« | Isaiah 60 | » |
1 Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!
2 Behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and [there shall be] deep darkness on the nations; but the Lord shall appear upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you.
3 And kings shall walk in your light, and nations in your brightness.
4 Lift up your eyes round about, and behold your children gathered; all your sons have come from far, and your daughters shall be borne on [men's] shoulders.
5 Then shall you see, and fear, and be amazed in your heart; for the wealth of the sea shall come round to you, and of nations and peoples; and herds of camels shall come to you,
6 and the camels of Midian and Ephah shall cover you; all from Saba shall come bearing gold, and shall bring frankincense, and they shall proclaim the salvation of the Lord.
7 And all the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered, and the rams of Nebaioth shall come; and acceptable sacrifices shall be offered on My altar, and My house of prayer shall be glorified.
8 Who are these [that] fly as clouds, and as doves with young ones to Me?
9 The isles have waited for Me, and the ships of Tarshish among the first, to bring your children from afar, and their silver and their gold with them, and [that] for the sake of the holy name of the Lord, and because the Holy One of Israel is glorified.
10 And strangers shall build your walls, and their kings shall wait upon you; for by reason of My wrath I have struck you, and by reason of mercy I have loved you.
11 And your gates shall be opened continually; they shall not be shut, day or night; to bring in to you the power of the Gentiles, and their kings as captives.
12 For the nations and the kings which will not serve you shall perish; and those nations shall be made utterly desolate.
13 And the glory of Lebanon shall come to you, with the cypress, and pine, and cedar together, to glorify My holy place.
14 And the sons of them that afflicted you, and of them that provoked you, shall come to you in fear; and you shall be called Zion, the city of the Holy One of Israel.
15 Because you have become desolate and hated, and there was no helper, therefore I will make you a perpetual gladness, a joy of many generations.
16 And you shall drink the milk of the Gentiles, and shall eat the wealth of kings; and shall know that I am the Lord that saves you and delivers you, the Holy One of Israel.
17 And for brass I will bring you gold, and for iron I will bring you silver, and instead of wood I will bring you brass, and instead of stones, iron; and I will make your princes peaceable, and your overseers righteous.
18 And injustice shall no more be heard in your land, nor destruction nor misery in your coasts; but your walls shall be called Salvation, and your gates Sculptured Work.
19 And you shall no more have the sun for a light by day, nor shall the rising of the moon lighten your night; but the Lord shall be your everlasting light, and God your glory.
20 For the sun shall no more set, nor shall the moon be eclipsed; for the Lord shall be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be completed.
21 Your people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, preserving that which they have planted, [even] the works of their hands, for glory.
22 The little one shall become thousands, and the least a great nation; I the Lord will gather them in [due] time.
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.