« | Ruth 3 | » |
1 And she lodged with her mother-in-law. And Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?
2 And now [is] not Boaz our kinsman, with whose young women you were with? Behold, he winnows barley this night in the floor.
3 But wash, and anoint yourself, and put your best clothing on, and go up to the threshing floor- do not make yourself known to the man until he has done eating and drinking.
4 And it shall come to pass when he lies down, that you shall mark the place where he lies down, and shall come and lift up the covering of his feet, and shall lie down; and he shall tell you what you shall do.
5 And Ruth said to her, All that you say, I will do.
6 And she went down to the threshing floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her.
7 And Boaz ate and drank, and his heart was glad, and he came to lie down by the side of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and lifted up the covering of his feet.
8 And it came to pass at midnight that the man was amazed, and troubled, and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9 And he said, Who are you? And she said, I am your maidservant Ruth; spread your skirt over your maidservant, for you are a close relative.
10 And Boaz said, Blessed [are] you of the Lord God, [my] daughter, for you have made your latter kindness greater than the former, in that you followed not after young men, whether [any be] poor or rich.
11 And now fear not, my daughter, whatever you shall say I will do for you; for all the tribe of my people knows that you are a virtuous woman.
12 And now I am truly a relative to you; nevertheless there is a relative closer than I.
13 Lodge [here] for the night, and it shall be in the morning, if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you- good, let him do it. But if he will not perform the duty of a close relative for you, then I will perform the relative's duty for you, [as] the Lord lives; lie down till the morning.
14 And she laid at his feet until the morning; and she rose up before a man could recognize his neighbor; and Boaz said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the threshing floor.
15 And he said to her, Bring the apron that is upon you. And she held it, and he measured six measures of barley, and put them upon her, and she went into the city.
16 And Ruth went in to her mother-in-law, and she said to her, [My] daughter! And [Ruth] told her all that the man had done for her.
17 And she said to her, He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said to me, Go not empty to your mother-in-law.
18 And she said, Sit still, [my] daughter, until you shall know how the matter will fall out; for the man will not rest until the matter is resolved this day.
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.