« | Deuteronomy 23 | » |
1 He who is wounded, crushed, or who has his male member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of Jehovah.
2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of Jehovah. Even to his tenth generation he shall not enter into the congregation of Jehovah.
3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of Jehovah. Even to their tenth generation they shall not enter into the congregation of Jehovah forever,
4 because they did not meet you with bread and with water in the way when you came forth out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor, of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.
5 But Jehovah your God would not listen to Balaam, but Jehovah your God turned the curse to a blessing to you, because Jehovah your God loved you.
6 You shall not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days forever.
7 You shall not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother. You shall not despise an Egyptian, because you were a stranger in his land.
8 The sons that are born to them shall enter into the congregation of Jehovah in their third generation.
9 When the army goes forth against your enemies, then keep yourself from every wicked thing.
10 If there is among you any man who is not clean because of an accident at night, then he shall go outside the camp. He shall not come inside the camp.
11 And it shall be as evening turns, he shall wash with water. And when the sun is down, he shall come into the the middle of the camp.
12 You shall also have a place outside the camp where you shall go forth.
13 And you shall have a paddle on your weapon. And it shall be, when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it, and shall turn back and cover that which comes from you.
14 For Jehovah your God walks in the middle of your camp, to deliver you and to give up your enemies before you. Therefore your camp shall be holy, so that He may see no unclean thing in you and turn away from you.
15 You shall not deliver to his master the servant who has escaped from his master to you.
16 He shall live with you, among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of your gates, where it seems good to him. You shall not oppress him.
17 There shall be no harlot of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
18 You shall not bring the hire of a harlot, or the price of a dog, into the house of Jehovah your God for any vow. For even both these are hateful to Jehovah your God.
19 You shall not lend for interest to your brother, interest of silver, interest of food, interest of anything that is loaned on interest.
20 You may lend on interest to a stranger, but you shall not lend on interest to your brother, so that Jehovah your God may bless you in all that you set your hand to in the land where you go to possess it.
21 When you shall vow a vow to Jehovah your God, you shall not wait to pay it, for Jehovah your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin in you.
22 But if you shall cease to vow, it shall be no sin in you.
23 That which has gone out of your lips you shall keep and perform, even a free-will offering, according as you have vowed to Jehovah your God, which you have promised with your mouth.
24 When you come into your neighbor's vineyard, then you may eat grapes to your fill at your own pleasure, but you shall not put any in your vessel.
25 When you come into the standing grain of your neighbor, then you may pluck the heads with your hand, but you shall not move a sickle into your neighbor's standing grain.
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.