« | Psalm 27 | » |
1 [A Psalm] of David, before he was anointed. The Lord is my light and my Savior; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers drew near against me to eat up my flesh, my persecutors and my enemies, they fainted and fell.
3 Though an army should set itself in array against me, my heart shall not be afraid; Though war should rise up against me, in this am I confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I earnestly seek; that I should dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, that I should behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and survey His temple.
5 For in the day of my afflictions He hid me in His tabernacle; He sheltered me in the secret of His tabernacle; He set me up on a rock.
6 And now, behold, He has lifted up my head over my enemies; I went round and offered in His tabernacle the sacrifice of joy; I will sing, [I will] sing psalms unto the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, my voice which I have uttered aloud; pity me, and hearken to me.
8 My heart said to You, I have diligently sought Your face; Your face, O Lord, I will seek.
9 Turn not Your face away from me, turn not away from Your servant in anger; be my helper, forsake me not; and, O God my Savior, overlook me not.
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord has taken me to Himself.
11 Teach me, O Lord, in Your way, and guide me in a right path, because of my enemies.
12 Deliver me not over to the desire of them that afflict me; for unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and injustice has lied within herself.
13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and let your heart be strengthened; yea, wait on 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.