« | Mark 8 | » |
1 In those days, when a great crowd had gathered, and not having anything to eat, Jesus, having summoned His disciples and said to them,
2 I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been remaining with Me three days and have nothing to eat.
3 And if I dismiss them hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from a distance."
4 Then His disciples answered Him, "From where will anyone be able to satisfy these [people] with bread here in this deserted place?"
5 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven."
6 So He commanded the crowd to recline on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and having given thanks, He broke [them] and was giving [them] to His disciples, so that they might set [them] before [the people]; and they set them before the crowd.
7 And they had a few small fish; and having blessed [them], He said to set them before [the people].
8 So they ate and were filled, and they took up an abundance of fragments, seven hampers [full].
9 Now those having eaten were about four thousand. And He dismissed them.
10 And immediately stepping into the boat with His disciples, He came to the region of Dalmanutha.
11 Then the Pharisees came out and began to question Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him.
12 And sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation."
13 And having dismissed them, and stepping into the boat again, He went away to the other side.
14 And they forgot to take bread, and except [for] one loaf, they did not have [any] with themselves in the boat.
15 Then He charged them, saying, "Look out, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
16 And they were reasoning among themselves, saying, " because we have no bread."
17 But Jesus, knowing about it, said to them, "Why are you reasoning because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Is your heart still hardened?
18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?
19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve."
20 "And when [I broke] the seven for the four thousand, how many hampers full of fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven."
21 So He said to them, "How [is it] you do not understand?"
22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him.
23 And having taken the hand of the blind [man], He led him outside the village, and having spit on his eyes, and having laid His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.
24 And when he looked up he said, "I see men like trees, walking."
25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him to look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly again.
26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the village, nor tell anyone in the village."
27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He was questioning His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men pronounce Me to be?"
28 So they answered, "John the Baptist; and others [say], Elijah; but others, one of the prophets."
29 He said to them, "But who do you pronounce Me to be?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."
30 Then He warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
31 And He began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things, and to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be killed, and after three days to rise.
32 He was speaking this word with boldness. And Peter, taking Him aside, began to rebuke Him.
33 But when He had turned and saw His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
34 And having summoned the crowd together with His disciples, He said to them, "Whoever is willing to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's, will save it.
36 For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul?
37 Or what shall a man give [as] an equivalent for his soul?
38 For whosoever is ashamed of Me and My words among this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him, whenever He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
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.