« | Isaiah 21 | » |
1 The burden against the desert of the sea: As tempests in the south pass, it comes from the desert, from a terrible land.
2 A harsh vision is revealed to me; the deceiver deceives, and the plunderer plunders. Go up, O Elam; besiege, O Media! I have caused all her sighing to cease.
3 Therefore my loins are filled with pain; pangs have taken hold on me like the pangs of a woman who travails; I was bowed down from hearing; I was troubled from seeing.
4 My heart wanders, terror overwhelms me; He has turned the twilight of my pleasure into trembling.
5 Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink; arise, rulers. Anoint the shield.
6 For so Jehovah has said to me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he sees.
7 And he saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen, a chariot of an ass, and a chariot of a camel. And let him listen, very attentively.
8 And he cried, A lion! My lord, without ceasing, I stand on the watchtower by day, and I am stationed at my post all the nights.
9 And, behold, here comes a chariot of a man, a pair of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon has fallen, has fallen! And all the graven images of her gods He has smashed to the ground.
10 O my threshing, and the grain of my floor! That which I have heard of Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, I have declared to you.
11 The burden against Dumah: He calls to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
12 The watchman said, The morning comes, and also the night; if you will inquire, inquire, and come again.
13 The burden against Arabia: You shall stay in the forest of Arabia, O traveling companies of Dedanites.
14 The people of the land of Tema brought water to him who was thirsty; they went before him who fled with their bread.
15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the press of war.
16 For so has Jehovah said to me, Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, all the glory of Kedar shall fail;
17 and the rest of the number of archers, the mighty men of the sons of Kedar, shall be cut down; for Jehovah, the God of Israel, has spoken.
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.