« | Jeremiah 20 | » |
1 Now Pashur the son of Immer, the priest, who also had been appointed chief of the house of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these words.
2 And he struck him, and cast him into the dungeon which was by the gate of the upper house that was set apart, which was by the house of the Lord.
3 And Pashur brought Jeremiah out of the dungeon. And Jeremiah said to him, [the Lord] has not called your name Pashur, but Exile.
4 For thus says the Lord: Behold, I [will] give you up to captivity with all your friends, and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes shall see [it]. And I will give you and all Judah into the hands of the king of Babylon, and they shall carry them captives, and cut them to pieces with swords.
5 And I will give all the strength of this city, and all the labors of it, and all the treasures of the king of Judah, into the hands of his enemies, and they shall bring them to Babylon.
6 And you and all who live in your house shall go into captivity, and you shall die in Babylon, and there you and all your friends shall be buried, to whom you have prophesied lies.
7 You have deceived me, O Lord, and I have been deceived. You have been strong, and have prevailed. I have become a laughing stock, I am continually mocked every day.
8 For I will laugh with my bitter speech, I will call upon rebellion and misery; for the word of the Lord has become a reproach to me and a mockery all my days.
9 Then I said, I will by no means name the name of the Lord, and I will no longer speak in His name. But it was a burning fire flaming in my bones, and I am utterly weakened on all sides, and cannot bear [up].
10 For I have heard the reproach of many gathering round, [saying], Conspire, and let us conspire together against him, [even] all his friends. Watch his intentions, if perhaps he shall be deceived, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall be avenged on him.
11 But the Lord was with me as a mighty man of war; therefore they persecuted [me], but could not perceive [anything against me.] They were greatly confounded, for they perceived not their disgrace, which shall never be forgotten.
12 O Lord, [You] who tests the righteous, [and] who understands the mind and heart, let me see Your vengeance upon them: for to You I have revealed my cause.
13 Sing to the Lord, sing praises to Him: for He has rescued the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
14 Cursed be the day in which I was born! Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me!
15 Cursed be the man who brought the glad tidings to my father, saying, A male child has been born to you.
16 Let that man rejoice as the cities which the Lord overthrew in wrath, and repented not: let him hear crying in the morning, and loud lamentation at noon;
17 because he slew me not in the womb, and my mother became not my tomb, and her womb always enlarged with me.
18 Why is it that I came forth from the womb to see troubles and distresses, and my days are spent in shame?
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.