« | Exodus 5 | » |
1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.' "
2 And Pharaoh said, "Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go."
3 So they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go three days' journey into the desert and sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword."
4 Then the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get [back] to your labor."
5 And Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land [are] many now, and you make them rest from their labor!"
6 So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying,
7 "You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8 "And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, 'Let us go [and] sacrifice to our God.'
9 "Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words."
10 And the taskmasters of the people and their officers went out and spoke to the people, saying, "Thus says Pharaoh: 'I will not give you straw.
11 'Go, get yourselves straw where you can find it; yet none of your work will be reduced.' "
12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
13 And the taskmasters forced [them] to hurry, saying, "Fulfill your work, [your] daily quota, as when there was straw."
14 Also the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten [and] were asked, "Why have you not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as before?"
15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, "Why are you dealing thus with your servants?
16 "There is no straw given to your servants, and they say to us, 'Make brick!' And indeed your servants [are] beaten, but the fault [is] in your [own] people."
17 But he said, "You [are] idle! Idle! Therefore you say, 'Let us go [and] sacrifice to the LORD.'
18 "Therefore go now [and] work; for no straw shall be given you, yet you shall deliver the quota of bricks."
19 And the officers of the children of Israel saw [that] they [were] in trouble after it was said, "You shall not reduce [any] bricks from your daily quota."
20 Then, as they came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who stood there to meet them.
21 And they said to them, "Let the LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us."
22 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why [is] it You have sent me?
23 "For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all."
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.