« | Isaiah 13 | » |
1 The vision which Isaiah son of Amoz saw against Babylon.
2 Lift up a standard on the mountain of the plain, exalt the voice to them, beckon with the hand, open [the gates], you rulers.
3 I give command, and I bring them; giants are coming to fulfill My wrath, rejoicing at the same time and insulting.
4 A voice of many nations on the mountains, [even] like [to that] of many nations; a voice of kings and nations gathered together; the Lord of hosts has given command to a war-like nation,
5 to come from a land afar off, from the utmost foundation of heaven; the Lord and His warriors [are coming] to destroy all the world.
6 Howl, for the day of the Lord is near, and destruction from God shall arrive.
7 Therefore every hand shall become powerless, and every soul of man shall be dismayed.
8 The elders shall be troubled, and pangs shall seize them, as of a woman in labor; and they shall mourn one to another, and shall be amazed, and shall change their countenance as a flame.
9 For behold, the day of the Lord is coming which cannot be escaped, [a day] of wrath and anger, to make the world desolate, and to destroy sinners out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven, and Orion, and all the host of heaven, shall not give their light; and it shall be dark at sunrise, and the moon shall not give her light.
11 And I will command evils for the whole world, and [will visit] their sins on the ungodly; and I will destroy the pride of transgressors, and will bring low the pride of the haughty.
12 And they that are left shall be more precious than gold tried in the fire; and a man shall be more precious than the stone that is in Ophir.
13 For the heaven shall be enraged, and the earth shall be shaken from her foundation, because of the fierce anger of the Lord of hosts, in the day in which His wrath shall come on.
14 And they that are left shall be as a fleeing fawn, and as a stray sheep, and there shall be none to gather [them]; so that a man shall turn back to his people, and a man shall flee to his own land.
15 For whosoever shall be taken shall be overcome; and they that are gathered together shall fall by the sword.
16 And they shall dash their children before their eyes; and they shall spoil their houses, and shall take their wives.
17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against you, who do not regard silver, neither have they need of gold.
18 They shall break the bows of the young men; and they shall have no mercy on your children; nor shall their eyes spare your children.
19 And Babylon, which is called glorious by the king of the Chaldeans, shall be as [when] God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall any enter into it for many generations; neither shall the Arabians pass through it; nor shall shepherds at all rest in it.
21 But wild beasts shall rest there; and the houses shall be filled with howling; and monsters shall rest there, and demons shall dance there,
22 and satyrs shall dwell there; and hedgehogs shall make their nests in their houses. It will come soon, and will not tarry.
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.