« | Job 9 | » |
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Truly I know it is so, for how shall a mortal man be righteous before the Lord?
3 For if he would enter into judgment with Him, [God] would not listen to him, so that he should answer to one of His charges of a thousand.
4 For He is wise in mind, and mighty, and great: who has hardened himself against Him and endured?
5 Who wears out the mountains, and [men] know it not: who overturns them in anger.
6 Who shakes the [earth] under heaven from its foundations, and its pillars totter.
7 Who commands the sun, and it rises not; and He seals up the stars.
8 Who alone has stretched out the heavens, and walks on the sea as on firm ground.
9 Who makes Pleias, and Hesperus, and Arcturus, and the chambers of the south.
10 Who does great and unsearchable things; glorious also and excellent things, innumerable.
11 If ever He should go beyond me, I shall not see Him: if He should pass by me, neither thus have I known it.
12 If He would take away, who shall turn Him back? Or who shall say to Him, What have You done?
13 For [if] He has turned away [His] anger, the whales under heaven have stooped under Him.
14 Oh then that He would listen to me, or judge my cause.
15 For though I am righteous, He will not listen to me: I will intreat His judgment.
16 And if I should call and He should not hear, I cannot believe that He has listened to my voice.
17 Let Him not crush me with a dark storm: but He has made my bruises many without cause.
18 For He allows me not to take breath, but He has filled me with bitterness.
19 For indeed He is strong in power: who then shall resist His judgment?
20 For though I should seem righteous, my mouth will be profane, and though I should seem blameless, I shall be proved perverse.
21 For even if I have sinned, I know it not in my soul: but my life is taken away.
22 Wherefore I said, Wrath slays the great and mighty man.
23 For the worthless die, but the righteous are laughed to scorn.
24 For they are delivered into the hands of the unrighteous man: He covers the faces of the judges [of the earth]: but if it is not He, who else could it be?
25 But my life is swifter than a post: [my days] have fled away, and they knew it not.
26 Or again, is there a trace of [their] path [left] by ships? Or is there one of the flying eagle as it seeks its prey?
27 And if I should say, I will forget to speak, I will bow down my face and groan;
28 I quake in all my limbs, for I know that You will not leave me alone as innocent.
29 But since I am ungodly, why have I not died?
30 For if I should wash myself with snow, and purge myself with pure hands,
31 You had thoroughly plunged me in filth, and my garment has abhorred me.
32 For You are not a man like me, with whom I could contend, that we might come together to judgment.
33 Would that [He] our mediator were [present], and a reprover, and one who should hear [the cause] between both.
34 Let Him remove His rod from me, and let not His fear terrify me.
35 So shall I not be afraid, but I will speak: for I am not thus conscious of guilt.
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.