« | Hosea 9 | » |
1 Rejoice not, O Israel, neither make merry, as [other] nations. For you have gone a-whoring from your God; you have loved gifts upon every threshing floor.
2 The threshing floor and winepress knew them not, and the wine disappointed them.
3 They dwelt not in the Lord's land: Ephraim dwelt in Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things among the Assyrians.
4 They have not offered wine to the Lord, neither have their sacrifices been sweet to Him, [but] as the bread of mourning to them; all that eat them shall be defiled; for their bread for their soul shall not enter into the house of the Lord.
5 What will you do in the day of the general assembly, and in the day of the feast of the Lord?
6 Therefore, behold, they go forth from the trouble of Egypt, and Memphis shall receive them, and Machmas shall bury them. [As for] their silver, destruction shall inherit it; thorns [shall be] in their tents.
7 The days of vengeance have come, the days of your recompense have come; and Israel shall be afflicted as the prophet that is mad, as a man deranged. By reason of the multitude of your iniquities your madness has abounded.
8 The watchman of Ephraim [was] with God. The prophet is a crooked snare in all his ways: they have established madness in the house of God.
9 They have corrupted themselves according to the days of the hill. He will remember their iniquities, He will take vengeance on their sins.
10 I found Israel as grapes in the wilderness, and I saw their fathers as an early watchman in a fig tree. They went in to Baal Peor, and were shamefully estranged, and the abominable became as the beloved.
11 Ephraim has flown away as a bird; their glories from the birth, and the travail, and the conception.
12 For even if they should rear their children, yet shall they be utterly bereaved. Wherefore also there is woe to them, [though] My flesh is of them.
13 Ephraim, [even] as I saw, gave their children for a prey; yes, Ephraim [was ready] to bring out his children to slaughter.
14 Give them, O Lord: what will you give them? A miscarrying womb, and dry breasts.
15 All their wickedness is in Gilgal. For there I hated them; because of the wickedness of their practices, I will cast them out of My house, I will not love them anymore; all their princes are disobedient.
16 Ephraim is sick, he is dried up at his roots, he shall by no means bear fruit any longer. For even if they should beget [children], I will kill the desired [fruit] of their womb.
17 God shall reject them, because they have not hearkened to Him, and they shall be wanderers among the nations.
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.