« | Isaiah 8 | » |
1 And Jehovah said to me, Take a great scroll and write in it with a man's pen: Make Haste to Plunder! Hasten to the Prey!
2 And I took to myself faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
3 And I went to the prophetess. And she conceived and bore a son. Then Jehovah said to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz Make Haste to Plunder.
4 For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and, My mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
5 Jehovah also spoke to me again saying,
6 Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;
7 And therefore, behold, the Lord brings on them the waters of the River, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory. And he shall come up over all his channels and go over all his banks.
8 And he shall pass through Judah. He shall overflow and go over; he shall reach to the neck. And the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.
9 Suffer evil, O people, and be broken! And give ear, all from the far places of the earth. Gird yourselves and be broken. Gird yourselves and be broken!
10 Counsel a counsel, and it is frustrated. Speak a word, and it shall not stand; for God is with us.
11 For so Jehovah spoke to me with a strong hand, and warned me against walking in the way of this people, saying,
12 Do not say, A conspiracy! to everything of which this people says, A conspiracy! And do not fear their fear, nor be afraid.
13 Sanctify Jehovah of Hosts Himself, and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.
14 And He shall be a sanctuary for you, but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of falling to both the houses of Israel, for a trap and for a snare to the people of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble and fall and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
16 Bind up the testimony, seal the Law among My disciples.
17 And I will wait on Jehovah, who hides His face from the house of Jacob; and I will look for Him.
18 Behold, I and the children whom Jehovah has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Jehovah of Hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion.
19 And when they shall say to you, Seek to the mediums and to wizards who peep and mutter; should not a people seek to their God, than for the living to the dead?
20 To the Law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because no light is in them.
21 And they shall pass through it, hard-pressed and hungry; and it shall be, they shall be hungry; They shall rave and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 And they shall look to the land; and behold, trouble and darkness and gloom of anguish! And they are driven away into darkness.
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.