« | Deuteronomy 27 | » |
1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you today.
2 And it will be, on the day when you shall pass over Jordan to the land which Jehovah your God gives you, you shall set up great stones and plaster them with plaster.
3 And you shall write on them all the words of the Law when you have passed over, so that you may go in to the land which Jehovah your God gives you, a land that flows with milk and honey, as Jehovah, the God of your fathers, has promised you.
4 Therefore it shall be when you have gone over Jordan, you shall set up these stones which I command you today, in Mount Ebal. And you shall plaster them with plaster.
5 And you shall build an altar there to Jehovah your God, an altar of stones. You shall not lift up any iron tool on them.
6 You shall build the altar of Jehovah your God of uncut stones, and you shall offer burnt offerings on it to Jehovah your God.
7 And you shall offer peace offerings, and shall eat there, and rejoice before Jehovah your God.
8 And you shall write all the words of this Law very plainly on the stones.
9 And Moses and the priests the Levites spoke to all Israel, saying: Take heed and listen, O Israel. Today you have become the people of Jehovah your God.
10 You shall therefore obey the voice of Jehovah your God, and do His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.
11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,
12 These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people when you have come over Jordan: Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin.
13 And these shall stand on Mount Ebal to curse: Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 And the Levites shall speak and say to all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
15 Cursed is the man that makes any graven or molten image, an abomination to Jehovah, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and puts it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
16 Cursed is he who thinks lightly of his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
17 Cursed is he who removes his neighbor's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
18 Cursed is he who makes the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
19 Cursed is he who perverts the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
20 Cursed is he who lies with his father's wife, because he uncovers his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
21 Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal. And all the people shall say, Amen.
22 Cursed is he who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
23 Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
24 Cursed is he who strikes his neighbor secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
25 Cursed is he who takes reward to kill an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
26 Cursed is he who does not confirm all the words of this Law, to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
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.