« | Zechariah 6 | » |
1 And I turned, and lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold, four chariots coming out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of bronze.
2 In the first chariot were red horses, and in the second chariot black horses;
3 and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot piebald and ash-colored horses.
4 And I answered and said to the angel that talked with me, What are these, my Lord?
5 And the angel that talked with me answered and said, These are the four winds of heaven, and they are going forth to stand before the Lord of all the earth.
6 [As for the chariot] in which were the black horses, they went out to the land of the north; and the white went out after them; and the piebald went out to the land of the south.
7 And the ash-colored went out, and looked to go and compass the earth: and he said, Go, and compass the earth. And they compassed the earth.
8 And He cried out and spoke to me, saying, Behold, these go out to the land of the north, and they have quieted My anger in the land of the north.
9 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
10 Take the things of the captivity from the chief men, and from the useful men of it, and from them that have understood it; and you shall enter in that day into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah that came out of Babylon.
11 And you shall take silver and gold, and make crowns, and you shall put them upon the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak the high priest;
12 and you shall say to him, Thus says the Lord Almighty; Behold the man whose name is the Branch; and He shall spring up from His stem, and build the house of the Lord.
13 And He shall receive power, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and there shall be a priest on His right hand, and a peaceable counsel shall be between them both.
14 And the crown shall be to them that wait patiently, and to the useful men of the captivity, and to them that have known it, and for the favor of the son of Zephaniah, and for a psalm in the house of the Lord.
15 And they [that are] far from them shall come and build in the house of the Lord, and you shall know that the Lord Almighty has sent Me to you: and this shall come to pass, if you will diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God.
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.