« | Romans 11 | » |
1 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know [what the Scripture says] in Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,
3 "LORD, they killed Your prophets and they torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life"?
4 But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
5 Even so then, at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, [it is] no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if [it is] of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained [it], and the rest were blinded.
8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day."
9 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and their back always be bowed down."
11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But by their transgression, salvation [has come] to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.
12 But if their transgression is [the] riches of the world, and their defeat is [the] riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am indeed an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry,
14 if somehow I may provoke to jealousy my fellow Jews, and I may save some of them.
15 For if their casting away means reconciliation [for the] world, what will their acceptance be, if not life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit is holy, [so] also the lump; and if the root is holy, so also the branches.
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in [among] them, and became a partaker of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree,
18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, [remember] that you do not support the root, but the root [supports] you.
19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."
20 Well [said]. By unbelief they were broken off, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear.
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps He may not spare you either.
22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God: upon those that fell, severity; but upon you, kindness, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also shall be cut off.
23 And they also, if they do not remain in unbelief, shall be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more shall these, the natural ones, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I do not desire you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer shall come out of Zion, and He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins."
28 As regards to the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sake; but as regards to election, [they are] beloved for the sake of the fathers.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now you were shown mercy through their disobedience,
31 even so these now were disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also might be shown mercy.
32 For God has shut up all to disobedience, that He might show mercy to all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable [are] His judgments and untraceable [are] His ways!
34 "For who has known [the] mind of the LORD? Or who has been His counselor?"
35 "Or who has first given to Him, and it shall be repaid to him?"
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him [are] all things; to Him be the glory forever! 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.