« | Isaiah 63 | » |
1 Who [is] this who comes from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah, This [One who is] glorious in His apparel, Traveling in the greatness of His strength? -- "I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save."
2 Why [is] Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?
3 " I have trodden the winepress alone, And from the peoples no one [was] with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, And trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, And I have stained all My robes.
4 For the day of vengeance [is] in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come.
5 I looked, but [there was] no one to help, And I wondered That [there was] no one to uphold; Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; And My own fury, it sustained Me.
6 I have trodden down the peoples in My anger, Made them drunk in My fury, And brought down their strength to the earth."
7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD [And] the praises of the LORD, According to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.
8 For He said, "Surely they [are] My people, Children [who] will not lie." So He became their Savior.
9 In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old.
10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, [And] He fought against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses [and] his people, [saying:] "Where [is] He who brought them up out of the sea With the shepherd of His flock? Where [is] He who put His Holy Spirit within them,
12 Who led [them] by the right hand of Moses, With His glorious arm, Dividing the water before them To make for Himself an everlasting name,
13 Who led them through the deep, As a horse in the wilderness, [That] they might not stumble?"
14 As a beast goes down into the valley, [And] the Spirit of the LORD causes him to rest, So You lead Your people, To make Yourself a glorious name.
15 Look down from heaven, And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where [are] Your zeal and Your strength, The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained?
16 Doubtless You [are] our Father, Though Abraham was ignorant of us, And Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, [are] our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting [is] Your name.
17 O LORD, why have You made us stray from Your ways, [And] hardened our heart from Your fear? Return for Your servants' sake, The tribes of Your inheritance.
18 Your holy people have possessed [it] but a little while; Our adversaries have trodden down Your sanctuary.
19 We have become [like] those of old, over whom You never ruled, Those who were never called by Your name.
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.