« | Zechariah 5 | » |
1 And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and looked and behold, a flying sickle.
2 And he said to me, What do you see? And I said, I see a flying sickle, its length [is] twenty cubits, and its width [is] ten cubits.
3 And he said to me, This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth; for every thief shall be punished with death on this side, and every false swearer shall be punished on that side.
4 And I will bring it forth, says the Lord Almighty, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that swears falsely by My name, and it shall rest in the midst of his house, and shall consume it, and the timber of it, and the stones of it.
5 And the angel that talked with me went forth, and said to me, Lift up your eyes, and see this that goes forth.
6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is the measure that goes forth. And he said, This is their iniquity in all the earth.
7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up; and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.
8 And he said, This is iniquity. And he cast it into the midst of the measure, and cast the weight of lead on the mouth of it.
9 And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, two women coming forth, and the wind was in their wings; and they had stork's wings; and they lifted up the measure between the earth and the sky.
10 And I said to the angel that spoke with me, Where do these carry away the measure?
11 And he said to me, To build a house for it in the land of Babylon, and to prepare [a place for it]; and they shall set it there on its own base.
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.