« | Job 28 | » |
1 For there is a place for the silver, where it comes, and a place for the gold, where it is refined.
2 For iron comes out of the earth, and brass is hewn out like stone.
3 He has set a bound to darkness, and he searches out every limit: a stone is darkness, and the shadow of death.
4 There is a cutting off the torrent by reason of dust, so they that forget the right way are weakened; they are removed from among men.
5 [As for] the earth, out of it shall come bread; under it has been turned up as it were fire.
6 Her stones are the place of the sapphire, and her dust supplies man with gold.
7 [There] is a path, the fowl has not known it, neither has the eye of the vulture seen it.
8 Neither have the sons of the proud trodden it, a lion has not passed upon it.
9 He has stretched forth his hand on the sharp [rock], and turned up mountains by the roots;
10 and he has interrupted the whirlpools of rivers, and my eye has seen every precious thing.
11 And he has laid bare the depths of rivers, and has brought his power to light.
12 But where has wisdom been discovered? And where is the place of understanding?
13 A mortal has not known its way, neither indeed has it been discovered among men.
14 The depth said, It is not in me, and the sea said, It is not with me.
15 One shall not give fine gold instead of it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it.
16 Neither shall it be compared with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx and sapphire.
17 Gold and crystal shall not be equaled to it, neither shall vessels of gold be its exchange.
18 Coral and fine pearl shall not be mentioned, but do you esteem wisdom above the most precious things.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not be equaled to it; it shall not be compared with pure gold.
20 Where then is wisdom found? And of what kind is the place of understanding?
21 It has escaped the notice of every man, and has been hidden from the birds of the sky.
22 Destruction and Death said, We have heard the report of it.
23 God has well ordered the way of it, and He knows the place of it.
24 For He surveys the whole [earth] under heaven, knowing the things in the earth;
25 all that He has made; the weight of the winds, the measures of the water.
26 When He made [them], thus He saw and numbered them, and made a way for the pealing of the thunder.
27 Then He saw it, and declared it: He prepared it, and traced it out.
28 And He said to man, Behold, godliness is wisdom: and to abstain from evil is understanding.
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.