« | Proverbs 21 | » |
1 As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: He turns it wherever He wishes.
2 Every man seems to himself righteous, but the Lord directs the hearts.
3 To do justly and to speak truth are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.
4 A high-minded man is stout-hearted in his pride, and the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 [This translation omits this verse.]
6 He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on the snares of death.
7 Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly, for they refuse to do justly.
8 To the crooked, God sends crooked ways, but [as for] the pure, his work is right.
9 [It is] better to dwell in a corner on the housetop, than in plastered rooms with unrighteousness, and in an open house.
10 The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.
11 When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser, and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.
12 A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly, and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
13 He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear [him].
14 A secret gift calms anger, but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.
15 [It is] the joy of the righteous to do judgment, but a holy man is abominable with evildoers.
16 A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness shall rest in the congregation of giants.
17 A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;
18 and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.
19 [It is] better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.
20 A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise, but foolish men will swallow it up.
21 The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.
22 A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.
23 He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
24 A bold and self-willed and insolent man is called a pest, and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.
25 Desires kill the sluggard, for his hands do not choose to do anything.
26 An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day, but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.
27 The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.
28 A false witness shall perish, but an obedient man will speak cautiously.
29 An ungodly man hardens his face, but the upright man himself understands his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.
31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but help is of the Lord.
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.