« | Isaiah 59 | » |
1 Has the hand of the Lord no power to save? Or has He made His ear heavy, so that He should not hear?
2 But rather, your iniquities separate between you and God, and because of your sins has He turned away [His] face from you, so as not to have mercy [upon you].
3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with sins; your lips also have spoken iniquity, and your tongue meditates unrighteousness.
4 None speaks justly, neither is there true judgment; they trust in vanities, and speak empty [words]; for they conceive trouble, and bring forth iniquity.
5 They have hatched vipers' eggs, and weave a spider's web; and he that is going to eat of their eggs, having crushed an addled egg, has found also in it a basilisk.
6 Their web shall not become a garment, nor shall they at all clothe themselves with their works; for their works are works of iniquity.
7 And their feet run to wickedness, [and are] swift to shed blood; their thoughts also are thoughts of murder; destruction and misery are in their ways;
8 and the way of peace they know not, neither is there judgment in their ways; for their paths by which they go are crooked, and they know not peace.
9 Therefore has judgment departed from them, and righteousness shall not overtake them; while they waited for light, darkness came upon them; while they waited for brightness, they walked in perplexity.
10 They shall feel for the wall as blind [men], and shall feel [for it] as if they had no eyes; and they shall feel at noonday as at midnight; they shall groan as dying men.
11 They shall proceed together as a bear and as a dove; we have waited for judgment, and there is no salvation, it is gone far from us.
12 For our iniquity is great before You, and our sins have risen up against us; for our iniquities are in us, and we know our unrighteous deeds.
13 We have sinned, and dealt falsely, and revolted from our God; we have spoken unrighteous words, and have been disobedient; we have conceived and uttered from our heart unrighteous words.
14 And we have turned back judgment, and righteousness has departed afar off; for truth is consumed in their ways, and they could not pass by a straight [path].
15 And truth has been taken away, and they have turned aside [their] mind from understanding. And the Lord saw it, and it pleased Him not that there was no judgment.
16 And He looked, and there was no man, and He observed, and there was none to help; so He defended them with His arm, and established [them] with [His] mercy.
17 And He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and placed the helmet of salvation on His head; and He clothed himself with the garment of vengeance, and with His cloak,
18 as one about to render a recompense, [even] reproach to His adversaries.
19 So shall they of the west fear the name of the Lord, and they [that come] from the rising of the sun [shall fear] His glorious name; for the wrath of the Lord shall come as a mighty river, it shall come with fury.
20 And the deliverer shall come for Zion's sake, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
21 And this shall be My covenant with them, said the Lord; My Spirit which is upon you, and the words which I have put in your mouth, shall never fail from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your seed, for the Lord has spoken it, henceforth and forever!
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.