« | Job 30 | » |
1 But now the youngest have laughed me to scorn; now they reprove me in their turn, whose fathers I set at nought; whom I did not deem worthy [to be with] my shepherd dogs.
2 Yea, why did I have the strength of their hands? For them the full term [of life] was lost.
3 [One is] childless from want and famine, [such as] they that fled but lately the distress and misery of drought.
4 Who compass the salty places on the sounding [shore], who had salt [herbs] for their food, and were dishonorable and of no repute, in need of every good thing; who also ate roots of trees by reason of great hunger.
5 Thieves have risen up against me,
6 whose houses were the caves of the rocks, who lived under the wild shrubs.
7 They will cry out among the rustling [bushes].
8 [They are] sons of fools and vile men, [whose] name and glory [are] quenched from off the earth.
9 But now I am their music, and they have me for a byword.
10 And they stood aloof and abhorred me, and spared not to spit in my face.
11 For He has opened His quiver and afflicted me: they also have cast off the restraint of my presence.
12 They have risen up against me on the right hand of their offspring; they have stretched out their foot, and directed against me the ways of their destruction.
13 My paths are ruined, for they have stripped off my raiment: He has shot at me with His weapons.
14 And He has pleaded against me as He wills- I am overwhelmed with pains.
15 My pains return upon me; my hope is gone like the wind, and my safety as a cloud.
16 Even now my life shall be poured forth upon me, and days of anguish seize me.
17 And by night my bones are confounded; and my sinews are relaxed.
18 With great force [my disease] has taken hold of my garment- it has compassed me as the collar of my coat.
19 And You have counted me as clay; my portion in dust and ashes.
20 And I have cried to You, but You do not hear me: but they stood still, and observed me.
21 They attacked me also without mercy: You have scourged me with a strong hand.
22 And You have put me to grief, and have cast me away from safety.
23 For I know that death will destroy me: for the earth is the house [appointed] for every mortal.
24 Oh, that I might lay hands upon myself, or at least ask another, and he should do this for me!
25 Yet I wept over every helpless man; I groaned when I saw a man in distress.
26 But I, when I waited for good things, behold, days of evils came upon me all the more.
27 My belly boiled, and would not cease- the days of poverty prevented me.
28 I went mourning without restraint, and I have stood and cried out in the assembly.
29 I have become a brother of monsters, and a companion of ostriches.
30 And my skin has been greatly blackened, and my bones are burned with heat.
31 My harp also has been turned into mourning, and my song into my weeping.
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.