« | Psalm 31 | » |
1 For the end, A Psalm of David, [an utterance] of extreme fear. O Lord, I have hoped in You; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness and rescue me.
2 Incline Your ear to me; make haste to rescue me; be to me my protecting God, and a fortress of defense to save me.
3 For You are my strength and my refuge; and You shall guide me for Your name's sake, and maintain me.
4 You shall bring me out of the snare which they have hidden for me; for You, O Lord, are my defender.
5 Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
6 You have hated them that idly persist in vanities; but I have hoped in the Lord.
7 I will exalt and be glad in Your mercy; for You have looked upon my affliction; You have saved my soul from distresses.
8 And You have not shut me up into the hands of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.
9 Pity me, O Lord, for I am afflicted; my eye is troubled with indignation, my soul and my belly.
10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with groanings; my strength has been weakened through poverty, and my bones are troubled.
11 I became a reproach among all my enemies, but exceedingly so to my neighbors, and a fear to my acquaintance; they that saw me outside fled from me.
12 I have been forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I have become as a broken vessel.
13 For I heard the slander of many that dwelt round about; when they were gathered together against me, they took counsel to take my life.
14 But I hoped in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God.
15 My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
16 and from them that persecute me. Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; save me in Your mercy.
17 O Lord, let me not be ashamed, for I have called upon You; let the ungodly be ashamed, and brought down to Hades.
18 Let the deceitful lips become dumb, which speak iniquity against the righteous with pride and scorn.
19 How abundant is the multitude of Your goodness, O Lord, which You have laid up for them that fear You! You have wrought [it] out for them that hope on You, in the presence of the sons of men.
20 You will hide them in the secret of Your presence from the vexation of man; You will screen them in a tabernacle from the contradiction of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord, for He has magnified His mercy in a fortified city.
22 But I said in my extreme fear, I am cast out from the sight of Your eyes; therefore You listened, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication when I cried to You.
23 Love the Lord, all you His saints; for the Lord seeks [those that are] truthful, and He recompenses them that deal very proudly.
24 Be of good courage, and let your heart be strengthened, all you that hope in 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.