« | Revelation 16 | » |
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth."
2 So the first went off and poured out his bowl on the earth, and a bad and malignant ulcer came upon the men having the mark of the beast, and those who worshipped his image.
3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.
4 Then the third [one] poured out his bowl into the rivers and into the springs of water, and it became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, the One who is, and who was, holy, because You have judged these things.
6 Because they shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You gave them blood to drink. They deserve it."
7 And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous [are] Your judgments."
8 Then the fourth [one] poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was granted to him to burn men with fire.
9 And men were burned with severe burns, and men blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent to give Him glory.
10 Then the fifth [one] poured out his bowl on the throne of the Beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues from the pain.
11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their ulcers, and they did not repent of their works.
12 Then the sixth [one] poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [coming] out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the Beast, and out of the mouth of the False Prophet.
14 For they are spirits of demons performing signs, which go forth to the kings of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and guards his garments, lest he should walk naked and they should see his shame."
16 And he gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It has been done!"
18 And there were lightnings and thunders, and noises; and there was a great earthquake, such as had not occurred since men came into being on the earth, so great an earthquake, so great!
19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the rage of His wrath.
20 Then every island fled, and the mountains were not found.
21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, [each hailstone] weighing a talent. And men blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, since this plague was exceedingly severe.
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.