« | Ezekiel 15 | » |
1 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
2 "Son of man, how is the wood of the vine [better] than any other wood, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest?
3 "Is wood taken from it to make any object? Or can [men] make a peg from it to hang any vessel on?
4 "Instead, it is thrown into the fire for fuel; the fire devours both ends of it, and its middle is burned. Is it useful for [any] work?
5 "Indeed, when it was whole, no object could be made from it. How much less will it be useful for [any] work when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned?
6 " Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
7 'and I will set My face against them. They will go out from [one] fire, but [another] fire shall devour them. Then you shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I set My face against them.
8 'Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have persisted in unfaithfulness,' says the Lord GOD."
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.