« | Jeremiah 17 | » |
1 [This translation omits this verse.]
2 [This translation omits this verse.]
3 [This translation omits this verse.]
4 [This translation omits this verse.]
5 Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and will lean his arm of flesh upon him, while his heart departs from the Lord.
6 And he shall be as the wild tamarisk in the desert. he shall not see when good comes; but he shall dwell in barren [places], and in the wilderness, in a salty land which is not inhabited.
7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.
8 And he shall be as a thriving tree by the waters, and he shall cast forth his root toward a moist place. He shall not fear when heat comes, and there shall be shady branches upon him; he shall not fear in a year of drought, and he shall not fail to bear fruit.
9 The heart is deep beyond all things, and it constitutes the man, and who can know him?
10 I, the Lord, search the hearts, and test the mind, to give to everyone according to his ways, and according to the fruits of his doings.
11 The partridge utters her voice; she gathers [eggs] which she did not lay. [So is a man] gaining his wealth unjustly: in the midst of his days [his riches] shall leave him, and at his latter end he will be a fool.
12 An exalted throne of glory is our sanctuary.
13 O Lord, the hope of Israel, let all that have left You be ashamed, let them that have revolted be written on the earth, because they have forsaken the fountain of life, the Lord.
14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed. Save me, and I shall be saved; for You are my boast.
15 Behold, they say to me, Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come.
16 But I have not been weary of following You, nor have I desired the day of man. You know the [words] that proceed out of my lips; [they] are before Your face.
17 Be not a stranger to me, [but] spare me in the evil day.
18 Let them that persecute me be ashamed, but let me not be ashamed. Let them be alarmed, but let me not be alarmed. Bring upon them the evil day, crush them with double destruction.
19 Thus says the Lord; Go and stand in the gates of the children of your people, by which the kings of Judah enter, and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem.
20 And you shall say to them: Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah, and all Judea, and all Jerusalem, [all] who go in at these gates:
21 thus says the Lord: Take heed to your souls, and take up no burdens on the Sabbath day, and go not forth [through] the gates of Jerusalem;
22 and carry forth no burdens out of your houses on the Sabbath day, and you shall do no work. Sanctify the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
23 But they hearkened not, and inclined not their ear, but stiffened their neck more than their fathers [did], so as not to hear Me, and not to receive correction.
24 And it shall come to pass, if you will hearken to Me, says the Lord, to carry in no burdens through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, and to sanctify the Sabbath day, so as to do no work [upon it],
25 that there shall enter through the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, and riding on their chariots and horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the dwellers in Jerusalem. And this city shall be inhabited forever.
26 And [men] shall come out of the cities of Judah, and from round about Jerusalem, and out of the land of Benjamin, and out of the plain country, and from the hill country, and from the south, bringing whole burnt offerings, sacrifices, incense, manna, and frankincense, and bringing praise to the house of the Lord.
27 But it shall come to pass, that if you will not listen to Me and sanctify the Sabbath day, to bear no burdens, nor go in [with them by] the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then will I kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the streets of Jerusalem, and shall not be quenched.
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.