Isaiah 1 | » |
1 The vision which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw, which he saw concerning Judah, and Jerusalem, in the reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, who reigned over Judah.
2 Hear, O heaven, and hearken, O earth! For the Lord has spoken, [saying], I have begotten and reared up children, but they have rebelled against Me.
3 The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's crib; but Israel does not know Me, and the people have not regarded Me.
4 Alas, sinful nation, a people full of sins, an evil seed, lawless children; you have forsaken the Lord, and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
5 Why should you be smitten anymore, transgressing more and more? The whole head is pained, and the whole heart sad.
6 From the feet to the head, there is no soundness in them; neither wound, nor bruise, nor festering ulcer [are healed]; it is not possible to apply a plaister, nor oil, nor bandages.
7 Your land is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; strangers devour your land in your presence, and it is made desolate, overthrown by strange nations.
8 The daughter of Zion shall be deserted as a tent in a vineyard, and as a storehouse of fruits in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
9 And if the Lord of Sabaoth had not left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and been made like Gomorrah.
10 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; attend to the law of God, you people of Gomorrah.
11 Of what [value] to Me is the abundance of your sacrifices? Says the Lord; I am full of whole burnt offerings of rams; and I delight not in the fat of lambs, and the blood of bulls and goats;
12 neither shall you come [with these] to appear before Me; for who has required these things at your hands? You shall no more tread My court.
13 Though you bring fine flour, [it is] futile; incense is an abomination to Me; I cannot bear your new moons, and your Sabbaths, and the great day;
14 [your] fasting, and rest from work, your new moons also, and your feasts My soul hates; you have become loathsome to Me; I will no more pardon your sins.
15 When you stretch forth your hands, I will turn away My eyes from you; and though you make many supplications, I will not hearken to you; for your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash, and be clean; remove your iniquities from your souls before My eyes; cease from your iniquities;
17 learn to do well; diligently seek judgment, deliver him that is suffering wrong, plead for the orphan, and obtain justice for the widow.
18 And come, let us reason together, says the Lord; and though your sins be as purple, I will make them white as snow; and though they be as scarlet, I will make [them] white as wool.
19 And if you are willing, and hearken to Me, you shall eat the good of the land;
20 but if you be not willing, nor hearken to Me, a sword shall devour you; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken this.
21 How has the faithful city of Zion, [once] full of judgment, become a harlot! Where righteousness lodged, but now murderers.
22 Your silver is worthless, your wine merchants mix the wine with water.
23 Your princes are rebellious, companions of thieves, loving bribes, seeking after rewards; not pleading for orphans, and not heeding the cause of widows.
24 Therefore thus says the Lord, the Lord of hosts, Woe to the mighty [men] of Israel; for My wrath shall not cease against My adversaries, and I will execute judgment on My enemies.
25 And I will bring My hand upon you, and purge you completely, and I will destroy the rebellious, and I will take away all transgressors from you.
26 And I will establish your judges as before, and your counselors as at the beginning; and afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful mother city of Zion.
27 For her captives shall be saved with judgment, and with mercy.
28 And the transgressors and the sinners shall be crushed together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be utterly consumed.
29 For they shall be ashamed of their idols, which they delighted in, and they have been made ashamed of the gardens which they coveted.
30 For they shall be as a terebinth tree that has cast its leaves, and as a garden that has no water.
31 And their strength shall be as a thread of tow, and their works as sparks, and the transgressors and the sinners shall be burned up together, and there shall be none to quench [them].
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.