« | Psalm 35 | » |
1 [A Psalm] of David. Judge, O Lord, those that injure me, fight against them that fight against me.
2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and arise for my help.
3 Bring forth a sword, and stop [the way] against them that persecute me; say to my soul, I am your salvation.
4 Let them that seek my soul be ashamed and confounded; let them that devise evils against me be turned back and put to shame.
5 Let them be as dust before the wind, and an angel of the Lord afflicting them.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery, and an angel of the Lord persecuting them.
7 For without cause they have hid for me their destructive snare; without a cause they have reproached my soul.
8 Let a snare which they know not come upon them; and the net which they hid take them; and let them fall into the very same snare.
9 But my soul shall exalt in the Lord; it shall delight in His salvation.
10 All my bones shall say, O Lord, who is like You? Delivering the poor out of the hand of them that are stronger than he, yea, the poor and needy one from them that spoil him.
11 Unjust witnesses arose, and asked me of things I knew not.
12 They rewarded me evil for good, and bereavement to my soul.
13 But I, when they troubled me, put on sackcloth, and humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer shall return to my [own] bosom.
14 I behaved agreeably towards them as [if it had been] our neighbor [or] brother; I humbled myself as one mourning and sad of countenance.
15 Yet they rejoiced against me, and plagues were plentifully brought against me, and I knew [it] not; they were scattered, but repented not.
16 They tempted me, they sneered at me most contemptuously, they gnashed their teeth upon me.
17 O Lord, when will You look upon me? Deliver my soul from their mischief, my only begotten one from the lions.
18 I will give thanks to You even in a great congregation; in an abundant people I will praise You.
19 Let not them that are my enemies rejoice against me without a cause; who hate me for nothing, and wink with their eyes.
20 For to me they spoke peaceably, but imagined deceits in [their] anger.
21 And they opened wide their mouth upon me; they said Aha, aha, our eyes have seen [it].
22 You have seen [it], O Lord; keep not silence; O Lord, withdraw not [Yourself] from me.
23 Awake, O Lord, and attend to my judgment, [even] to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Judge me, O Lord, according to Your righteousness, O Lord my God; and let them not rejoice against me.
25 Let them not say in their hearts, Aha, aha, [it is pleasing] to our soul; neither let them say, We have devoured him.
26 Let them be confounded and ashamed together that rejoice at my afflictions; let them be clothed with shame and confusion that speak great swelling words against me.
27 Let them that rejoice in my righteousness exalt and be glad; and let them say continually, The Lord be magnified, who desires the peace of His servant.
28 And my tongue shall meditate on Your righteousness, [and] on Your praise all the day.
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.