« | Isaiah 57 | » |
1 The righteous perishes, And no man takes [it] to heart; Merciful men [are] taken away, While no one considers That the righteous is taken away from evil.
2 He shall enter into peace; They shall rest in their beds, [Each one] walking [in] his uprightness.
3 " But come here, You sons of the sorceress, You offspring of the adulterer and the harlot!
4 Whom do you ridicule? Against whom do you make a wide mouth [And] stick out the tongue? [Are] you not children of transgression, Offspring of falsehood,
5 Inflaming yourselves with gods under every green tree, Slaying the children in the valleys, Under the clefts of the rocks?
6 Among the smooth [stones] of the stream [Is] your portion; They, they, [are] your lot! Even to them you have poured a drink offering, You have offered a grain offering. Should I receive comfort in these?
7 "On a lofty and high mountain You have set your bed; EVEN there you went up To offer sacrifice.
8 Also behind the doors and their posts You have set up your remembrance; For you have uncovered yourself [to those other] than Me, And have gone up to them; You have enlarged your bed And made [a covenant] with them; You have loved their bed, Where you saw [their] nudity.
9 You went to the king with ointment, And increased your perfumes; You sent your messengers far off, And [even] descended to Sheol.
10 You are wearied in the length of your way; [Yet] you did not say, 'There is no hope.' You have found the life of your hand; Therefore you were not grieved.
11 " And of whom have you been afraid, or feared, That you have lied And not remembered Me, Nor taken [it] to your heart? Is it not because I have held My peace from of old That you do not fear Me?
12 I will declare your righteousness And your works, For they will not profit you.
13 When you cry out, Let your collection [of idols] deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away, A breath will take [them.] But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, And shall inherit My holy mountain."
14 And one shall say, "Heap it up! Heap it up! Prepare the way, Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people."
15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name [is] Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy [place,] With him [who] has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
16 For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls [which] I have made.
17 For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners.
19 "I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to [him who is] far off and to [him who is] near," Says the LORD, "And I will heal him."
20 But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 "[There is] no peace," Says my God, "for the wicked."
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.