« | Isaiah 23 | » |
1 The burden against Tyre: Howl, ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in. From the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
2 Be still, inhabitants of the coast, merchant of Sidon, who pass over the sea. They have filled you.
3 And by great waters, the seed of Sihor and the harvest of the river Nile was her revenue; and she a mart of nations.
4 Be ashamed, O Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the strength of the sea, saying, I have not travailed nor brought forth. I have not nourished young men nor raised up virgins.
5 As the report comes to Egypt, so they shall be grieved at the report of Tyre.
6 Pass over Tarshish. Howl, inhabitants of the coast!
7 Is this your joyous city from days of her old age? Her own feet carry it afar off to stay.
8 Who has purposed this against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are rulers, whose merchants are the weighty of the earth?
9 Jehovah of Hosts has purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory and to bring into contempt all the weighty of the earth.
10 Pass through your land like a river, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no more strength.
11 He stretched out His hand over the sea; He shook kingdoms. Jehovah has made a decree against the merchant city, to destroy its forts.
12 And He said, You shall rejoice no more, O crushed one, virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, pass over to Chittim; also there you shall have no rest.
13 Behold the land of the Chaldeans! This people did not exist. Assyria founded it for those who live in the desert. They set up their siege-towers; they stripped its palaces. They made it a ruin.
14 Howl, ships of Tarshish! For your strength is laid waste.
15 And in that day Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. At the end of seventy years, it will be as the song of a harlot to Tyre.
16 Take a harp, go about the city, O harlot who has been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs so that you may be remembered.
17 And it will be, after the end of seventy years Jehovah will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth.
18 And her goods and her wages shall be holiness to Jehovah. It shall not be treasured nor laid up, for her goods shall be for those who dwell before Jehovah, to eat enough, and for a choice covering.
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.