« | Jeremiah 8 | » |
1 At that time, says the Lord, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves;
2 and they shall spread them out to the sun, and the moon, and to all the stars, and to all the host of heaven, which they have loved, and which they have served, and after which they have walked, and to which they have held, and which they have worshipped. They shall not be mourned for, neither shall they be buried; but they shall be for an example on the face of the earth,
3 because they chose death rather than life, even to all the remnant that are left of that family, in every place where I shall drive them out.
4 For thus says the Lord, Shall not he that falls arise? Or he that turns away, shall he not turn back again?
5 Why have My people turned away with a shameless revolting, and strengthened themselves in their willfulness, and refused to return?
6 Hearken, I pray, and hear: will they not speak thus, There is no man that repents of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? The runner has failed from his course, as a tired horse in his neighing.
7 Even the stork in the heaven knows her time, [also] the turtledove and wild swallow; the sparrows observe the times of their coming in; but this My people knows not the judgments of the Lord.
8 How will you say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? In vain have the scribes used a false pen.
9 The wise men are ashamed, and alarmed, and taken; because they have rejected the word of the Lord; what wisdom is there in them?
10 Therefore will I give their wives to others, and their fields to [new] inheritors; and they shall gather their fruits, says the Lord.
11 [This translation omits this verse.]
12 [This translation omits this verse.]
13 There are no grapes on the vines, and there are no figs on the fig trees, and the leaves have fallen off.
14 Why do we sit still? Assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the strong cities, and let us be cast out there: for God has cast us out, and made us drink water of gall, because we have sinned before Him.
15 We assembled for peace, but there was no prosperity; for a time of healing, but there was anxiety.
16 We shall hear the neighing of His swift horses out of Dan. The whole land quaked at the sound of the neighing of His horses; and He shall come, and devour the land and the fullness of it; the city, and them that dwell in it.
17 For behold, I send forth against you deadly serpents, which cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you
18 mortally with the pain of your distressed heart.
19 Behold, [there is] a sound of the cry of the daughter of My people from a land afar off. Is not the Lord in Zion? Is there not a king there? Because they have provoked Me with their graven [images], and with strange vanities.
20 The summer is gone, the harvest is past, and we are not saved.
21 For the breach of the daughter of my people I have been saddened: in my perplexity pangs have seized upon me as of a woman in travail.
22 And is there no balm in Gilead, or is there no physician there? Why has not the healing of the daughter of my people taken place?
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.