« | Job 22 | » |
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2 Is it not the Lord that teaches understanding and knowledge?
3 For what does it matter to the Lord, if you were blameless in your works? Or is it profitable that you should perfect your way?
4 Will you maintain and plead your own cause? And will He enter into judgment with you?
5 Is not your wickedness abundant, and your sins innumerable?
6 And you have taken [the] security of your brethren for nothing, and have taken away the clothing of the naked.
7 Neither have you given water to the thirsty to drink, but have taken away the morsel of the hungry.
8 And you have accepted the persons of some; and you have established those [that were already settled] on the earth.
9 But you have sent widows away empty, and have afflicted orphans.
10 Therefore snares have surrounded you, and disastrous war has troubled you.
11 The light has proved darkness to you, and water has covered you on your lying down.
12 Does not He that dwells in the high places observe? And has He not brought down the proud?
13 And you have said, What does the Mighty One know? Does He judge in the dark?
14 A cloud is His hiding place, and He shall not be seen; and He passes through the circle of heaven.
15 Will you not mark the old way, which righteous men have trodden?
16 Who were seized before their time- their foundations are as an overflowing stream.
17 Who say, What will the Lord do to us? Or what will the Almighty bring upon us?
18 Yet He filled their houses with good things, but the counsel for the wicked is far from Him.
19 The righteous have seen it, and laughed, and the blameless one has derided them.
20 Verily their substance has been utterly destroyed, and the fire shall devour what is left of their [property].
21 Be firm, I pray, if you can endure; then your fruit shall prosper.
22 And receive a declaration from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.
23 And if you shall turn and humble yourself before the Lord, you have thus removed unrighteousness far from your habitation.
24 You shall lay up for yourself [treasure] in a heap on the rock; and Ophir [shall be] as the rock of the torrent.
25 So the Almighty shall be your helper from enemies, and He shall bring you forth [as] pure as silver that has been tried by fire.
26 Then shall you have boldness before the Lord, looking up cheerfully to heaven.
27 And He shall hear you when you pray to Him, and He shall grant you power to pay your vows.
28 And He shall establish to you again a habitation of righteousness, and there shall be light upon your paths.
29 Because you have humbled yourself, and you shall say, Man has behaved proudly, but He shall save him that is of lowly eyes.
30 He shall deliver the innocent, and do you save yourself by your pure hands.
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.