« | Isaiah 26 | » |
1 In that day they shall sing this song in the land of Judah; Behold a strong city; and He shall make salvation [its] wall and bulwark.
2 Open the gates, let the nation enter that keeps righteousness, and keeps truth,
3 supporting truth, and keeping peace; for on You, O Lord,
4 they have trusted with confidence forever, the great, eternal God;
5 who has humbled and brought down them that dwell on high; You shall cast down strong cities, and bring them to the ground.
6 And the feet of the meek and lowly shall trample them.
7 The way of the godly is made straight; the way of the godly is also prepared.
8 For the way of the Lord is judgment; we have hoped in Your name, and on the remembrance [of You],
9 which our soul longs for; my spirit seeks You very early in the morning, O God, for Your commandments are a light on the earth; learn righteousness, you that dwell upon the earth.
10 For the ungodly one is put down; no one who will not learn righteousness on the earth, shall be able to do the truth; let the ungodly be taken away, that he may not see the glory of the Lord.
11 O Lord, Your arm is exalted, yet they knew it not; but when they know they shall be ashamed; jealously shall seize upon an untaught nation, and now fire shall devour the adversaries.
12 O Lord our God, give us peace, for You have rendered to us all things.
13 O Lord our God, take possession of us; O Lord, we know not [any] other beside You; we name Your name.
14 But the dead shall not see life, neither shall physicians by any means raise [them] up; therefore You have brought [wrath] upon [them], and slain [them], and have taken away every male of them. Bring more evils upon them, O Lord;
15 bring more evils on the glorious ones of the earth.
16 Lord, in affliction I remembered You; Your chastening was to us with small affliction.
17 And as a woman in labor draws near to be delivered, [and] cries out in her pain; so have we been to Your beloved.
18 We have conceived, O Lord, because of Your fear, and have been in pain, and have brought forth the breath of Your salvation, which we have wrought upon the earth; we shall not fall, but all that dwell upon the land shall fall.
19 The dead shall rise, and they that are in the tombs shall be raised, and they that are in the earth shall rejoice; for the dew from You is healing to them; but the land of the ungodly shall perish.
20 Go, my people, enter into your closets, shut your door, hide yourself for a little season, until the anger of the Lord has passed away.
21 For behold, the Lord is bringing wrath from [His] holy place on those that dwell upon the earth; the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall not cover her slain.
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.