« | Psalm 40 | » |
1 For the end, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the Lord; and He attended to me, and hearkened to my supplication.
2 And He brought me up out of a pit of misery, and from miry clay; and He set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.
3 And He put a new song into my mouth, [even] a hymn to our God; many shall see [it] and fear, and shall hope in the Lord.
4 Blessed [is] the man whose hope is in the name of the Lord, and [who] has not regarded vanities, nor turned aside to lies.
5 O Lord my God, You have multiplied Your wonderful works, and in Your thoughts there is none who shall be likened to You; I declared and spoke [of them]; they exceeded in number.
6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; but a body You have prepared for me; whole burnt offering and [sacrifice] for sin You did not require.
7 Then I said, Behold, I have come; in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I desired to do Your will, O my God, and Your law in the midst of my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo! I will not refrain my lips; O Lord, You know my righteousness.
10 I have not hid Your truth within my heart, and I have declared Your salvation; I have not hid Your mercy and Your truth from the great congregation.
11 But You, O Lord, remove not Your compassion far from me; Your mercy and Your truth have helped me continually.
12 For innumerable evils have encompassed me; my transgressions have taken hold of me, and I could not see; they are multiplied more than the hairs of my head; and my heart has failed me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, draw near to help me.
14 Let those that seek my soul, to destroy it, be ashamed and confounded together; let those that wish me evil be turned backward and put to shame.
15 Let those that say to me, Aha, aha, quickly receive shame for their reward.
16 Let all those that seek You, O Lord, exalt and rejoice in You; and let them that love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified!
17 But I am poor and needy; the Lord will take care of me; You are my helper, and my defender, O my God; do not delay.
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.