« | Psalm 107 | » |
1 Alleluia. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy [endures] forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say [so], whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 and gathered them out of the countries, from the east, west, north, and south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a dry land; they found no way to a city of habitation.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and He delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And He guided them into a straight path, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8 Let them acknowledge to the Lord His mercies, and His wonderful works to the children of men.
9 For He satisfies the empty soul, and fills the hungry [soul] with good things,
10 [even] them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death, fettered in poverty and irons;
11 because they rebelled against the words of God, and provoked the counsel of the Most High.
12 So their heart was brought low with troubles; they were weak, and there was no helper.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and He saved them out of their distresses.
14 And He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces.
15 Let them acknowledge to the Lord His mercies, and His wonders to the children of men.
16 For He broke to pieces the bronze gates, and crushed the iron bars.
17 He helped them out of the way of their iniquity; for they were brought low because of their iniquities.
18 Their soul abhorred all food; and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and He saved them out of their distresses.
20 He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them out of their destructions.
21 Let them acknowledge to the Lord His mercies, and His wonderful works to the children of men.
22 And let them offer to Him the sacrifice of praise, and proclaim His works with exaltation.
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, doing business in many waters;
24 these have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.
25 He speaks, and the stormy wind arises, and its waves are lifted up.
26 They go up to the heavens, and go down to the depths; their soul melts because of troubles.
27 They are troubled, they stagger as a drunkard, and all their wisdom is swallowed up.
28 Then they cry to the Lord in their affliction, and He brings them out of their distresses.
29 And He commands the storm, and it is calmed into a gentle breeze, and its waves are still.
30 And they are glad, because they are quiet; and He guides them to their desired haven.
31 Let them acknowledge to the Lord His mercies, and His wonderful works to the children of men.
32 Let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the seat of the elders.
33 He turns rivers into a desert, and streams of water into a dry land;
34 a fruitful land into saltness, for the wickedness of them that dwell in it.
35 He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and a dry land into streams of water.
36 And there He causes the hungry to dwell, and they establish for themselves cities of habitation.
37 And they sow fields, and plant vineyards, and they yield a fruitful harvest.
38 And He blesses them, and they multiply exceedingly, and He diminishes not the number of their cattle.
39 Again they become few, and are brought low, by the pressure of evils and pain.
40 Contempt is poured upon their princes, and He causes them to wander in a desert, and in a trackless land.
41 But He helps the poor out of poverty, and makes [him] families as a flock.
42 The upright shall see and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Who is wise, and will observe these things, and understand the mercies 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.