« | Matthew 11 | » |
1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished directing His twelve disciples, that He moved on from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of the Messiah, having sent two of his disciples,
3 he said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for a different [one]?"
4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John the things which you hear and see:
5 The blind receive sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is the [one] who is not offended because of Me."
7 Now as these men were going, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft garments are in kings' houses.
9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and far more [than] a prophet.
10 For this is he about whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'
11 "Assuredly I say to you, among [those] born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men seize it.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah, the [one] who is about to come.
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
16 But to what shall I compare this generation? It is similar to children who sit in the marketplaces and call to their playmates,
17 and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not lament.'
18 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' And so wisdom is justified by her children."
20 Then He began to reproach the cities in which His very many miracles had been done, because they did not repent:
21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! Because if the miracles which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum, the [one] having been exalted to heaven, you will be brought down to Hades; because if the miracles which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
24 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes.
26 Yes, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone fully know the Father except the Son, and [the one] to whom the Son wills to reveal [Him].
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
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.