Jeremiah 1 | » |
1 The word of God which came to Jeremiah the [son] of Hilkiah, of the priests who dwelt in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
2 [accordingly] as the word of God came to him in the days of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
3 And it was in the days of Joakim, son of Josiah king of Judah, until the eleventh year of Zedekiah king of Judah, [even] until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month.
4 And the word of the Lord came to him, [saying],
5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; and before you came forth from the womb, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
6 And I said, O Lord, Sovereign Lord, behold, I know not [how] to speak, for I am a child.
7 And the Lord said to me, Say not, I am a child; for you shall go to all to whomsoever I shall send you, and according to all [the words] that I shall command you, you shall speak.
8 Be not afraid before them; for I am with you, to deliver you, says the Lord.
9 And the Lord stretched forth His hand to me, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words into your mouth.
10 Behold, I have appointed you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to rebuild, and to plant.
11 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, What do you see? And I said, A rod of an almond tree.
12 And the Lord said to me, You have seen well, for I have watched over My words, to perform them.
13 And the word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying, What do you see? And I said, A caldron on the fire; and the face of it is toward the north.
14 And the Lord said to me, From the north shall flame forth evils upon all the inhabitants of the land.
15 For behold, I call together all the kingdoms of the earth from the north, says the Lord. And they shall come, and shall set each one his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls round about her, and against all the cities of Judah.
16 And I will speak to them in judgment concerning all their iniquity, [forasmuch] as they have forsaken Me, and sacrificed to strange gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
17 Gird up your loins, and stand up, and speak all [the words] that I shall command you. Be not afraid of their face, neither be alarmed before them; for I am with you, to deliver you, says the Lord.
18 Behold, I have made you this day as a strong city, and as a bronze wall, strong [against] all the kings of Judah and its princes, and the people of the land.
19 And they shall fight against you, but they shall by no means prevail against you; because I am with you, to deliver you, 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.