« | Joshua 23 | » |
1 And it came to pass after many days after the Lord had given Israel rest from all his enemies round about, that Joshua was old and advanced in years.
2 And Joshua called together all the children of Israel, and their elders, and their chiefs, and their judges, and their officers, and said to them, I am old and advanced in years.
3 And you have seen all that the Lord our God has done to all these nations before us; [for it] is the Lord your God who has fought for you.
4 See, that I have given to you these nations that are left to you by lots to your tribes, all the nations beginning at the Jordan; and [some] I have destroyed; and the boundaries shall be at the Great Sea westward.
5 And the Lord our God, He shall destroy them before us, until they utterly perish; and He shall send against them the wild beasts, until He has utterly destroyed them and their kings from before you; and you shall inherit their land, as the Lord our God said to you.
6 Therefore strive diligently to observe and do all things written in the Book of the Law of Moses, that you turn not to the right hand or to the left;
7 that you go not in among these nations that are left; and the names of their gods shall not be named among you, neither shall you serve them, neither shall you bow down to them.
8 But you shall cleave to the Lord our God, as you have done until this day.
9 And the Lord shall destroy them before you, [even] great and strong nations; and no one has stood before us until this day.
10 One of you has chased a thousand, for the Lord our God, He fought for you, as He said to us.
11 And take great heed to love the Lord our God.
12 For if you shall turn aside and attach yourselves to these nations that are left with you, and make marriages with them, and become mingled with them and they with you,
13 know that the Lord will no more destroy these nations from before you; and they will be to you snares and stumbling blocks, and nails in your heels, and darts in your eyes, until you are destroyed from off this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.
14 But I hasten to go the way [of death], as all that are upon the earth also [do.] And you know in your heart and in your soul, that not one word has fallen [to the ground] of all the words which the Lord our God has spoken respecting all that concerns us; there has not one of them failed.
15 And it shall come to pass, that as all the good things have come upon us which the Lord God [promised you, so shall] He bring upon you all the evil things, until He has destroyed you from off this good land, which the Lord has given you,
16 when you transgress the covenant of the Lord our God, which He has commanded us, and go and serve other gods, and bow down to them.
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.