« | Isaiah 41 | » |
1 "Keep silence before Me, O coastlands, And let the people renew [their] strength! Let them come near, then let them speak; Let us come near together for judgment.
2 "Who raised up one from the east? Who in righteousness called him to His feet? Who gave the nations before him, And made [him] rule over kings? Who gave [them] as the dust [to] his sword, As driven stubble to his bow?
3 Who pursued them, [and] passed safely By the way [that] he had not gone with his feet?
4 Who has performed and done [it,] Calling the generations from the beginning? 'I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I [am] He.' "
5 The coastlands saw [it] and feared, The ends of the earth were afraid; They drew near and came.
6 Everyone helped his neighbor, And said to his brother, "Be of good courage!"
7 So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; He who smooths [with] the hammer [inspired] him who strikes the anvil, Saying, "It [is] ready for the soldering"; Then he fastened it with pegs, [That] it might not totter.
8 " But you, Israel, [are] My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.
9 [You] whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, 'You [are] My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
10 Fear not, for I [am] with you; Be not dismayed, for I [am] your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
11 "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish.
12 You shall seek them and not find them -- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing.
13 For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'
14 " Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you," says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
15 "Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth; You shall thresh the mountains and beat [them] small, And make the hills like chaff.
16 You shall winnow them, the wind shall carry them away, And the whirlwind shall scatter them; You shall rejoice in the LORD, [And] glory in the Holy One of Israel.
17 " The poor and needy seek water, but [there is] none, Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the LORD, will hear them; [I,] the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers in desolate heights, And fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land springs of water.
19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, The myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree [and] the pine And the box tree together,
20 That they may see and know, And consider and understand together, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it.
21 " Present your case," says the LORD. "Bring forth your strong [reasons,"] says the King of Jacob.
22 "Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; Let them show the former things, what they [were,] That we may consider them, And know the latter end of them; Or declare to us things to come.
23 Show the things that are to come hereafter, That we may know that you [are] gods; Yes, do good or do evil, That we may be dismayed and see [it] together.
24 Indeed you [are] nothing, And your work [is] nothing; [He who] chooses you [is] an abomination.
25 " I have raised up one from the north, And he shall come; From the rising of the sun he shall call on My name; And he shall come against princes as [though] mortar, As the potter treads clay.
26 Who has declared from the beginning, that we may know? And former times, that we may say, '[He is] righteous'? Surely [there is] no one who shows, Surely [there is] no one who declares, Surely [there is] no one who hears your words.
27 The first time [I said] to Zion, 'Look, there they are!' And I will give to Jerusalem one who brings good tidings.
28 For I looked, and [there was] no man; I looked among them, but [there was] no counselor, Who, when I asked of them, could answer a word.
29 Indeed they [are] all worthless; Their works [are] nothing; Their molded images [are] wind and confusion.
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.