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1 And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and brought forth Cain and said, I have gained a man through God.
2 And she again bore his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And it was so after some time that Cain brought a sacrifice to the Lord of the fruits of the earth.
4 And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his sheep and of his fatlings. And God looked upon Abel and his gifts,
5 but Cain and his sacrifices He regarded not, and Cain was exceedingly sorrowful and his countenance fell.
6 And the Lord God said to Cain, Why are you downcast, and why has your countenance fallen?
7 Have you not sinned if you have brought it rightly, but not rightly divided it? Be still, to you shall be his submission, and you shall rule over him.
8 And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go out into the plain. And it came to pass, that when they were in the plain, Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him.
9 And the Lord God said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know- am I my brother's keeper?
10 And the Lord said, What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries [out] to Me from the ground.
11 And now you [are] cursed from the earth which has opened her mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.
12 When you till the earth, then it shall not continue to give its strength to you: you shall be groaning and trembling on the earth.
13 And Cain said to the Lord God, My crime is too great for me to be forgiven.
14 If You cast me out this day from the face of the earth, and I shall be hidden from Your presence, and I shall be groaning and trembling upon the earth, then it will be that anyone that finds me shall kill me.
15 And the Lord God said to him, Not so, anyone that slays Cain shall suffer a seven-fold vengeance; and the Lord God set a mark upon Cain, so that no one that found him would kill him.
16 So Cain went forth from the presence of God, and dwelt in the land of Nod over against Eden.
17 And Cain knew his wife, and having conceived she bore Enoch; and he built a city; and he named the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
18 And to Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael; and Mehujael begot Methushael; and Methushael begot Lamech.
19 And Lamech took to himself two wives; the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the second [was] Zillah.
20 And Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those that dwell in tents, feeding cattle.
21 And the name of his brother was Jubal; it was he who invented the psaltery and harp.
22 And Zillah also bore Tubal-Cain; he was a smith, a manufacturer both of brass and iron; and the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.
23 And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice, you wives of Lamech, consider my words, because I have slain a man to my sorrow and a youth to my grief.
24 Because vengeance has been exacted seven times on Cain's behalf, on Lamech's [it shall be] seventy times seven.
25 And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and called his name Seth, saying, For God has raised up to me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.
26 And Seth had a son, and he called his name Enosh: he hoped to call on the name of the Lord 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.