« | Psalm 102 | » |
1 A Prayer for the Poor; when he is deeply afflicted, and pours out his supplication before the Lord. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You.
2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; incline Your ear to me; in the day [when] I shall call upon You, speedily hear me.
3 For my days have vanished like smoke, and my bones have been parched like a stick.
4 I am blighted like grass, and my heart is dried up; for I have forgotten to eat my bread.
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones has cleaved to my flesh.
6 I have become like a pelican of the wilderness;
7 I have become like an owl in a ruined house. I have watched, and have become as a sparrow dwelling alone on a roof.
8 All the day long my enemies have reproached me; and they that praised me have sworn against me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping;
10 because of Your anger and Your wrath; for You have lifted me up, and dashed me down.
11 My days have declined like a shadow; and I am withered like grass.
12 But You, O Lord, endure forever, and Your memorial from generation to generation.
13 You shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion; for [it is] time to have mercy upon her, for the appointed time has come.
14 For Your servants have taken pleasure in her stones, and they shall pity her dust.
15 So the nations shall fear Your name, O Lord, and all kings Your glory.
16 For the Lord shall build up Zion, and shall appear in His glory.
17 He has had regard to the prayer of the lowly, and has not despised their petition.
18 Let this be written for another generation; and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord.
19 For He has looked out from the height of His sanctuary; the Lord looked upon the earth from heaven;
20 to hear the groaning of the fettered ones, to loosen the sons of the slain;
21 to proclaim the name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem;
22 when the people have gathered together, and the kings, to serve the Lord.
23 He answered him in the way of His strength; tell me the fewness of my days.
24 Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years [are] through all generations.
25 In the beginning You, O Lord, laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Your hands.
26 They shall perish, but You remain; and [they all] shall grow old like a garment; and as a vesture shall You fold them, and they shall be changed.
27 But You are the same, and Your years shall not fail.
28 The children of Your servants shall dwell [securely], and their seed shall prosper forever.
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.