Micah 1 | » |
1 And the word of the Lord came to Micah the son of Moresheth, in the days of Jotham, and Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, concerning what he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem.
2 Hear [these] words, you people; and let the earth give heed, and all that are in it: and the Lord God shall be among you for a testimony, the Lord out of His holy habitation.
3 For behold, the Lord comes forth out of His place, and will come down, and will go upon the high places of the earth.
4 And the mountains shall be shaken under Him, and the valleys shall melt like wax before the fire, and as water rushing down a steep place.
5 All these [calamities] are for the transgression of Jacob, and for the sin of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what is the sin of the house of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?
6 Therefore I will make Samaria as a store house of the fruits of the field, and as a planting of a vineyard: and I will utterly demolish her stones, and I will expose her foundations.
7 And they shall cut in pieces all the graven images, and all that she has hired they shall burn with fire, and I will utterly destroy all her idols: because she has gathered of the hires of fornication, and of the hires of fornication has she amassed [wealth].
8 Therefore shall she lament and wail, she shall go barefooted, and [being] naked she shall make lamentation as [that] of serpents, and mourning as of the daughters of sirens.
9 For her plague has become grievous; for it has come even to Judah; and has reached to the gate of My people, even to Jerusalem.
10 You that are in Gath, exalt not yourselves, and you Enakim, do not rebuild from [the ruins of] the house in derision: sprinkle dust [in the place of] your laughter.
11 The inhabitant of Shaphir, fairly inhabiting her cities, did not come forth to mourn for the house next to her: she shall receive of you the stroke of grief.
12 Who has begun [to act] for good to her that dwells in sorrow? For calamities have come down from the Lord upon the gates of Jerusalem,
13 even a sound of chariots and horsemen: the inhabitants of Lachish, she is the leader of sin to the daughter of Zion: for in you were found the transgressions of Israel.
14 Therefore shall he cause men to be sent forth as far as the inheritance of Gath, even vain houses; they have become vanity to the kings of Israel;
15 until they bring the heirs, O inhabitant of Lachish: the inheritance shall reach to Adullam, even the glory of the daughter of Israel.
16 Shave your hair, and make yourself bald for your delicate children; increase your widowhood as an eagle; for [your people] have gone into captivity from you.
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.