« | Micah 4 | » |
1 And at the last days the mountain of the Lord shall be manifest, established on the tops of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and the peoples shall hasten to it.
2 And many nations shall go, and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and they shall show us His way, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth a law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3 And He shall judge among many peoples, and shall rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plow shares, and their spears into sickles; and nation shall no more lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn to war any more.
4 And everyone shall rest under his vine, and everyone under his fig tree; and no one shall alarm them: for the mouth of the Lord Almighty has spoken these [words].
5 For all other nations shall walk everyone in his own way, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.
6 In that day, says the Lord, I will gather her that is bruised, and will receive her that is cast out, and those whom I rejected.
7 And I will make her that was bruised a remnant, and her that was rejected a mighty nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever.
8 And you, dark tower of the flock, daughter of Zion, on you the dominion shall come and enter in, even the first kingdom from Babylon to the daughter of Jerusalem.
9 And now, why have you known calamities? Is there no king in you? Or has your counsel perished that pangs as of a woman in labor have seized upon you?
10 Be in pain, and strengthen yourself, and draw near, O daughter of Zion, as a woman in labor: for now you shall go forth out of the city, and you shall dwell in the plain, and you shall reach even to Babylon: there shall the Lord your God deliver you, and there shall He redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.
11 And now have many nations gathered against you, saying, We will rejoice, and our eyes shall look upon Zion.
12 But they know not the thought of the Lord, and have not understood His counsel: for He has gathered them as sheaves of the floor.
13 Arise, and thresh them, O daughter of Zion: for I will make your horns iron, and I will make your hoofs brass: and you shall utterly destroy many nations, and shall consecrate their abundance to the Lord, and their strength to the Lord of all the earth.
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.