« | Revelation 22 |
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the middle of its street, and on both sides of the river [was the] tree of life, producing twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree [are] for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants will minister to Him.
4 And they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
5 And night shall not exist. and there [shall] not [be a] need of a lamp and of light, because the Lord God shall illuminate them. And they shall reign forever and ever.
6 Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And [the] Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must happen quickly.
7 Behold, I am coming swiftly! Blessed is he that keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
8 And I, John, [am] the [one] hearing and seeing these things. And when I heard and when I saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel showing to me these things.
9 Then he said to me, "See [that you do] not! For I am your fellow servant, and I am of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."
10 And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
11 He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still; and the filthy, let him be filthy still; and the righteous, let him do righteousness still; and the holy, let him be sanctified still."
12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to each one according to his work.
13 I [am] the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, so that their right shall be to the tree of life, and they may enter by the gates into the city.
15 But outside are dogs and drug users and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices a lie.
16 I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Stock of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. The [one] who desires, let him take [the] water of life freely.
18 I testify to everyone hearing the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues having been written in this book.
19 And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of Life, and from the holy city, [and from] the things having been written in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Yes, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ [be] with all the saints. Amen.
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.