« | Genesis 20 | » |
1 And Abraham journeyed from there to the southern country, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
2 And Abraham said concerning Sarah his wife, She is my sister, for he feared to say, She is my wife, lest at any time the men of the city should kill him for her sake. So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
3 And God came to Abimelech by night in his sleep, and said, Behold, you'll die for the woman whom you have taken, for she has lived with a husband.
4 But Abimelech had not touched her, and he said, Lord, will You destroy an ignorantly [sinning] and just nation?
5 Did he not say to me, She is my sister, and she, even she herself said, He is my brother? With a pure heart and in the righteousness of my hands have I done this.
6 And God said to him in his sleep, Yes, I knew that you did this with a pure heart, and I spared you, so that you should not sin against Me, therefore I did not let you touch her.
7 But now return the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and [he] shall pray for you, and you shall live; but if you restore her not, know that you and all yours shall die.
8 And Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and he spoke all these words in their ears, and all the men feared exceedingly.
9 And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, What is this that you have done to us? Have we sinned against you, that you have brought upon me and upon my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me a deed, which no one ought to do.
10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, What have you seen in me that you have done this?
11 And Abraham said, Why I said, Surely there is not the worship of God in this place, and they will slay me because of my wife.
12 For truly she is my sister by my father, but not by my mother, and she became my wife.
13 And it came to pass when God brought me forth out of the house of my father, that I said to her, This righteousness you shall perform to me, in every place into which we may enter, say of me, He is my brother.
14 And Abimelech took a thousand pieces of silver, and sheep, and calves, and servants, and maid servants, and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him.
15 And Abimelech said to Abraham, Behold, my land is before you, dwell wherever it may please you.
16 And to Sarah he said, Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver, those shall be to you for the price of your countenance, and to all the women with you, and speak the truth in all things.
17 And Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his women servants, and they bore children.
18 Because the Lord had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
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.