« | Hosea 13 | » |
1 When Ephraim spoke, trembling, He exalted [himself] in Israel; But when he offended through Baal [worship,] he died.
2 Now they sin more and more, And have made for themselves molded images, Idols of their silver, according to their skill; All of it [is] the work of craftsmen. They say of them, "Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!"
3 Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud And like the early dew that passes away, Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor And like smoke from a chimney.
4 " Yet I [am] the LORD your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For [there is] no Savior besides Me.
5 I knew you in the wilderness, In the land of great drought.
6 When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me.
7 "So I will be to them like a lion; Like a leopard by the road I will lurk;
8 I will meet them like a bear deprived [of her cubs;] I will tear open their rib cage, And there I will devour them like a lion. The wild beast shall tear them.
9 " O Israel, you are destroyed, But your help [is] from Me.
10 I will be your King; Where [is any other,] That he may save you in all your cities? And your judges to whom you said, 'Give me a king and princes'?
11 I gave you a king in My anger, And took [him] away in My wrath.
12 " The iniquity of Ephraim [is] bound up; His sin [is] stored up.
13 The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon him. He [is] an unwise son, For he should not stay long where children are born.
14 "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.
15 Though he is fruitful among [his] brethren, An east wind shall come; The wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness. Then his spring shall become dry, And his fountain shall be dried up. He shall plunder the treasury of every desirable prize.
16 Samaria is held guilty, For she has rebelled against her God. They shall fall by the sword, Their infants shall be dashed in pieces, And their women with child ripped open.
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.