« | Zephaniah 3 |
1 [ 3:1A] Alas the glorious and ransomed city.
2 The dove hearkened not to the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord, and she drew not near to her God.
3 Her princes within her were as roaring lions, her judges as the wolves of Arabia; they remained not till the morning.
4 Her prophets are insolent and scornful men: her priests profane the holy things, and sinfully transgress the law.
5 But the righteous Lord is in the midst of her, and He will never do an unjust thing: morning by morning He will bring out His judgment to the light, and it is not hidden, and He knows not injustice by extortion, nor injustice in strife.
6 I have brought down the proud with destruction; their corners are destroyed: I will make their ways completely waste, so that none shall go through: their cities are come to an end, by reason of no man living or dwelling [in them].
7 I said, But do you fear Me, and receive instruction, and you shall not be cut off from the face of the land for all the vengeance I have brought upon her: prepare yourself; rise early: all their produce is spoiled.
8 Therefore wait upon Me, says the Lord, until the day when I rise up for a witness: because My judgment shall be on the gatherings of the nations, to draw to Me kings, to pour out upon them all My fierce anger: for the whole earth shall be consumed with the fire of My jealousy.
9 For then will I turn to the peoples a tongue for her generation, that all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him under one yoke.
10 From the boundaries of the rivers of Ethiopia will I receive My dispersed ones; they shall offer sacrifices to Me.
11 In that day you shall not be ashamed of all your practices, where you have transgressed against Me: for then will I take away from you your disdainful pride, and you shall no more magnify yourself upon My holy mountain.
12 And I will leave in you a meek and lowly people;
13 and the remnant of Israel shall fear the name of the Lord, and shall do no iniquity, neither shall they speak vanity; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed, and lie down, and there shall be none to terrify them.
14 Rejoice, O daughter of Zion; cry aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; rejoice and delight yourself with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15 The Lord has taken away your iniquities, He has ransomed you from the hand of your enemies: the Lord, the King of Israel, is in the midst of you: you shall not see evil any more.
16 At that time the Lord shall say to Jerusalem, Be of good courage, Zion; let not your hands be slack.
17 The Lord your God is in you; the Mighty One shall save you: He shall bring joy upon you, and shall refresh you with His love; and He shall rejoice over you with delight as in a day of feasting.
18 And I will gather your afflicted ones. Alas! Who has taken up a reproach against her?
19 Behold, I [will] work in you for your sake at that time, says the Lord: and I will save her that was oppressed, and receive her that was rejected; and I will make them a praise, and honored in all the earth.
20 And [their enemies] shall be ashamed at that time, when I shall deal well with you, and at the time when I shall receive you: for I will make you honored and a praise among all the nations of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before you, says the Lord.
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.