« | Hosea 13 | » |
1 According to the word of Ephraim he adopted ordinances for himself in Israel; and he established them for Baal, and died.
2 And now they have sinned increasingly, and have made for themselves a molten image of their silver, according to the fashion of idols, the work of artificers accomplished for them. they say, Sacrifice men, for the calves have come to an end.
3 Therefore shall they be as a morning cloud, and as the early dew that passes away, as chaff blown away from the threshing floor, and as a vapor from tears.
4 But I am the Lord your God that establishes the heavens, and creates the earth, whose hands have framed the whole host of heaven. But I showed them not to you, that you should go after them; and I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and you shall know no God but Me; and there is no Saviour beside Me.
5 I tended to you as a shepherd in the wilderness, in an uninhabited land.
6 According to their pastures, so they were completely filled; and their hearts were exalted; therefore they forgot Me.
7 And I will be to them as a panther, and as a leopard.
8 I will meet them by the way of the Assyrians, as a female bear excited, and I will tear open their rib cage, and the lions' cubs in the thicket shall devour them there; the wild beasts of the field shall tear them to pieces.
9 O Israel, who will aid [you] in your destruction?
10 Where is this your king? Let him even save you in all your cities. Let him judge you, of whom you said, Give me a king and a prince.
11 And I gave you a king in My anger, and kept [him] back in My wrath.
12 Ephraim [has framed] a conspiracy of unrighteousness; his sin is hidden.
13 Pains as of a woman in travail shall come upon him: he is your wise son, because he shall not stay in the destruction of [your] children.
14 I will deliver [them] out of the power of Hades, and will redeem them from death. O death, where is your punishment? O Hades, where is your sting? Comfort is hidden from My eyes.
15 Though he will cause a division among [his] brothers, the Lord shall bring upon him an east wind from the desert, and shall dry up his veins [and] quite drain his fountains. He shall dry up his land, and [spoil] all his precious vessels.
16 Samaria shall be utterly destroyed, for she has resisted her God; they shall fall by the sword, and their sucklings shall be dashed against the ground, and their women and children ripped up.
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.