let them go themselves, and collect straw for themselves.
8 And you shall impose on them daily the rate of brickmaking which they perform: you shall not reduce anything, for they are idle. Therefore have they cried, saying, Let us arise and do sacrifice to our God.
9 Let the works of these men be made grievous, and let them care for these things, and not care for vain words.
10 And the taskmasters and the accountants hastened them, and they spoke to the people, saying, thus says Pharaoh: I will give you straw no longer.
11 Go yourselves, get for yourselves straw wherever you can find it, for nothing is diminished from your rate.
12 So the people were dispersed in all the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw.
13 And the taskmasters hastened them, saying, Fulfill your regular daily tasks, even as when straw was given to you.
14 And the accountants of the race of the children of Israel, who were set over them by the masters of Pharaoh, were scourged, [and were asked], Why have you not fulfilled your rates of brickwork as yesterday and the third day, [and] today also?
15 And the accountants of the children of Israel went in and cried to Pharaoh, saying, Why do you act thus to your servants?
16 Straw is not given to your servants, and they tell us to make bricks; and behold, your servants have been scourged; therefore you will injure your people.
17 And he said to them, You are idle, you are idlers. Therefore you say, Let us go and do sacrifice to our God.
18 Now then go and work, for straw shall not be given to you, yet you shall return the rate of bricks.
19 And the accountants of the children of Israel saw themselves in an evil plight, [for] men [were] saying, You shall not fail to deliver the daily rate of the brick-making.
20 And they met Moses and Aaron coming forth to meet them, as they came forth from Pharaoh.
21 And they said to them, The Lord look upon you and judge you, for you have made our scent abominable before Pharaoh, and before his servants, to put a sword into his hands to kill us.
22 And Moses turned to the Lord and said, I pray, O Lord, why have You afflicted this people? And why have You sent me?
23 For from the time that I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has afflicted this people, and You have not delivered Your people.
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.