« | Psalm 55 | » |
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
3 because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they persecute me.
4 My heart is greatly pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah.
8 I would hasten myself to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.
9 Destroy, O LORD, divide their tongue, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it, upon the walls of it. Iniquity and mischief also are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst of it. Oppression and deceit depart not from its streets.
12 For it was not an enemy who reproached me. Then I could have borne it. Neither was it he who hated me that magnified himself against me. Then I would have hid myself from him.
13 But it was thou, a man my equal, my companion, and my familiar friend.
14 We took sweet counsel together. We walked in the house of God with the throng.
15 Let death come suddenly upon them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God, and LORD will save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noonday, I will complain and moan. And he will hear my voice.
18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many by me.
19 God will hear, and respond to them, (even he who abides of old), Selah, men who have no changes, and who fear not God.
20 He has put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him. He has profaned his covenant.
21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22 (Cast thy burden upon LORD, and he will sustain thee. He will never allow the righteous man to be moved.)
23 But thou, O God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in thee.
A Conservative Version (ACV)
A Conservative Version (ACV) of the Bible is a translation that aims to provide a conservative and literal interpretation of the biblical texts. Developed with a focus on maintaining fidelity to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts, the ACV emphasizes a word-for-word translation methodology. The goal is to preserve the subtleties and nuances of the original languages as accurately as possible. This approach results in a version of the Bible that seeks to remain true to the text's original meaning and context, appealing to readers who prioritize precision and doctrinal integrity.
The text of the Old Testament for A Conservative Version (ACV) came from the American Standard Version published in 1901. The main changes done for the ACV were the replacement of archaic words with more modern ones, except for the old English pronouns, which were kept because they are more communicative. The New Testament was translated from, The New Testament in the Original Greek According to the Byzantine-Majority Text form. That edition was compiled by Maurice A. Robinson and William G. Pierpont, and is of the Textus Receptus tradition from which came the King James Version.
The ACV was created in response to what its translators saw as a trend toward more liberal or dynamic-equivalence translations that prioritize readability over literal accuracy. The translators aimed to produce a text that adheres closely to the original languages, even if this makes the translation more challenging for contemporary readers. This reflects their belief in the importance of preserving the exact words and phrases used in the original scriptures. The ACV also employs traditional theological terminology and phrasing, avoiding modern slang and colloquial expressions in favor of language that conveys the gravity and solemnity of the biblical message.
While the ACV has found appreciation among conservative circles, it has faced criticism for its perceived rigidity and difficulty. Critics argue that its strict adherence to a word-for-word translation can make the text less readable and accessible, potentially alienating readers unfamiliar with the original languages or who prefer a more fluid translation. Despite these criticisms, the ACV remains a valued translation for those who prioritize a conservative and literal approach to Bible interpretation, supporting their doctrinal views with a text they believe closely reflects the original scriptures.