« | Acts 14 | » |
1 And it happened in Iconium, they both went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke so as a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the nations and made them evil-hearted against the brothers.
3 Therefore they stayed a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who bore witness to the word of His grace, giving miracles and wonders to be done by their hands.
4 But the multitude of the city was divided. And part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 And when there was an assault made by both the nations and the Jews, with their rulers, in order to insult and to stone them,
6 they were aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the country around them.
7 And there they were preaching the gospel.
8 And a certain man was sitting in Lystra, without strength in the feet, being lame from his mother's womb, who never had walked.
9 This one heard Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him, and seeing that he had faith to be healed,
10 said with a loud voice, Stand up on your feet! And he leaped and walked.
11 And seeing what Paul did, the crowd lifted up their voice, saying in Lycaonian, The gods have come down to us, becoming like men.
12 And they called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.
13 And the priest of Jupiter, being before their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, wishing to sacrifice with the crowds.
14 But hearing this, the apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their clothes and ran in among the people, crying out
15 and saying, Men, why do you do these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preaching the gospel to you to turn you from these vanities to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all things in them;
16 who in past generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 And yet He did not leave Himself without witness, doing good, giving rain and fruitful season to us from heaven, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
18 And saying these things, they scarcely stopped the people from sacrificing to them.
19 And Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, who, having persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, they drew him out of the city, supposing him to have died.
20 But the disciples surrounding him, he rose up and came into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 And preaching the gospel to that city, and having made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch,
22 confirming the souls of the disciples, calling on them to continue in the faith and that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God.
23 And having hand-picked elders for them in every church, and had prayed with fastings, they commended them to the Lord into whom they believed.
24 And passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 And speaking the Word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 And from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
27 And having arrived, and gathering the church they related all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the nations.
28 And they stayed there not a little time with the disciples.
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.