« | Hosea 12 | » |
1 "Ephraim feeds on the wind, And pursues the east wind; He daily increases lies and desolation. Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians, And oil is carried to Egypt.
2 "The LORD also [brings] a charge against Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; According to his deeds He will recompense him.
3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God.
4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him [in] Bethel, And there He spoke to us --
5 That is, the LORD God of hosts. The LORD [is] His memorable name.
6 So you, by [the help of] your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.
7 "A cunning Canaanite! Deceitful scales [are] in his hand; He loves to oppress.
8 And Ephraim said, 'Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; [In] all my labors They shall find in me no iniquity that [is] sin.'
9 " But I [am] the LORD your God, Ever since the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, As in the days of the appointed feast.
10 I have also spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets."
11 Though Gilead [has] idols -- Surely they are vanity -- Though they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal, Indeed their altars [shall be] heaps in the furrows of the field.
12 Jacob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a spouse, And for a wife he tended [sheep.]
13 By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, And by a prophet he was preserved.
14 Ephraim provoked [Him] to anger most bitterly; Therefore his Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him, And return his reproach upon him.
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.