« | Micah 7 |
1 Alas for me! For I have become as one gathering straw in harvest, and as [one gathering] grape-gleanings in the vintage, when there is no cluster for me to eat the first-ripe fruit: alas my soul!
2 For the godly has perished from the earth; and there is none upright among men: they all quarrel even to blood: they grievously afflict everyone his neighbor.
3 They prepare their hands for mischief, the prince asks a [reward], and the judge speaks flattering words; it is the desire of their soul;
4 therefore I will take away their goods as a devouring moth, and as one who acts by a [rigid] rule in a day of visitation. Woe, woe, your times of vengeance have come; now shall be their lamentations.
5 Trust not in friends, and confide not in guides: beware of your wife, so as not to commit anything to her.
6 For the son dishonors his father, the daughter will rise up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law: those in his house [shall be] all a man's enemies.
7 But I will look to the Lord; I will wait upon God my Savior: my God will hearken to me.
8 Rejoice not against me, mine enemy; for I have fallen yet shall arise; for though I should sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me.
9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He make good my cause: He also shall maintain my right, and shall bring me out to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness.
10 And she that is my enemy shall see it, and shall clothe herself with shame, who says, Where is the Lord your God? My eyes shall look upon her: now shall she be for trampling as mire in the ways.
11 [It is] the day of brick-making; that day shall be your utter destruction, and that day shall utterly abolish your ordinances.
12 And your cities shall be leveled, and parted among the Assyrians; and your strong cities shall be parted from Tyre to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.
13 And the land shall be utterly desolate together with them that inhabit it, because of the fruit of their doings.
14 Tend your people with your rod, the sheep of your inheritance, those that inhabit by themselves the thicket in the midst of Carmel: they shall feed in the land of Bashan, and in the land of Gilead, as in the days of old.
15 And according to the days of your departure out of Egypt shall you see marvelous [things].
16 The nations shall see and be ashamed; and at all their might they shall lay their hands upon their mouth, their ears shall be deafened.
17 They shall lick the dust as serpents crawling on the earth, they shall be confounded in their holes; they shall be amazed at the Lord our God, and will be afraid of you.
18 Who is a God like You, canceling iniquities, and passing over the sins of the remnant of His inheritance? And He has not kept His anger for a testimony, for He delights in mercy.
19 He will return and have mercy upon us; He will sink our iniquities, and they shall be cast into the depth of the sea, even all our sins.
20 He shall give blessings truly to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers, according to the former days.
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.