« | Isaiah 63 | » |
1 Who is this that has come from Edom, [with] red garments from Bosor? Thus fair in his apparel, with mighty strength? I speak of righteousness and saving judgment.
2 Why are your garments red, and your clothing as [if fresh] from a trodden winepress?
3 I am full of trodden [grapes], and of the nations there is not a man with Me; and I trampled them in My fury, and dashed them to pieces as earth, and brought down their blood to the earth.
4 For the day of recompense has come upon them, and the year of redemption is at hand.
5 And I looked, and there was no helper; and I observed, and none upheld; therefore My arm delivered them, and My anger drew near.
6 And I trampled them in My anger, and brought down their blood to the earth.
7 I remembered the mercy of the Lord, the praises of the Lord in all things in which He recompenses us. The Lord is a good judge to the house of Israel; He deals with us according to His mercy, and according to the abundance of His righteousness.
8 And He said, Is it not My people? The children surely will not be rebellious; and He became to them deliverance
9 out of all their affliction; not an ambassador, nor a messenger, but [He H]imself saved them, because He loved them and spared them; He Himself redeemed them, and took them up, and lifted them up all the days of old.
10 But they disobeyed, and provoked His Holy Spirit; so He turned to be an enemy, He Himself contended against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old, [saying], Where is He that brought up from the sea the shepherd of the sheep? Where is He that put His Holy Spirit in them?
12 Who led Moses with His right hand, the arm of His glory? He forced the water [to separate] from before him, to make Himself an everlasting name.
13 He led them through the deep, as a horse through the wilderness, and they fainted not,
14 and as cattle through a plain; the Spirit came down from the Lord, and guided them; thus You led Your people, to make Yourself a glorious name.
15 Turn from heaven, and look from Your holy habitation and [from] Your glory; where is Your zeal and Your strength? Where is the abundance of Your mercy and of Your compassions, that You have withheld Yourself from us?
16 For You are our Father; for [though] Abraham knew us not, and Israel did not acknowledge us, yet do You, O Lord, our Father, deliver us; Your name has been upon us from the beginning.
17 Why have You caused us to err, O Lord, from Your way? [And] have hardened our hearts, that we should not fear You? Return for Your servants' sake, for the sake of the tribes of Your inheritance,
18 that we may inherit a small part of Your holy mountain.
19 We have become as at the beginning, when You did not rule over us, and Your name was not called upon us.
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.