« | Jeremiah 18 | » |
1 The word that came from the Lord to
2 Jeremiah, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there you shall hear My words.
3 So I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he was making a vessel on the stones.
4 And the vessel which he was making with his hands fell [apart.] So he made it into another vessel, as it seemed good to him.
5 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
6 O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter? Behold, as the clay [is in] the potter's[hand], so are you in My hands.
7 [If] I shall pronounce a decree upon a nation, or upon a kingdom, to cut them off, and to destroy [them];
8 and that nation turn from all their sins, then will I relent of the disasters which I purposed to do to them.
9 And [if] I shall pronounce a decree upon a nation and kingdom, to rebuild and to plant [it];
10 and they do evil before Me, so as not to heed My voice, then will I relent of the good which I spoke of, to do it to them.
11 And now, say to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Behold, I prepare disasters against you, and devise a plan against you: let everyone turn now from his evil way, and amend your practices.
12 And they said, We will quit ourselves like men, for we will pursue our perverse ways, and we will perform each the lusts of his evil heart.
13 Therefore thus says the Lord: Inquire now among the nations, who has heard such horrible things as [what] the virgin of Israel has done?
14 Will fertilizing streams fail [to flow] from a rock, or snow [fail] from Lebanon? Will water violently impelled by the wind turn aside?
15 For My people have forgotten Me, they have offered incense in vain, and they fail in their ways, [leaving] the ancient tracks, to enter upon impassable paths;
16 to make their land a desolation, and a perpetual hissing. All that go through it shall be amazed, and shall shake their heads.
17 I will scatter them before their enemies like an east wind. I will show them the day of their destruction.
18 Then they said, Come, and let us devise a plan against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us attack him with the tongue, and we will hear all his words.
19 Hear me, O Lord, and hear the voice of my pleading.
20 Forasmuch as evil is rewarded for good; for they have spoken words against my soul, and they have hidden the punishment they [meant] for me. Remember that I stood before Your face, to speak good concerning them, to turn away Your wrath from them.
21 Therefore deliver up their sons to famine, and gather them to the power of the sword. Let their women be childless and widows, and let their men be cut off by death, and their young men fall by the sword in war.
22 Let there be a cry in their houses: You shall bring upon them robbers suddenly- for they have formed a plan to take me, and have hidden snares for me.
23 And You, O Lord, know all their deadly counsel against me: provide no atonement for their iniquities, and do not blot out their sins from before You. Let their weakness come before You; deal with them in the time of Your wrath.
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.