« | Galatians 2 | » |
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, also taking Titus along.
2 And I went up by revelation, and I set before them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those with influence, lest somehow I might run, or had run, for nothing.
3 But not even Titus who was with me, although he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised;
4 and that was because of false brothers secretly brought in (who slipped in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might reduce us to slavery),
5 to whom not even for an hour did we yield in subjection, that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.
6 But from those who seemed to be something--whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows partiality to no man--so to me, those with influence contributed nothing,
7 but on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted [with] the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter [with the gospel] for the circumcised,
8 (for He who worked with Peter in [the] apostleship to the circumcised, worked also with me in [that for] the Gentiles),
9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace which was given to me, they gave me and Barnabas [their] right [hands] of fellowship, that we [should go] to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised;
10 only they desired that we should remember the poor, which indeed I made every effort to do this very thing.
11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before certain [men] came from James, he would eat together with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to draw back and began to separate himself, fearing those of the circumcision party.
13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
14 But when I saw that they did not act rightly with respect to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in Gentile fashion and not in Jewish fashion, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as Jews?
15 We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by [the] faith of Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by [the] faith of Christ and not by [the] works of the law; because no flesh shall be justified by [the] works of the law.
17 But if by seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, then is Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not!
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
21 I do not annul the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing."
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.