« | Isaiah 45 | » |
1 Thus says the Lord God to My anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, that nations might be obedient before him; and I will break through the strength of kings; I will open doors before him, and cities shall not be closed.
2 I will go before you, and will level mountains; I will break to pieces the bronze doors, and burst the iron bars.
3 And I will give you the treasures of darkness, I will open to you hidden, unseen [treasures], that you may know that I, the Lord your God, that call you by name, am the God of Israel.
4 For the sake of My servant Jacob, and Israel My elect, I will call you by your name, and accept you; but you have not known Me.
5 For I am the Lord God, and there is no other God beside Me; I strengthened you, and you have not known Me.
6 That they that [come] from the east and they that [come] from the west may know that there is no God but Me. I am the Lord God, and there is none beside.
7 I am He that prepared light, and formed darkness; who makes peace, and creates calamity; I am the Lord God, that does all these things.
8 Let the heavens rejoice from above, and let the clouds rain righteousness; let the earth bring forth, and blossom [with] mercy, and bring forth righteousness likewise; I am the Lord that created you.
9 What excellent thing have I prepared as clay of the potter? Will the plowman plow the earth all day? Shall the clay say to the potter, What are you doing that you do not work, nor have hands? Shall the thing formed answer Him that formed it?
10 As though one should say to [his] father, What will you beget me? And to his mother, What are you bringing forth?
11 For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, who has formed the things that are to come, Inquire of Me concerning My sons, and concerning the works of My hands, ask of Me.
12 I have made the earth, and man upon it; with My hand I have established the heavens; I have given commandment to all the stars.
13 I have raised him up [to be] a king with righteousness, and all his ways are right; he shall build My city, and shall turn the captivity of My people, not for ransoms, nor for rewards, says the Lord of hosts.
14 Thus says the Lord of hosts, Egypt has labored [for you]; and the merchandise of the Ethiopians, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall pass over to you, and shall be your servants; and they shall follow after you bound in fetters, and shall pass over to you, and shall bow down to you, and make supplication to you; because God is in you; and there is no God beside You, [O Lord].
15 For you are God, yet we knew [it] not, the God of Israel, the Savior.
16 All that are opposed to Him shall be ashamed and confounded, and shall walk in shame; you isles, keep a feast to Me.
17 Israel is saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; they shall not be ashamed nor confounded forever.
18 Thus says the Lord that made the heaven, this God that created the earth, and made it; He marked it out, He made it not in vain, but formed it to be inhabited; I am the Lord, and there is no other.
19 I have not spoken in secret, nor in a dark place of the earth; I said not to the seed of Jacob, Seek vanity; I, even I, am the Lord, speaking righteousness, and proclaiming truth.
20 Assemble yourselves and come; take counsel together, you that escape from the nations. They that set up wood, [even] their graven image, have no knowledge, nor do they who pray to gods that do not save.
21 If they will declare, let them draw near, that they may know together, who has caused these things to be heard from the beginning; then was it told you. I am God, and there is not another beside Me; a just [God] and a Savior; there is none besides Me.
22 Turn to Me, and you shall be saved, you that [come] from the end of the earth; I am God, and there is none other.
23 By Myself I swear, righteousness shall surely proceed out of My mouth; My words shall not be frustrated; that to Me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall swear by God,
24 saying, Righteousness and glory shall come to Him; and all that remove them from their borders shall be ashamed.
25 By the Lord shall they be justified, and in God shall all the seed of the children of Israel be glorified.
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.