« | Habakkuk 2 | » |
1 I will stand upon my watch, and mount upon the rock, and watch to see what He will say by me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
2 And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision, and that plainly on a tablet, that he that reads it may run.
3 For the vision is yet for a time, and it shall shoot forth at the end, and not in vain: though he should tarry, wait for him; for he will surely come, and will not tarry.
4 If he should draw back, My soul has no pleasure in him: but the just shall live by My faith.
5 But the arrogant man and the scorner, the boastful man, shall not finish anything; who has enlarged his desire as the grave, and like death he is never satisfied, and he will gather to himself all the nations, and will receive to himself all the peoples.
6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him? And a proverb to tell against him? And they shall say, Woe to him that multiplies to himself the possessions which are not his! How long? And who heavily loads his yoke.
7 For suddenly there shall arise up those that bite him, and those that plot against you shall awake, and you shall be a plunder to them.
8 Because you have plundered many nations, all the nations that are left shall plunder you, because of the blood of men, and the sins of the land and city, and of all that dwell in it.
9 Woe to him that covets an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evils.
10 You have devised shame to your house, you have utterly destroyed many nations, and your soul has sinned.
11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beetle out of the timber shall speak.
12 Woe to him that builds a city with blood, and establishes a city by unrighteousness.
13 Are not these things of the Lord Almighty? Surely many people have been exhausted in the fire, and many nations have fainted.
14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord; it shall cover them as water.
15 Woe to him that gives his neighbor to drink the thick lees of wine, and intoxicates him, that he may look upon their secret parts.
16 Drink also your fill of disgrace instead of glory: shake, O heart, and quake, the cup of the right hand of the Lord has come round upon you, and dishonor has gathered upon your glory.
17 For the ungodliness of Lebanon shall cover you, and distress because of wild beasts shall dismay you, because of the blood of men, and the sins of the land and city, and of all that dwell in it.
18 What profit is the graven image, that they have graven it? One has made it a molten work, a false image; for the maker has trusted in his work, to make dumb idols.
19 Woe to him that says to the wood, Awake, arise; and to the stone, Arise! For it is an image, and this is a casting of gold and silver, and there is no breath in it.
20 But the Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth fear before Him.
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.