« | Hebrews 12 | » |
1 So therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every impediment, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured [the] cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you be weary and discouraged in your souls.
4 You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed, struggling against sin.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the discipline of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are reproved;
6 For whom the LORD loves He disciplines, and scourges every son whom He receives."
7 It is for discipline [that] you endure; God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we respected [them]. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they indeed for a few days were disciplining us, as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, in order to partake of His holiness.
11 Now no discipline seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, later it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those having been trained by it.
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which are weakened, and the feeble knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be turned aside, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace and holiness with all [people], without which no one shall see the Lord:
15 looking diligently lest anyone fall from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness growing up cause trouble, and through this many be defiled;
16 lest there be any fornicator or profane [person] like Esau, who in exchange for one meal gave up his birthright.
17 For you know that indeed afterward, wishing to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, having sought it out diligently with tears.
18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and to a whirlwind,
19 and to a sound of a trumpet and to a voice of words, which those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.
20 For they could not bear that [which] was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned."
21 And so fearful was the spectacle, [that] Moses said, "I am greatly afraid and trembling."
22 But you have come to Zion, to the Mountain and city of the living God, to a heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn having been enrolled in [the] heavens, to God the Judge of all, and to spirits of just men made perfect,
24 and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling which speaks better things than the [blood] of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape, having refused Him who warned [them], how much more [shall we not escape] if we turn away from Him who warns from heaven;
26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heaven."
27 Now the [phrase], "Yet once more," signifies the removal of the things being shaken, as having been made, so that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
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.