« | Zechariah 7 | » |
1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Darius the king, [that] the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.
2 And Sherezer and Arbeseer the king and his men sent to Bethel, to entreat the favor of the Lord,
3 speaking to the priests that were in the house of the Lord Almighty, and to the prophets, saying, The holy offering has come in here in the fifth month, as it has done already many years.
4 And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying,
5 Speak to the whole people of the land, and to the priests, saying, Though you fasted or lamented in the fifth or seventh [months] (yea, behold, these seventy years) have you at all fasted to Me?
6 And if you eat or drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?
7 Are not these the words which the Lord spoke by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and her cities round about her, and the hill country and the low country was inhabited?
8 And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying,
9 Thus says the Lord Almighty; Judge righteous judgment, and deal mercifully and compassionately, everyone with his brother,
10 and oppress not the widow, or the fatherless, or the stranger, or the poor; and let not one of you remember in his heart the injury of his brother.
11 But they refused to attend, and madly turned their back, and made their ears heavy, so that they should not hear.
12 And they made their heart disobedient, so as not to hearken to My law, and the words which the Lord Almighty sent forth by His Spirit by the former prophets: so there was great wrath from the Lord Almighty.
13 Therefore it came to pass, [that] as He spoke and they did not listen, so they shall cry, and I will not listen, says the Lord Almighty.
14 And I will cast them out among all the nations, whom they know not; and the land behind them shall be made utterly destitute of any going through or returning; for they have made the choice land a desolation.
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.