« | Job 8 | » |
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered, and said,
2 How long will you speak these things, [how long shall] the breath of your mouth be abundant in words?
3 Will the Lord be unjust when He judges; or will He that has made all things pervert justice?
4 If your sons have sinned before Him, He has cast them away because of their transgression.
5 But you be early in prayer to the Lord Almighty.
6 If you are pure and true, He will listen to your supplication, and will restore to you the habitation of righteousness.
7 Though then your beginning should be small, yet your end should be unspeakably great.
8 For ask of the former generation, and search diligently among the race of our fathers:
9 (for we are of yesterday, and know nothing; for our life upon the earth is a shadow:)
10 shall not these teach you, and report [to you], and bring out words from [their] heart?
11 Does the rush flourish without water, or shall the flag grow up without moisture?
12 When it is yet on the root, and [though] it has not been cut down, does not any herb wither before it has received moisture?
13 Thus then shall be the end of all that forget the Lord: for the hope of the ungodly shall perish.
14 For his house shall be without inhabitants, and his tent shall prove a spider's web.
15 If he should prop up his house, it shall not stand: and when he has taken hold of it, it shall not remain.
16 For it is moist under the sun, and his branch shall come forth out of his dung heap.
17 He lies down upon a gathering of stones, and shall live in the mist of flints.
18 If [God] should destroy him, his place shall deny him. Have you not seen such things,
19 that such is the overthrow of the ungodly? And out of the earth another shall grow.
20 For the Lord will by no means reject the harmless man; but He will not receive any gift of the ungodly.
21 But He will fill with laughter the mouth of the sincere, and their lips with thanksgiving.
22 But their adversaries shall clothe themselves with shame; and the habitation of the ungodly shall perish.
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.