« | Genesis 16 | » |
1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bore him no children; and she had an Egyptian maid, whose name was Hagar.
2 And Sarai said to Abram, Behold, the Lord has restrained me from bearing, go therefore in to my maid, that I may get children for myself through her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
3 So Sarai, Abram's wife, having taken Hagar the Egyptian her handmaid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, gave her to Abram her husband as a wife to him.
4 And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived, and saw that she was with child, and her mistress was dishonored before her.
5 Then Sarai said to Abram, I am injured by you; I gave my handmaid into your bosom, and when I saw that she was with child, I was dishonored before her. The Lord judge between me and you.
6 And Abram said to Sarai, Behold your handmaid is in your hands, use her as it may seem good to you. And Sarai afflicted her, and she fled from her face.
7 And the Angel of the Lord found her by the fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
8 And the Angel of the Lord said to her, Hagar, Sarai's maid, from where do you come, and where are you going? And she said, I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9 And the Angel of the Lord said to her, Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.
10 And the Angel of the Lord said to her, I will surely multiply your seed, so that they shall not be numbered for multitude.
11 And the Angel of the Lord said to her, Behold you are with child, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael, for the Lord has hearkened to your humiliation.
12 He shall be a wild man, his hands against all, and the hands of all against him, and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
13 And she called the name of the Lord God who spoke to her, You are the God who sees; for she said, For I have openly seen Him that appeared to me.
14 Therefore she called the well, The well of Him whom I have openly seen; behold it is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 And Hagar bore a son to Abram; and Abram called the name of his son which Hagar bore to him, Ishmael.
16 And Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
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.