Malachi 1 | » |
1 The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by the hand of his messenger. Take this to heart, I pray.
2 I have loved you, says the Lord. And you said, How have You loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? Says the Lord: yet I loved Jacob,
3 and hated Esau and laid waste his borders, and made his heritage as dwellings of the wilderness?
4 Because one will say, Edom has been overthrown, but let us return and rebuild the desolate places; thus says the Lord Almighty, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall be called The borders of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord has set Himself forever.
5 And your eyes shall see, and you shall say, The Lord has been magnified upon the borders of Israel.
6 A son honors [his] father, and a servant his master: if then I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My fear? Says the Lord Almighty. You the priests are they that despise My name: yet you said, In what way have we despised Your name?
7 In that you bring to My altar polluted bread; and you said, In what way have we polluted it? In that you say, The table of the Lord is polluted, and that which was set on it you have despised.
8 For if you bring a blind [victim] for sacrifices, is it not evil? And if you bring the lame or the sick, [is it] not evil? Offer it now to your ruler, and see if he will receive you, if he will accept your person, says the Lord Almighty.
9 And now entreat the face of your God, and make supplication to Him. These things have been done by your hands; shall I accept you? Says the Lord Almighty.
10 Because even among you the doors shall be shut, and one will not kindle [the fire of] My altar for nothing, I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord Almighty, and I will not accept a sacrifice at your hands.
11 For from the rising of the sun, even to the going down thereof, My name has been glorified among the Gentiles; and in every place incense is offered to My name, and a pure offering: for My name is great among the Gentiles, says the Lord Almighty.
12 But you profane it, in that you say, The table of the Lord is polluted, and His foods set on it are despised.
13 And you said, These [services] are troublesome: therefore I have utterly rejected them with scorn, says the Lord Almighty: and you brought in torn victims, and lame, and sick: if then you should bring an offering, shall I accept them at your hands? Says the Lord Almighty.
14 And cursed is [the man] who had the power, and possessed a male in his flock, and whose vow is upon him, and who sacrifices a corrupt thing to the Lord: for I am a great King, says the Lord Almighty, and My name is glorious among the nations.
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.