Galatians 1 | » |
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),
2 and all the brothers with me, to the churches of Galatia.
3 Grace be to you, and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God and our Father,
5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that you so soon are being moved away from Him who called you into the grace of Christ, to another gospel,
7 which is not another, but some are troubling you, and desiring to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from Heaven preach a gospel to you beside what we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, and now I say again, If anyone preaches a gospel to you beside what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For now do I persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
11 And, brothers, I make known to you the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.
12 For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it except by a revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you heard my manner of life when I was in Judaism, that I persecuted the church of God with surpassing zeal, and ravaged it.
14 And I progressed in Judaism beyond many contemporaries in my race, being much more a zealot of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and having called me by His grace,
16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the nations, immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood;
17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those apostles before me, but I went into Arabia and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
19 But I saw no other of the apostles, except James the Lord's brother.
20 And what I write to you, behold, before God, I do not lie.
21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and of Cilicia,
22 and was unknown by face to the churches of Judea in Christ.
23 But only they were hearing that he who then persecuted us, now preaches the faith which he once ravaged.
24 And they glorified God in me.
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.