« | Proverbs 30 | » |
1 These things says the man to them that trust in God; and I cease.
2 For I am the most simple of all men, and there is not in me the wisdom of men.
3 God has taught me wisdom, and I know the knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven, and come down? Who has gathered the winds in His bosom? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has dominion of all the ends of the earth? What is His name? Or what is the name of His children?
5 For all the words of God are tried in the fire, and He defends those that reverence Him.
6 Add not unto His words, lest He reprove you, and you be made a liar.
7 Two things I ask of you; take not favor from me before I die.
8 Remove vanity and falsehood far from me, and give me neither wealth nor poverty, but appoint [to] me what is needful and sufficient:
9 lest I be filled and become false, and say, Who sees me? Or be poor and steal, and swear vainly by the name of God.
10 Deliver not a servant into the hands of his master, lest he curse you, and you be utterly destroyed.
11 A wicked generation curse their father, and do not bless their mother.
12 A wicked generation judge themselves to be just, but do not cleanse their way.
13 A wicked generation have lofty eyes, and exalt themselves with their eyelids.
14 A wicked generation have swords for teeth and jaw-teeth as knives, so as to destroy and devour the lowly from the earth, and the poor of them from among men.
15 The leech had three dearly beloved daughters, and these three did not satisfy her; and the fourth was not contented so as to say, Enough.
16 The grave, and the love of a woman, and the earth not filled with water; water also and fire will not say, It is enough.
17 The eye that laughs to scorn a father, and dishonors the old age of a mother, let the ravens of the valleys pick it out, and let the young eagles devour it.
18 Moreover there are three things impossible for me to comprehend, and the fourth I know not:
19 the track of a flying eagle; and the ways of a serpent on a rock; and the paths of a ship passing through the sea; and the ways of a man in [his] youth.
20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman, who having washed herself from what she has done, says she has done nothing amiss.
21 By three things the earth is troubled, and for four it cannot bear:
22 if a servant should reign, or a fool be filled with food;
23 or if a maid-servant should cast out her own mistress, and if a hateful woman should marry a good man.
24 And there are four very little things upon the earth, but these are wiser than the wise:
25 the ants which are weak, and yet prepare their food in summer;
26 the rock hyraxes also are a feeble race, who make their houses in the rocks.
27 The locusts have no king, and yet [they] march orderly at one command.
28 And the lizard, which supports itself by its hands, and is easily taken, and dwells in the fortresses of kings.
29 And there are three things which go well, and a fourth which passes along finely:
30 A lion's whelp, stronger than all other beasts, which turns not away, nor fears any beast;
31 and a rooster walking in boldly among the hens, and the goat leading the herd; and a king publicly speaking before a nation.
32 If you abandon yourself to mirth, and stretch forth your hand in a quarrel, you shall be disgraced.
33 Churn the milk, and there shall be butter, and if you wring one's nostrils, there shall come out blood: so if you extort words, there will come forth quarrels and strife.
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.