« | Proverbs 8 | » |
1 You shall proclaim wisdom, that understanding may be obedient to you.
2 For she is on lofty heights, and stands in the midst of the ways.
3 For she sits by the gates of princes, and sings in the entrances, [saying],
4 You, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men.
5 O you simple, understand prudence, and you that are untaught, take in knowledge.
6 Listen to me, for I will speak solemn [truths]; and I will produce right [sayings] from my lips.
7 For my mouth shall meditate truth, and false lips are an abomination before me.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse.
9 They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge.
10 Receive instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than precious stones; and no valuable substance is of equal worth with it.
12 I, wisdom, have dwelt [with] counsel and knowledge, and I have called upon understanding.
13 The fear of the Lord hates unrighteousness, insolence, pride, and the ways of wicked men; and I hate the perverse ways of bad men.
14 Counsel and safety are mine; prudence is mine, and strength is mine.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me nobles become great, and monarchs by me rule over the earth.
17 I love those that love me, and they that seek me shall find me.
18 Wealth and glory belong to me; yea, abundant possessions and righteousness.
19 [It is] better to have my fruit than [to have] gold and precious stones; and my produce is better than choice silver.
20 I walk in ways of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment;
21 that I may divide substance to them that love me, and may fill their treasures with good things. [ 8:21A] If I declare to you the things that happen daily, I will remember also to recount the things of old.
22 The Lord made me the beginning of His ways for His works.
23 He established me in the beginning, before time was, before He made the earth.
24 Even before He made the depths, before the fountains of water came forth;
25 before the mountains were settled, and before all hills, He begot me.
26 The Lord made countries and uninhabited [lands], and the highest inhabited parts of the world.
27 When He prepared the heaven, I was present with Him; and when He prepared His throne upon the winds;
28 and when He strengthened the clouds above, and when He secured the fountains of the earth;
29 and when He strengthened the foundations of the earth;
30 I was by Him, suiting myself to Him, I was that in which He took delight; and daily I rejoiced in His presence continually.
31 For He rejoiced when He had completed the world, and rejoiced among the children of men.
32 Now then, [my] son, hear me: blessed is the man who shall listen to me, and the mortal who shall keep my ways;
33 [This translation omits this verse.]
34 watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my entrances.
35 For my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and [in them] is prepared favor from the Lord.
36 But they that sin against me act wickedly against their own souls, and they that hate me love death.
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.