« | Matthew 20 | » |
1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a certain landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
2 And having agreed with the workers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
4 And said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever may be right I will give you.' So they went.
5 Again going out about the sixth and the ninth hour, he did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour, going out he found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?'
7 "They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you shall receive.'
8 "So when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.'
9 "And when those came [who were hired] about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they also received each a denarius.
11 And when they had received it, they began grumbling against the landowner,
12 saying, 'These last [men] have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.'
13 "But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am not wronging you. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14 Take what is yours and go. But I want to give to this last [man] the same as to you.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own [things]? Or is your eye evil because I am good?'
16 "Thus the last shall be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few [are] chosen."
17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took aside the twelve disciples privately on the road, and He said to them,
18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death,
19 and they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He shall rise again."
20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, worshipping [Him], and asking something from Him.
21 And He said to her, "What do you desire?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and one on Your left, in Your kingdom."
22 But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup which I am about to drink, or to be baptized [with] the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able."
23 So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism [with] which I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is to [those] for whom it has been prepared by My Father."
24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers.
25 But Jesus, having summoned them, said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, shall be your servant.
27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave;
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life [as] a ransom for many."
29 Now as they went out from Jericho, a great crowd followed Him.
30 And behold, two blind men sitting alongside the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have pity on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
31 But the crowd warned them that they should be silent; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have pity on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
32 And having stood still, Jesus called them, and said, "What do you desire [that] I should do for you?"
33 They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."
34 And Jesus, having compassion, touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
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.