« | Isaiah 65 | » |
1 I became manifest to them that asked not for Me; I was found by them that sought Me not; I said, Behold, I am [here], to a nation who called not on My name.
2 I have stretched forth My hands all day to a disobedient and gainsaying people, to them that walked in a way that was not good, but after their sins.
3 This is the people that provokes Me continually in My presence; they offer sacrifices in gardens, and burn incense on bricks to demons, which exist not.
4 They lie down to sleep in the tombs and in the caves for the sake of dreams, [even] they that eat swine's flesh, and the broth of [their] sacrifices; all their vessels are defiled;
5 who say, Depart from me, draw not near to me, for I am pure. This is the smoke of My wrath, a fire burns with it continually.
6 Behold, it is written before Me; I will not be silent until I have recompensed into their bosom,
7 their sins and [the sins] of their fathers, says the Lord, who have burned incense on the mountains, and reproached Me on the hills; I will recompense their works into their bosom.
8 Thus says the Lord: As the new wine shall be found in the cluster, and they shall say, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it; so will I do for the sake of him that serves Me, for his sake I will not destroy [them] all.
9 And I will lead forth the seed [that came] of Jacob and of Judah, and they shall inherit My holy mountain; and My elect and My servants shall inherit it, and shall dwell there.
10 And there shall be in the forest folds of flocks, and the valley of Achor [shall] be for a resting place of herds for My people, who have sought Me.
11 But you are they that have left Me, and forget My holy mountain, and prepare a table for the devil, and fill up the drink offering to Fortune.
12 I will deliver you up to the sword, you shall all fall by slaughter; for I called you, and you hearkened not; I spoke, and you refused to hear; and you did evil in My sight, and chose the things in which I do not delight.
13 Therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, My servants shall eat, but you shall hunger; behold, My servants shall drink, but you shall thirst; behold, My servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed;
14 behold, My servants shall exalt with joy, but you shall cry for the sorrow of your heart, and shall howl for the vexation of your spirit.
15 For you shall leave your name for a loathing to My chosen, and the Lord shall destroy you; but My servants shall be called by a new name,
16 which shall be blessed on the earth; for they shall bless the true God; and they that swear upon the earth shall swear by the true God; for they shall forget the former affliction, it shall not come into their mind.
17 For there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall not at all remember the former, neither shall they at all come into their mind.
18 But they shall find in her joy and exaltation; for behold, I make Jerusalem a rejoicing, and My people a joy.
19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and will be glad in My people; and there shall no more be heard in her the voice of weeping, or the voice of crying.
20 Neither shall there be there anymore a [child that dies] untimely, or an old man who shall not complete his time; for the youth shall be a hundred years [old], and the sinner who dies at a hundred years shall also be accursed;
21 and they shall build houses, and they shall dwell in [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and shall eat its fruit.
22 They shall by no means build, and others inhabit; and they shall by no means plant, and others eat; for as the days of the tree of life shall be the days of My people, they shall long enjoy the fruits of their labors.
23 My elect shall not toil in vain; neither shall they beget children to be cursed; for they are a seed blessed of God, and their offspring with them.
24 And it shall come to pass, [that] before they call, I will hearken to them; while they are yet speaking, I will say, What is it?
25 Then wolves and lambs shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and earth [shall be] the serpent's bread. They shall not injure nor destroy on My holy mountain, says the Lord.
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.