« | Amos 2 | » |
1 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away its [punishment,] Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.
2 But I will send a fire upon Moab, And it shall devour the palaces of Kerioth; Moab shall die with tumult, With shouting [and] trumpet sound.
3 And I will cut off the judge from its midst, And slay all its princes with him," Says the LORD.
4 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its [punishment,] Because they have despised the law of the LORD, And have not kept His commandments. Their lies lead them astray, [Lies] which their fathers followed.
5 But I will send a fire upon Judah, And it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem."
6 Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its [punishment,] Because they sell the righteous for silver, And the poor for a pair of sandals.
7 They pant after the dust of the earth [which is] on the head of the poor, And pervert the way of the humble. A man and his father go in to the [same] girl, To defile My holy name.
8 They lie down by every altar on clothes taken in pledge, And drink the wine of the condemned [in] the house of their god.
9 " Yet [it was] I [who] destroyed the Amorite before them, Whose height [was] like the height of the cedars, And he [was as] strong as the oaks; Yet I destroyed his fruit above And his roots beneath.
10 Also [it was] I [who] brought you up from the land of Egypt, And led you forty years through the wilderness, To possess the land of the Amorite.
11 I raised up some of your sons as prophets, And some of your young men as Nazirites. [Is it] not so, O you children of Israel?" Says the LORD.
12 "But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, And commanded the prophets saying, 'Do not prophesy!'
13 " Behold, I am weighed down by you, As a cart full of sheaves is weighed down.
14 Therefore flight shall perish from the swift, The strong shall not strengthen his power, Nor shall the mighty deliver himself;
15 He shall not stand who handles the bow, The swift of foot shall not escape, Nor shall he who rides a horse deliver himself.
16 The most courageous men of might Shall flee naked in that day," Says the LORD.
The New King James Version (NKJV)
The New King James Version (NKJV) is a modern translation of the Bible that seeks to preserve the stylistic and literary beauty of the original King James Version (KJV) while making it more accessible to contemporary readers. The project to create the NKJV began in 1975, spearheaded by Arthur Farstad and a team of over 130 scholars, theologians, and pastors. They aimed to maintain the traditional language and rhythm of the KJV while updating archaic terms and expressions to be more understandable for modern audiences. The translation was completed and published in 1982, offering a blend of reverence for the past and clarity for the present.
One of the defining features of the NKJV is its commitment to the Textus Receptus, the same Greek text underlying the New Testament of the KJV. This ensures a high degree of continuity between the two versions, making the NKJV familiar to those who have long cherished the KJV. However, the NKJV also considers findings from more recent scholarship and textual criticism, incorporating insights from the latest manuscripts and research. This approach helps to balance respect for the historical text with a recognition of the advancements in biblical studies.
The NKJV has been praised for its readability and poetic qualities, which make it suitable for both private study and public worship. Its translators worked diligently to preserve the lyrical and memorable phrasing of the KJV, which has deeply influenced English literature and religious practice. By modernizing the language without compromising the text’s inherent dignity and solemnity, the NKJV has become a popular choice among those who value both accuracy and elegance in their Bible reading.
Despite its strengths, the NKJV has faced criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that by adhering too closely to the Textus Receptus, it may not fully reflect the breadth of available manuscript evidence. Others feel that it may still be too archaic for some readers, especially those who are new to the Bible or who come from different linguistic backgrounds. Nonetheless, the NKJV remains a significant and respected translation, offering a bridge between the venerable tradition of the KJV and the needs of modern readers.