« | Isaiah 52 | » |
1 Awake, awake, Zion; put on your strength, O Zion; and put on your glory, O Jerusalem the holy city; for the uncircumcised and unclean shall pass through you no more.
2 Shake off the dust and arise; sit down, O Jerusalem; put off the band of your neck, captive daughter of Zion.
3 For thus says the Lord, You have been sold for nought; and you shall not be ransomed with silver.
4 Thus says the Lord, My people went down before to Egypt to sojourn there; and were carried away forcibly to the Assyrians.
5 And now why are you here? Thus says the Lord: Because My people were taken for nothing, wonder and howl. Thus says the Lord: On account of you My name is continually blasphemed among the Gentiles.
6 Therefore shall My people know My name in that day, for I am He that speaks; I am present,
7 as a season of beauty upon the mountains, as the feet of one preaching glad tidings of peace, as one preaching good news; for I will proclaim your salvation, saying, O Zion, your God shall reign.
8 For the voice of them that guard you is exalted, and with the voice together they shall rejoice; for eyes shall look to eyes, when the Lord shall have mercy upon Zion.
9 Let the waste places of Jerusalem break forth [in] joy together, because the Lord has had mercy upon her, and has delivered Jerusalem.
10 And the Lord shall reveal His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation that [comes] from our God.
11 Depart! Depart, go out from there, and touch not the unclean thing! Go you out from the midst of her; separate yourselves, you that bear the vessels of the Lord.
12 For you shall not go forth with haste, neither go by flight; for the Lord shall go first in advance of you; and the God of Israel shall be [the] [One] that brings up your rear.
13 Behold, My servant shall understand, and be exalted, and glorified exceedingly.
14 As many shall be amazed at You, so shall Your face be without glory from men, and Your glory [shall not be honored] by the sons of men.
15 Thus shall many nations wonder at Him; and kings shall keep their mouths shut; for they to whom no report was brought concerning Him shall see; and they who have not heard, shall consider.
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.