« | Job 11 | » |
1 Then Zophar the Minaean answered and said,
2 He that speaks much, should also hear on the other side: or does the fluent speaker think himself to be righteous? Blessed is the short-lived offspring of woman.
3 Be not a speaker of many words, for is there none to answer you?
4 For say not, I am pure in my works, and blameless before Him.
5 But oh that the Lord would speak to you, and open His lips to you!
6 Then shall He declare to you the power of wisdom, for it shall be double of that which is with you; and then shall you know, that a just recompense of your sins has come to you from the Lord.
7 Will you find out the traces of the Lord? Or have you come to the end of that which the Almighty has made?
8 Heaven is high, and what will you do? And there are deeper things than those in hell; what do you know?
9 Or longer than the measure of the earth, or the breadth of the sea.
10 And if He should overthrow all things, who will say to Him, What have You done?
11 For He knows the works of transgressors, and when He sees wickedness, He will not overlook it.
12 But man vainly buoys himself up with words, and a mortal born of woman is like a donkey in the desert.
13 For if you have made your heart pure, and lifted up [your] hands towards Him;
14 if there is any iniquity in your hands, put if far from you, and let not unrighteousness lodge in your habitation.
15 For thus shall your countenance shine again as pure water; and you shall divest yourself of uncleanness, and shall not fear.
16 And you shall forget trouble, as a wave that has passed by; and you shall not be scared.
17 And your prayer [shall be] as the morning star, and life shall arise to you as from the noonday.
18 And you shall be confident, because you have hope, and peace shall dawn to you from out of anxiety and care.
19 For you shall be at ease, and there shall be no one to fight against you, and many shall charge, and make supplication to you.
20 But safety shall fail them, for their hope is destruction, and the eyes of the ungodly shall waste away.
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.