« | Ephesians 4 | » |
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all humility and meekness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of the free gift of Christ.
8 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."
9 But that "He ascended"--what it is but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended, He is also the [One] who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the perfecting of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ,
13 until we all arrive to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to [the] measure of [the] stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we may no longer be infants, being tossed as by waves, and being carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in regard to deceitful scheming,
15 but speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ;
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the working of the measure of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the edification of itself in love.
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 having been darkened in understanding, being estranged from the life of God, because of the ignorance which is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
19 who, having become callous, gave themselves over to debauchery, for the working of uncleanness with utmost greediness.
20 But you did not thus learn Christ,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and were instructed by Him, just as the truth is in Jesus:
22 that you put off, concerning your former way of life, the old man which is being corrupted according to the deceitful lusts,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and that you put on the new man which was created in the likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put off falsehood, "Let each one speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.
26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun set on your anger,
27 nor give opportunity to the devil.
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working that which is good with his hands, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.
29 Let no corrupt word proceed from your mouth, but only what is good for edification, that it may give grace to them that hear.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and blasphemy be removed from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as also God in Christ forgave us.
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.