« | Isaiah 32 | » |
1 For behold, a righteous king shall reign, and princes shall govern with judgment.
2 And a man shall hide his words, and be hidden, as from rushing water, and shall appear in Zion as a rushing river, glorious in a thirsty land.
3 And they shall no longer trust in men, but they shall incline their ears to hear.
4 And the heart of the weak ones shall attend to hear, and the stammering tongues shall soon learn to speak peace.
5 And they shall no longer tell a fool to rule, and your servants shall no longer say, Be silent.
6 For the fool shall speak foolish words, and his heart shall meditate vanities, and to perform lawless deeds and to speak error against the Lord, to scatter hungry souls, and He will cause the thirsty souls to be empty.
7 For the counsel of the wicked will devise iniquity, to destroy the poor with unjust words, and ruin the cause of the poor in judgment.
8 But the godly have devised wise [measures], and this counsel shall stand.
9 Rise up, you rich women, and hear my voice; you confident daughters, hearken to my words.
10 Remember for a full year in pain, yet with hope; the vintage has been cut off; it has ceased, it shall by no means come again.
11 Be amazed, be pained, you confident ones; strip, bare yourselves, gird your loins
12 and beat your breasts, because of the pleasant field, and the fruit of the vine.
13 [As for] the land of my people, the thorn and grass shall come upon [it], and joy shall be removed from every house.
14 [As for] the rich city, the houses are deserted; they shall abandon the wealth of the city, [and] the pleasant houses; and the villages shall be caves forever, the joy of wild donkeys, shepherds' pastures;
15 until the Spirit shall come upon you from on high, and Carmel shall be desert, and Carmel shall be counted for a forest.
16 Then judgment shall abide in the wilderness, and righteousness shall dwell in Carmel.
17 And the works of righteousness shall be peace; and righteousness shall ensure rest, and [the righteous] shall be confident forever.
18 And His people shall inhabit a city of peace, and dwell in [it] in confidence, and they shall rest with wealth.
19 And if the hail should come down, it shall not come upon you; and they that dwell in the forests shall be in confidence, as those in the plain country.
20 Blessed are they that sow by every water, where the ox and the donkey tread.
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.