« | Isaiah 48 | » |
1 Hear these [words], you house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and have come forth out of Judah, who swear by the name of the Lord God of Israel, making mention [of it, but] not with truth, nor with righteousness;
2 maintaining also the name of the holy city, and staying themselves on the God of Israel; the Lord of hosts is His name. The former things I have already declared;
3 and they that have proceeded out of My mouth, and it became well known; I wrought suddenly, and [the events] came to pass.
4 I know that you are stubborn, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your forehead bronze.
5 And I told you of old what [would be] before it came upon you; I made it known to you, lest you should say, [My] idols have done [it] for me; and should say, [My] graven and molten images have commanded me.
6 You have heard all this, but you have not known; yet I have made known to you the new things from henceforth, which are coming to pass, and you said not,
7 Now they come to pass, and not formerly; and you did not hear of them in former days; do not say, Yes, I know them.
8 You have neither known, nor understood, neither from the beginning have I opened your ears; for I knew that you would surely deal treacherously, and would be called a transgressor even from the womb.
9 For My own sake will I show you My wrath, and will bring before you My glorious acts, that I may not utterly destroy you.
10 Behold, I have sold you, [but] not for silver; but I have rescued you from the furnace of affliction.
11 For My own sake I will do [this] for you, because My name is profaned; and I will not give My glory to another.
12 Hear Me, O Jacob, and Israel whom I call; I am the first, and I endure forever.
13 My hand also has founded the earth, and My right hand has fixed the sky; I will call them, and they shall stand together.
14 And all shall be gathered, and shall hear; who has told them these things? Out of love to you I have fulfilled your desire on Babylon, to abolish the seed of the Chaldeans.
15 I have spoken, I have called, I have brought him, and made his way prosperous.
16 Draw near to Me, and hear these words; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; when it took place, there was I, and now the Lord, [even] the Lord, and His Spirit, has sent me.
17 Thus says the Lord that delivered you, the Holy One of Israel; I am your God, I have shown you how you should find the way in which you should walk.
18 And if you had hearkened to My commandments, [then] would your peace have been like a river, and your righteousness as a wave of the sea.
19 Your seed also would have been as the sand, and the offspring of your belly as the dust of the ground; neither now shall you by any means be utterly destroyed, neither shall your name perish from before Me.
20 Go forth of Babylon, you that flee from the Chaldeans; utter aloud a voice of joy, and let this be made known, proclaim it to the end of the earth; say, The Lord has delivered His servant Jacob.
21 And if they shall thirst, He shall lead them through the desert; He shall bring forth water to them out of the rock; the rock shall be split, and the water shall flow forth, and My people shall drink.
22 There is no joy, says the Lord, for the ungodly.
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.