« | 2 Chronicles 17 | » |
1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place. And he made himself strong against Israel.
2 And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set troops in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken.
3 And Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and did not seek to Baals.
4 But he looked to the God of his father, and walked in His commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
5 And Jehovah made the kingdom sure in his hand. And all Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat. And he had great riches and honor.
6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Jehovah. And he took away the high places and Asherahs out of Judah.
7 And in the third year of his reign he sent to his rulers, to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
8 And with them he sent Levites, Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites. And with them he sent Elishama and Jehoram the priests.
9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the Law of Jehovah with them, and went around throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
10 And the fear of Jehovah fell on all the kingdoms of the lands around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.
11 And from the Philistines they brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. Also the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats.
12 And Jehoshaphat became exceedingly great. And he built fortresses in Judah, and store cities.
13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah. And the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.
14 And these were their numbers, for the house of their fathers from Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the chief, and with him were three hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
15 And on his hand, Jehohanan the chief, and with him were two hundred and eighty thousand.
16 And on his hand, Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Jehovah, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
17 And from Benjamin was Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield.
18 And on his hand, Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and eighty thousand ready and prepared for war.
19 These waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
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.