« | Ezekiel 13 | » |
1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, and you shall prophesy, and shall say to them, Hear the word of the Lord:
3 Thus says the Lord: Woe to them that prophesy out of their own heart, and who see nothing at all.
4 Your prophets, O Israel, are like foxes in the deserts.
5 They have not continued steadfast, and they have gathered flocks against the house of Israel, they that say,
6 In the day of the Lord, have not stood, seeing false [visions,] prophesying vanities, who say, The Lord says, and the Lord has not sent them, and they began [to try] to confirm the word.
7 Have you not seen a false vision, and spoken vain prophecies?
8 And therefore say, Thus says the Lord: Because your words are false, and your prophecies are vain, therefore behold, I am against you, says the Lord.
9 And I will stretch forth My hand against the prophets that see false [visions], and those that utter vanities. They shall not partake of the instruction of My people, neither shall they be written in the roll of the house of Israel, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel; and they shall know that I am the Lord.
10 Because they have caused My people to err, saying, Peace; and there is no peace; and one builds a wall, and they plaster it- it shall fall.
11 Say to them that plaster [it], It shall fall; and there shall be a flooding rain; and I will send great stones upon their joinings, and they shall fall; and there shall be a sweeping wind, and it shall be broken.
12 And lo! The wall has fallen; and will they not say to you, Where is your plaster with which you plastered [it?]
13 Therefore thus says the Lord: I will even cause to burst forth a sweeping blast with fury, and there shall be a flooding rain in My wrath; and in [My] fury I will bring on great hailstones for complete destruction.
14 And I will break down the wall which you have plastered, and it shall fall; and I will lay it on the ground, and its foundations shall be discovered, and it shall fall; and you shall be consumed with rebukes; and you shall know that I am the Lord.
15 And I will accomplish My wrath upon the wall, and upon them that plaster it; it shall fall: and I said to you, The wall is not, nor they that plaster it,
16 even the prophets of Israel, who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see [visions of] peace for her, and there is no peace, says the Lord.
17 And you, son of man, set your face firmly against the daughters of your people, that prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them.
18 And you shall say, Thus says the Lord: Woe to the [women] that sew pillows under every elbow, and make handkerchiefs on the head of every stature to pervert souls! The souls of My people are perverted, and they have saved souls alive.
19 And they have dishonored Me before My people for a handful of barley, and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls which should not die, and to save alive the souls which should not live, while you speak to a people hearing vain speeches.
20 Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against your pillows, whereby you there confound souls, and I will tear them away from your arms, and will set at liberty their souls which you pervert, to scatter them.
21 And I will tear your handkerchiefs, and will rescue My people out of your hands, and they shall no longer be in your hands to be confounded; and you shall know that I am the Lord.
22 Because you have perverted the heart of the righteous, whereas I perverted him not, and [that] in order to strengthen the hands of the wicked, that he should not at all turn from his evil way and live:
23 therefore you shall not see false [visions], and you shall no more utter prophecies; but I will deliver My people out of your hand; and you shall know that I am the Lord.
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.