« | Hosea 10 | » |
1 Israel is a vine with choice branches, her fruit is abundant: according to the multitude of her fruits she has multiplied [her] altars; according to the wealth of his land, he has set up pillars.
2 They have divided their hearts; now shall they be utterly destroyed: he shall dig down their altars, their pillars shall mourn.
3 Because now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord.
4 And what should a king do for us, speaking false professions [as his] words? He will make a covenant: judgment shall spring up as a weed on the soil of the field.
5 The inhabitants of Samaria shall dwell near the calf of the house of On; for the people of it mourned for it. And as they provoked Him, they shall rejoice at His glory, because He has departed from them.
6 And having bound it for the Assyrians, they carried it away as presents to King Jareb. Ephraim shall receive a gift, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
7 Samaria has cast off her king as a twig on the surface of the water.
8 And the altars of On, the sins of Israel shall be taken away. Thorns and thistles shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.
9 From the time the hills [existed] Israel has sinned. There they stood. War [waged] against the children of iniquity,
10 to chastise them. The nations shall be gathered against them, when they are chastened for their two sins,
11 Ephraim is a heifer taught to love victory, but I will come upon the fairest part of her neck: I will Mount Ephraim; I will pass over Judah in silence; Jacob shall prevail against him.
12 Sow to yourselves for righteousness, gather in for the fruit of life: light for yourselves the light of knowledge; seek the Lord till the fruits of righteousness come upon you.
13 For have you passed over ungodliness in silence, and reaped the sins of it? You have eaten false fruit; for you has trusted in your sins, in the abundance of your power.
14 Therefore shall destruction rise up among your people, and all your strong places shall be ruined. As a prince Solomon [departed] out of the house of Jeroboam, in the days of battle they dashed the mother to the ground upon the children,
15 thus will I do to you, O house of Israel, because of the unrighteousness of your sins.
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.