« | Genesis 33 | » |
1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes and beheld, and lo, Esau his brother [was] coming, and four hundred men with him. And Jacob divided the children to Leah and to Rachel, and the two maidservants.
2 And he put the two maidservants and their children with the first, and Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.
3 But he advanced himself before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he drew near to his brother.
4 And Esau ran on to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they both wept.
5 And Esau looked up and saw the women and the children, and said, What are these to you? And he said, The children with which God has mercifully blessed your servant.
6 And the maidservants and their children drew near and bowed down.
7 And Leah and her children drew near and bowed down; and after Rachel and Joseph drew near, and bowed down.
8 And he said, What are these things to you, all these companies that I have met? And he said, That your servant might find grace in your sight, my lord.
9 And Esau said, I have much, my brother; keep your own.
10 And Jacob said, If I have found grace in your sight, receive the gifts through my hands; therefore have I seen your face, as if anyone should see the face of God, and you shall be well-pleased with me.
11 Receive my blessings, which I have brought you, because God has had mercy on me, and I have all things; and he urged him, and he took [them].
12 And he said, Let us depart, and proceed onward.
13 And he said to him, My lord knows, that the children are very tender, and the flocks and the herds with me are with young; if then I shall drive them hard one day, all the cattle will die.
14 Let my lord go on before his servant, and I shall have strength on the road according to the ease of the journey before me, and according to the strength of the children, until I come to my lord to Seir.
15 And Esau said, I will leave with you some of the people who are with me. And he said, Why so? It is enough that I have found favor before you, my lord.
16 And Esau returned on that day on his journey to Seir.
17 And Jacob departed to his tents; and he made for himself a house there, and for his cattle he made booths; therefore he called the name of that place, Succoth.
18 And Jacob came to Salem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he departed out of Mesopotamia of Syria, and took up a position in front of the city.
19 And he bought the portion of the field, where he pitched his tent, of Hamor the father of Shechem, for a hundred lambs.
20 And he set up an altar there, and called on the God of Israel.
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.