« | 2 Chronicles 14 | » |
1 And Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David. And his son Asa reigned in his place. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
2 And Asa did the good and right in the eyes of Jehovah his God.
3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and broke down the images, and cut down the Asherahs.
4 And he commanded Judah to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and to do the Law and the commandment.
5 He also took out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images. And the kingdom was quiet before him.
6 And he built fortified cities in Judah. For the land had rest, and he had no war in those years, because Jehovah had given him rest.
7 And he said to Judah, Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates and bars, while the land is still before us. Because we have sought Jehovah our God, we have sought, and He has given us rest on every side. And they built and were blessed.
8 And Asa had an army which bore bucklers and spears, three hundred thousand out of Judah. And out of Benjamin there were two hundred and eighty thousand who bore shields and drew bows; all these mighty men of valor.
9 And Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men, and three hundred chariots. And he came to Mareshah.
10 And Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in order in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
11 And Asa cried to Jehovah his God and said, Jehovah, it is nothing with You to help, whether with many or with him who has no power. Help us, O Jehovah our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Jehovah, You are our God. Do not let man prevail against You.
12 And Jehovah struck the Cushites before Asa and before Judah. And the Cushites fled.
13 And Asa and the people with him pursued them to Gerar. And the Cushites fell, for none was left alive of them. For they were destroyed before Jehovah and before His army. And they carried away very much plunder.
14 And they struck all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of Jehovah came on them. And they plundered all the cities, for there was very much plunder in them.
15 And they struck the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance and returned to Jerusalem.
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.