« | Ezekiel 19 | » |
1 Moreover do you take up a lamentation for the prince of Israel,
2 and say, Why has your mother become a whelp in the midst of lions? In the midst of lions she has multiplied her whelps.
3 And one of her whelps sprang forth; he became a lion, and learned to take prey, he devoured men.
4 And the nations heard a report of him; he was caught in their pit, and they brought him into the land of Egypt in chains.
5 And she saw that he was driven away from her, [and] her hope for him perished, and she took another of her whelps; she made him a lion.
6 And he went up and down in the midst of lions, he became a lion, and learned to take prey, he devoured men.
7 And he prowled in his boldness and laid waste their cities, and made the land desolate, and the fullness of it, by the voice of his roaring.
8 Then the nations set upon him from the countries round about, and they spread their nets upon him; he was taken in their pit.
9 And they put him in chains and in a cage, [and] he came to the king of Babylon; and he cast him into prison, that his voice should not be heard on the mountains of Israel.
10 Your mother was as a vine and as a blossom on a pomegranate tree, planted by water; her fruit and her shoot abounded by reason of much water.
11 And she became a rod for a tribe of princes, and was elevated in her bulk in the midst of [other] trees, and she saw her bulk in the multitude of her branches.
12 But she was broken down in wrath, she was cast upon the ground, and the east wind dried up her choice [branches;] vengeance came upon them, and the rod of her strength was withered; fire consumed it.
13 And now they have planted her in the wilderness, in a dry land.
14 And fire has gone out of a rod of her choice [boughs,] and has devoured her; and there was no rod of strength in her. Her race has become a parable of lamentation, and it shall be for a lamentation.
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.