« | Isaiah 9 | » |
1 Drink this first. Act quickly, O land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, and the rest [that inhabit] the seacoast, and [the land] beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 O people walking in darkness, behold a great light; you that dwell in the region [and] shadow of death, a light shall shine upon you.
3 The multitude of the people which you have brought down in your joy, they shall even rejoice before you as they that rejoice in harvest, and as they that divide the spoil.
4 Because the yoke that was laid upon them has been taken away, and the rod that was on their neck; for he has broken the rod of the exactors, as in the day of Midian.
5 For they shall compensate for every garment that has been acquired by deceit, and [all] garments with restitution; and they shall be willing, [even] if they were burned with fire.
6 For a Child is born to us, and a Son is given to us, whose government is upon His shoulder; and His name is called the Messenger of great counsel; for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to Him.
7 His government shall be great, and of His peace there is no end; [it shall be] upon the throne of David, and [upon] His kingdom, to establish it, and to support [it] with judgment and with righteousness, from this time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this.
8 The Lord has sent death upon Jacob, and it has come upon Israel.
9 And all the people of Ephraim, and those that dwelt in Samaria shall know, who say in their pride and lofty heart,
10 The bricks are fallen down, but come, let us hew stones, and cut down sycamores and cedars, and let us build for ourselves a tower.
11 And God shall dash them down that rise up against Him on Mount Zion, and He shall scatter His enemies;
12 [even] Syria from the rising of the sun, and the Greeks from the setting of the sun, who devour Israel with open mouth. For all this [His] anger is not turned away, but still [His] hand is exalted.
13 But the people turned not until they were smitten, and they sought not the Lord.
14 So the Lord took away from Israel the head and tail, great and small, in one day;
15 the old man, and them that respect persons, this is the head; and the prophet teaching unlawful things, he is the tail.
16 And they that pronounce this people blessed shall mislead them; and they mislead them that they may devour them.
17 Therefore the Lord shall not take pleasure in their young men, neither shall He have pity on their orphans or on their widows; for they are all transgressors and wicked, and every mouth speaks unjustly. For all this [His] anger is not turned away, but [His] hand is yet exalted.
18 And iniquity shall burn as fire, and shall be devoured by fire as dry grass; and it shall burn in the thickets of the wood, and shall devour all that is round about the hills.
19 The whole earth is set on fire because of the fierce anger of the Lord, and the people shall be as men burned by fire; no man shall pity his brother.
20 But [one] shall turn aside to the right hand, for he shall be hungry; and shall eat on the left, and a man shall by no means be satisfied with eating the flesh of his own arm.
21 For Manasseh shall eat [the flesh] of Ephraim, and Ephraim [the flesh] of Manasseh; for they shall besiege Judah together. For all this [His] anger is not turned away, but [His] hand is yet exalted.
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.