« | Zechariah 2 | » |
1 And I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man, and in his hand a measuring line.
2 And I said to him, Where are you going? And he said to me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth of it, and what is the length of it.
3 And behold, the angel that spoke with me stood by, and another angel went forth to meet him,
4 and spoke to him, saying, Run and speak to that young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be fully inhabited by reason of the abundance of men and cattle in the midst of her.
5 And I will be to her, says the Lord, a wall of fire round about, and I will be for a glory in the midst of her.
6 Up, up! Flee from the land of the north, says the Lord; for I will gather you from the four winds of heaven, says the Lord,
7 [even] to Zion; deliver yourselves, you that dwell [with] the daughter of Babylon.
8 For thus says the Lord Almighty; After the glory has he sent Me to the nations that spoiled you: for he that touches you is as one that touches the apple of His eye.
9 For behold, I bring My hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to them that serve them: and you shall know that the Lord Almighty has sent Me.
10 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I come, and will dwell in the midst of you, says the Lord.
11 And many nations shall flee for refuge to the Lord in that day, and they shall be for a people to Him, and they shall dwell in the midst of you; and you shall know that the Lord Almighty has sent Me to you.
12 And the Lord shall take possession of Judah, His portion in the holy land, and He will yet choose Jerusalem.
13 Let all flesh fear before the Lord, for He has risen up from His holy clouds.
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.