« | Ezekiel 34 | » |
1 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
3 "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, [but] you do not feed the flock.
4 "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.
5 "So they were scattered because [there was] no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.
6 "My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching [for them."]
7 ' Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:
8 "[as] I live," says the Lord GOD, "surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because [there was] no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock" --
9 'therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!
10 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I [am] against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them."
11 ' For thus says the Lord GOD: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.
12 "As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.
13 "And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.
14 "I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.
15 "I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down," says the Lord GOD.
16 "I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment."
17 ' And [as for] you, O My flock, thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats.
18 "[Is it] too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture -- and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet?
19 "And [as for] My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet."
20 ' Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them: "Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep.
21 "Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad,
22 "therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.
23 "I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them -- My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.
24 "And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.
25 " I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.
26 "I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing.
27 "Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them.
28 "And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make [them] afraid.
29 "I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore.
30 "Thus they shall know that I, the LORD their God, [am] with them, and they, the house of Israel, [are] My people," says the Lord GOD.' "
31 "You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you [are] men, [and] I [am] your God," 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.
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.