« | Isaiah 66 |
1 Thus says the Lord: Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool; what kind of a house will you build for Me? And of what kind [is to be] the place of My rest?
2 For all these things are Mine, says the Lord; and to whom will I have respect, but to the humble and meek, and the [man] that trembles [at] My words?
3 But the transgressor that sacrifices a calf to Me, is as he that kills a dog; and he that offers fine flour, as [one that offers] swine's blood; he that gives frankincense for a memorial, is as a blasphemer. Yet they have chosen their own ways, and their soul has delighted in their abominations.
4 I also will choose their mockeries, and will recompense their sins upon them; because I called them, and they did not hearken to Me; I spoke, and they heard not; and they did evil before Me, and chose the things in which I did not delight.
5 Hear the words of the Lord, you that tremble at His word; speak, our brethren, to them that hate you and abominate you, that the name of the Lord may be glorified, and may appear their joy; but they shall be ashamed.
6 A voice of a cry from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord rendering recompense to [His] adversaries.
7 Before she that travailed has brought forth, before the birth pains came on, she escaped [it] and brought forth a male.
8 Who has heard such a thing? And who has seen after this manner? Has the earth travailed in one day? Or has even a nation been born at once, that Zion has travailed, and brought forth her children?
9 But I have raised this expectation, yet you have not remembered Me, says the Lord; behold, have not I made the bearing and barren woman? Says your God.
10 Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and all you that love her hold in her a general assembly; rejoice greatly with her, all that [now] mourn over her;
11 that you may feed and be satisfied with the consolation of her bosom; that you may drink deeply, and delight yourselves with the abundance of her glory.
12 For thus says the Lord: Behold, I turn toward them as a river of peace, and as a torrent bringing upon them in a flood the glory of the Gentiles; their children shall be borne upon the shoulders, and comforted on the knees.
13 As if his mother should comfort one, so will I also comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 And you shall see, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall thrive like grass; and the hand of the Lord shall be known to them that fear Him, and He shall threaten the disobedient.
15 For behold, the Lord will come as fire, and His chariots as a storm, to render His vengeance with wrath, and His rebuke with a flame of fire.
16 For with the fire of the Lord all the earth shall be judged, and all flesh with His sword; many shall be slain by the Lord.
17 They that sanctify themselves and purify themselves in the gardens, and eat swine's flesh in the porches, and the abominations, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, says the Lord.
18 And I [know] their works and their imagination. I am going to gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see My glory.
19 And I will leave a sign upon them, and I will send forth them that have escaped of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, Lud, Mosoch, and to Tubal, and to Greece, and to the isles afar off, to those who have not heard of My name, nor seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles.
20 And they shall bring your brethren out of all nations for a gift to the Lord with horses, and chariots, in litters [drawn by] mules with awnings, to the holy city Jerusalem, said the Lord, as though the children of Israel should bring their sacrifices to Me with psalms into the house of the Lord.
21 And I will take of them priests and Levites, says the Lord.
22 For as the new heaven and the new earth, which I make, remain before Me, says the Lord, so shall your seed and your name continue.
23 And it shall come to pass from month to month, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, [that] all flesh shall come to worship before Me in Jerusalem, says the Lord.
24 And they shall go forth, and see the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against Me; for their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched; and they shall be a spectacle to all flesh.
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.