« | Zechariah 4 | » |
1 And the angel that talked with me returned, and awakened me, as when a man is awakened out of his sleep.
2 And he said to me, What do you see? And I said, I have seen, and behold a lampstand of solid gold, with a bowl upon it, and seven lamps upon it, and seven oil funnels to the lamps upon it.
3 Two olive trees [are] above it, one on the right of the bowl, and one on the left.
4 And I inquired, and spoke to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these things, my lord?
5 And the angel that talked with me answered, and spoke to me, saying, Don't you know what these things are? And I said, No, my lord.
6 And he answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, not by mighty power, nor by strength, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.
7 Who are you, O great mountain before Zerubbabel, that you should prosper? Whereas I will bring out the stone of the inheritance, its grace equal to My grace.
8 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands shall finish it; and you shall know that the Lord Almighty has sent Me to you.
10 For who has despised the small days? Surely they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet of tin in the hand of Zerubbabel: these are the seven eyes that look upon all the earth.
11 And I answered, and said to him, What are these two olive trees, which are on the right and left hand of the lampstand?
12 And I asked the second time, and said to him, What are the two branches of the olive trees that are by the side of the two golden pipes that pour into and communicate with the golden oil funnels?
13 And he said to me, Don't you know what these are? And I said, No, my lord.
14 And he said, These are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
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.