Ruth 1 | » |
1 And it came to pass [in the days] when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a man went from Bethlehem, Judah to sojourn in the land of Moab- he, his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the man's name [was] Elimelech, and his wife's name [was] Naomi, and the names of his two sons [were] Mahlon and Chilion- Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they came to the land of Moab, and remained there.
3 And Elimelech, Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took to themselves wives, women of Moab; the name of the one [was] Orpah, and the name of the second [was] Ruth; and they dwelt there about ten years.
5 And both Mahlon and Chilion died also; and the woman survived her husband and her two sons.
6 And she rose up, and her two daughters-in-law, and they returned out of the country of Moab, for she heard in the country of Moab that the Lord [had] visited His people to give them bread.
7 And she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went by the way to return to the land of Judah.
8 And Naomi said to her daughters-in-law, Go now, return each to the house of her mother: the Lord deal mercifully with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The Lord grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. And she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10 And they said to her, We will return with you to your people.
11 And Naomi said, Return now, my daughters; and why do you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb to be your husbands?
12 Turn now, my daughters, for I am too old to be married: for I said, Suppose I were married, and should bear sons;
13 would you wait for them till they should be grown? Or would you refrain from being married for their sakes? Not so, my daughters, for I am grieved for you, that the hand of the Lord has gone forth against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and returned to her people; but Ruth followed her.
15 And Naomi said to Ruth, Behold, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and to her gods; turn now also after your sister-in-law.
16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following you; for wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people [shall be] my people, and your God my God.
17 And wherever you die, I will die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, [if I leave you], for death [only] shall divide between me and you.
18 And Naomi, seeing that she was determined to go with her, ceased to speak to her anymore.
19 Now they both went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they arrived at Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
20 And she said to them, No, do not call me Naomi; call me 'Bitter,' for the Mighty One has dealt very bitterly with me.
21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. And why do you call me Naomi, seeing the Lord has humbled me and the Mighty One has afflicted me?
22 So Naomi and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, returned from the country of Moab; and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
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.
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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.