« | Matthew 16 | » |
1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing [Him], they asked Him to show them a sign out of heaven.
2 He answered and said to them, "When evening comes you say, 'Fine weather, for the sky is red'.
3 And in the morning, 'Today [will be] stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' Hypocrites! Indeed you know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.
4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And leaving them behind He went away.
5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they forgot to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said to them, "Look out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees."
7 But they were reasoning among themselves, saying, "We did not take bread."
8 But Jesus, knowing [about it], said to them, "O you of little faith, why are you reasoning among yourselves, because you did not take bread?
9 Do you not yet perceive, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took [up]?
10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many hampers you took [up]?
11 How is it you do not perceive that I did not speak to you about bread, but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?"
12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was questioning His disciples, saying, "Who do men pronounce Me, the Son of Man, to be?"
14 So they said, "Some [say] John the Baptist, but others [say] Elijah, and [yet] others [say] Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you pronounce Me to be?"
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal [this] to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I shall build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on the earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on the earth will have been loosed in heaven."
20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go off to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised the third day.
22 And taking Him aside, Peter began to rebuke Him, saying, "God be gracious to You, Lord! This shall by no means happen to You!"
23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block unto Me, because you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life on account of Me shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give [as] an exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will render to each according to his works.
28 Assuredly I say to you, there are some standing here who will by no means taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."
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.