« | 1 Corinthians 3 | » |
1 And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual ones, but as to fleshly, as to babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk and not with solid food, for you were not yet able to bear it; nor are you able even now.
3 For you are yet carnal. For in that there is among you envyings and strife and divisions, are you not carnal, and do you not walk according to men?
4 For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
8 So he planting, and he watering, are one, and each one shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For of God we are fellow-workers, a field of God, and you are a building of God.
10 According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let every man be careful how he builds on it.
11 For any other foundation can no one lay than the one being laid, who is Jesus Christ.
12 And if anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble,
13 each one's work shall be revealed. For the Day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try each one's work as to what kind it is.
14 If anyone's work which he built remains, he shall receive a reward.
15 If anyone's work shall be burned up, he shall suffer loss. But he shall be saved, yet so as by fire.
16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God shall destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which you are.
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool so that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, "He takes the wise in their own craftiness."
20 And again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain."
21 Therefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours,
22 whether it is Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours,
23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
The Modern King James Version (MKJV)
The Modern King James Version (MKJV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible that aims to preserve the majesty and accuracy of the original King James Version (KJV) while updating its language for modern readers. Developed by Jay P. Green Sr. and first published in 1990, the MKJV seeks to maintain the literary beauty and doctrinal reliability of the KJV, making only necessary adjustments to archaic terms and phrases to enhance readability. This careful balance allows the MKJV to retain the classic feel of the KJV while making it more accessible to today’s audience.
One of the standout features of the MKJV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or word-for-word translation. The translators have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time. This approach ensures that the MKJV remains faithful to the original texts and maintains the theological and literary integrity of the KJV. By preserving the cadence and phrasing of the original, the MKJV offers a reading experience that is both familiar and refreshed for modern readers.
The MKJV also pays special attention to the textual basis of the translation. Like the KJV, it relies on the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament. This adherence to traditional source texts underscores the MKJV’s commitment to continuity with the historic Christian tradition. The translation is designed to serve both devotional and scholarly purposes, providing a text that is suitable for study, teaching, and public reading in a variety of settings.
Despite its strengths, the Modern King James Version has faced some criticism. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation could benefit from a more extensive revision to fully embrace contemporary language, suggesting that the MKJV’s adherence to the structure and style of the KJV may still pose challenges for modern readers. Others appreciate the balance it strikes but note that it occupies a niche space, appealing primarily to those who have a strong attachment to the KJV. Nonetheless, the MKJV remains a respected and valued translation for those seeking a modern update of the KJV that honors its rich heritage and timeless message.