« | Song of Solomon 6 | » |
1 [ 5:17] Where has your kinsman gone, O fairest among women? Where has your kinsman turned aside? [Tell us,] and we will seek him with you.
2 [ 6:1] My kinsman has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spice, to feed [his flock] in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
3 [ 6:2] I am my kinsman's, and my kinsman is mine, who feeds among the lilies.
4 [ 6:3] You are fair, my companion, as Pleasure, beautiful as Jerusalem, terrible as armies set in array.
5 [ 6:4] Turn away your eyes from before me, for they have ravished me: your hair is as flocks of goats which have appeared from Gilead.
6 [ 6:5] Your teeth are as flocks of shorn [sheep], that have gone up from the washing, all of them bearing twins, and there is none barren among them: your lips are as a thread of scarlet, and your speech is comely.
7 [ 6:6] Your cheek is like the rind of a pomegranate, [being seen] without your veil.
8 [ 6:7] There are sixty queens, and eighty concubines, and maidens without number.
9 [ 6:8] My dove, my perfect one is one; she is the only one of her mother; she is the choice of her that bore her. The daughters saw her, and the queens will pronounce her blessed, yes, and the concubines, and they will praise her.
10 [ 6:9] Who is this that looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, choice as the sun, terrible as [armies] set in array?
11 [ 6:10] I went down to the garden of nuts, to look at the fruits of the valley, to see if the vine flowered, if the pomegranates blossomed.
12 [ 6:11] There I will give you my breasts: my soul knew it not: it made me as the chariots of Aminadab.
13 [ 6:12] Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, and we will look at you. What will you see in the Shulamite? She comes as bands of armies.
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.