« | Isaiah 43 | » |
1 And now thus says the Lord God that made you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel, Fear not; for I have redeemed you, I have called you [by] your name; you are Mine.
2 And if you pass through water, I am with you; and the rivers shall not overflow you; and if you go through the fire, you shall not be burned; the flame shall not burn you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, that saves you; I have made Egypt and Ethiopia your ransom, and [have given] Seba for you.
4 Since you became precious in My sight, you have become glorious, and I have loved you; and I will give men for you, and princes for your life.
5 Fear not; for I am with you; I will bring your seed from the east, and will gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, Bring; and to the south, Keep not back; bring My sons from the [land] afar off, and My daughters from the ends of the earth;
7 [even] all who are called by My name; for I have prepared him for My glory, and I have formed him, and have made him;
8 and I have brought forth the blind people; for [their] eyes are alike blind, and those that have ears are deaf.
9 All the nations are gathered together, and princes shall be gathered out of them; who will declare these things? Or who will declare to you things from the beginning? Let them bring forth their witnesses, and be justified; and let them hear, and declare the truth.
10 Be My witnesses, and I [too am] a witness, says the Lord God, and My servant whom I have chosen; that you may know, and believe, and understand that I am [He]; before Me there was no other God, and after Me there shall be none.
11 I am God; and beside Me there is no savior.
12 I have declared, and have saved; I have reproached, and there was no strange [god] among you; you are My witnesses, and I am the Lord God,
13 even from the beginning; and there is none that can deliver out of My hands; I will work, and who shall turn it back?
14 Thus says the Lord God that redeems you, the Holy One of Israel; for your sakes I will send to Babylon, and I will stir up all that flee, and the Chaldeans shall be bound in ships.
15 I am the Lord God, your Holy One, who have appointed for Israel your king.
16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty water;
17 who brought forth chariots and horse, and a mighty multitude; but they have laid down, and shall not rise; they are extinct, as quenched flax.
18 Remember not the former things, and consider not the ancient things.
19 Behold, I [will] do new things, which shall presently spring forth, and you shall know them; and I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the dry land;
20 the beasts of the field shall bless Me, the owls and young ostriches; for I have given water in the wilderness, and rivers in the dry land, to give drink to My chosen race,
21 My people whom I have preserved to tell forth My praises.
22 I have not now called you, O Jacob; neither have I made you weary, O Israel.
23 You have not brought Me the sheep of your whole burnt offering; neither have you glorified Me with your sacrifices. I have not caused you to serve with sacrifices, neither have I wearied you with frankincense.
24 Neither have you purchased for Me victims for silver, neither have I desired the fat of your sacrifices; but you stood before Me in your sins, and in your iniquities.
25 I, [even] I, am He that blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and your sins; and I will remember [them] no more.
26 Put Me in rememberance, and let us contend [together]; confess your transgressions first, that you may be justified.
27 Your fathers first, and your princes have transgressed against Me.
28 And the princes have defiled My sanctuaries; so I gave Jacob [to enemies] to destroy, and Israel to reproach.
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.