James 1 | » |
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 But let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it shall be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing, for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he shall receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother rejoice in his exaltation,
10 but the rich [man] in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
11 For the sun arose with burning heat and withered the grass, and its flower fell off, and its beautiful appearance perished. So the rich man also shall fade away in his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; because when he is approved, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
14 But each [one] is tempted by his own lusts, being drawn away and being seduced [by them].
15 Then lust, when it conceives, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
18 Exercising His will He begat us by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
19 So then, my beloved brothers, let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore laying aside all filthiness and abundance of evil, in meekness receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this [one] is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
24 for he observed himself and has gone away, and immediately forgot what sort of [man] he was.
25 But the [one] who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it], and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one shall be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceiving his heart, the religion of this [man] is useless.
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and [the] Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
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.