Joel 1 | » |
1 The word of the Lord which came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
2 Hear these [words], you elders, and hear, you that inhabit the land. Have such things happened in your days, or in the days of your fathers?
3 Tell your children concerning them, and [let] your children [tell] their children, and their children another generation.
4 The leavings of the caterpillar has the locust eaten, and the leavings of the locust has the palmerworm eaten, and the leavings of the palmerworm has the cankerworm eaten.
5 Awake, you drunkards, from your wine, and weep: mourn, all you that drink wine to drunkenness: for joy and gladness are removed from your mouth.
6 For a strong and innumerable nation has come up against My land, their teeth are [like] lion's teeth, and their back teeth [as] those of a [lion's] whelp.
7 He has ruined My vine, and utterly broken My fig trees: he has utterly searched [My vine], and cast it down; he has peeled its branches.
8 Lament to Me more than a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.
9 The grain offering and drink offering are removed from the house of the Lord: mourn, you priests that serve at the altar of the Lord.
10 For the plains languish: let the land mourn, for the grain languishes; the wine is dried up, the oil becomes scarce;
11 the farmers are consumed: mourn your property on account of the wheat and barley; for the harvest has perished from off the field.
12 The vine is dried up, and the fig trees have become few; the pomegranate, and palm tree, and apple, and all the trees of the field have dried up: for the sons of men have abolished joy.
13 Gird yourselves [with sackcloth], and lament, you priests: mourn, you that serve at the altar: go in, sleep in sackcloth, you that minister to God: for the grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God.
14 Sanctify a fast, proclaim a solemn service, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of your God, and cry earnestly to the Lord,
15 Alas, Alas, Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is near, and it will come as trouble upon trouble.
16 [Your] food has been destroyed before your eyes, joy and gladness from out of the house of your God.
17 The heifers have started at their mangers, the treasures are abolished, the wine presses are broken down; for the grain is withered.
18 What shall we store up for ourselves? The herds of cattle have mourned, because they had no pasture; and the flocks of sheep have been utterly destroyed.
19 To You, O Lord, will I cry; for fire has devoured the fair places of the wilderness, and a flame has burnt up all the trees of the field.
20 And the cattle of the field have looked up to You; for the fountains of waters have been dried up, and fire has devoured the fair places of the wilderness.
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.