« | Isaiah 25 | » |
1 O Lord God, I will glorify You, I will sing to Your name; for You have done wonderful things, [even] an ancient [and] faithful counsel. Amen.
2 For You have made cities a heap, [even] cities [made] strong that their foundations should not fall; the city of ungodly men shall not be built forever.
3 Therefore shall the poor people bless You, and cities of injured men shall bless You.
4 For You have been a helper to every lowly city, and a shelter to them that were disheartened by reason of poverty; You shall deliver them from wicked men; [You have been] a shelter for them that thirst, and a refreshing air to injured men.
5 [We were] as faint-hearted men thirsting in Zion, by reason of ungodly men to whom You delivered us.
6 And the Lord of hosts shall make [a feast] for all the nations; on this mount they shall drink gladness, they shall drink wine;
7 they shall anoint themselves with ointment in this mountain. Impart all these things to the nations; for this is [God's] counsel upon all the nations.
8 Death has prevailed and swallowed [men] up; but again the Lord God has taken away every tear from every face. He has taken away the reproach of [His] people from all the earth; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
9 And in that day they shall say, behold our God in whom we have trusted, and He shall save us; this [is] the Lord; we have waited for Him, and we have exalted, and will rejoice in our salvation.
10 God will give rest on this mountain, and the country of Moab shall be trodden down, as they tread the floor with wagons.
11 And He shall spread forth His hands, even as He also brings down [man] to destroy [him]; and He shall bring low his pride [regarding that] in which he has laid his hands.
12 And He shall bring down the height of the refuge of the wall, and it shall come down, even to the ground.
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.