« | Proverbs 5 | » |
1 [My] son, attend to my wisdom, and incline your ear to my words;
2 that you may keep good understanding, and the discretion of my lips gives you a charge. Give no heed to a worthless woman,
3 for honey drops from the lips of a harlot, who for a season pleases your palate;
4 but afterwards you will find her more bitter than gall, and sharper than a two-edged sword.
5 For the feet of folly lead those who deal with her down to the grave with death, and her steps are not established.
6 For she goes not upon the paths of life; but her ways are slippery, and not easily known.
7 Now then [my] son, hear me, and make not my words of no effect.
8 Remove your way far from her; draw not near to the doors of her house:
9 lest you give away your life to others, and your substance to the merciless;
10 lest strangers be filled with your strength, and your labors come into the houses of strangers;
11 And you repent at last, when the flesh of your body is consumed,
12 and you shall say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart avoided reproofs!
13 I heard not the voice of him that instructed me, and taught me, neither did I incline my ear.
14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15 Drink waters out of your own vessels, and out of your own springing wells.
16 Let not waters out of your fountain be spilled by you, but let your waters go into your streets.
17 Let them be yours alone, and let no stranger partake with you.
18 Let your fountain of water be [truly] your own, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.
19 Let [your] loving deer and your graceful colt company with you, and let her be considered your own, and be with you at all times, for ravished with her love you shall be greatly increased.
20 Be not intimate with a strange woman, neither fold yourself in the arms of a woman not your own.
21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of God, and He looks on all his paths.
22 Iniquities ensnare a man, and everyone is bound in the chains of his own sins.
23 Such a man dies with the uninstructed, and he is cast forth from the abundance of his own substance, and has perished through folly.
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.