« | Isaiah 19 | » |
1 The vision of Egypt. Behold, the Lord sits on a swift cloud, and shall come to Egypt. And the idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence, and their hearts shall faint within them.
2 And the Egyptians shall be stirred up against the Egyptians; and a man shall fight against his brother, and a man against his neighbor, city against city, and law against law.
3 And the spirit of the Egyptians shall be troubled within them; and I will frustrate their counsel; and they shall inquire of their gods and their images, and them that speak out of the earth, and them that have in them a divining spirit.
4 And I will deliver Egypt into the hands of men, of cruel masters; and cruel kings shall rule over them; thus says the Lord of hosts.
5 And the Egyptians shall drink the water that is by the sea, but the river shall fail, and be dried up.
6 And the streams shall fail, and the canals of the river; and every reservoir of water shall be dried up, in every marsh also of reed and papyrus.
7 And all the green herbs round about the river, and everything sown by the side of the river, shall be blasted with the wind and dried up.
8 And the fishermen shall groan, and all that cast a hook into the river shall groan; they also that cast nets, and the anglers shall mourn.
9 And shame shall come upon them that work fine flax, and them that make fine linen.
10 And they that work at them shall be in pain, and all that make beer shall be grieved, and be pained in their souls.
11 And the princes of Tanis shall be fools; [as for] the king's wise counselors, their counsel shall be turned into folly; how will you say to the king, we are sons of wise men, sons of ancient kings?
12 Where are your wise men now? And let them declare to you, and say, What has the Lord of hosts purposed upon Egypt?
13 The princes of Tanis have failed, and the princes of Memphis are lifted up [with pride], and they shall cause Egypt to wander by tribes.
14 For the Lord has prepared for them a spirit of error, and they have caused Egypt to err in all their works, as one staggers who is drunken and vomits also.
15 And there shall be no work to the Egyptians, which shall make head or tail, or beginning or end.
16 But in that day the Egyptians shall be as women, in fear and in trembling because of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which He shall bring upon them.
17 And the land of the Jews shall be for a terror to the Egyptians; whosoever shall name it to them, they shall fear, because of the counsel which the Lord of hosts has purposed concerning it.
18 In that day there shall be five cities in Egypt speaking the language of Canaan, and swearing by the name of the Lord of hosts; one city shall be called the City of Asedek.
19 In that day there shall be an altar to the Lord in the land of the Egyptians, and a pillar to the Lord by its border.
20 And it shall be for a sign to the Lord forever in the land of Egypt; for they shall presently cry to the Lord by reason of them that afflict them, and He shall send them a man who shall save them; He shall judge and save them.
21 And the Lord shall be known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day; and they shall offer sacrifices, and shall vow vows to the Lord, and pay [them].
22 And the Lord shall smite the Egyptians with a stroke, and shall completely heal them; and they shall return to the Lord, and He shall hear them, and thoroughly heal them.
23 In that day there shall be a way from Egypt to the Assyrians, and the Assyrians shall enter into Egypt, and the Egyptians shall go to the Assyrians, and the Egyptians shall serve the Assyrians.
24 In that day shall Israel be third with the Egyptians and the Assyrians, blessed in the land which the Lord of hosts has blessed,
25 saying, Blessed be My people that are in Egypt, and that are among the Assyrians, and Israel My inheritance.
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.