James 1 | » |
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion, greeting:
2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations,
3 knowing that the trying of your faith works patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing. For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.
7 For do not let that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways.
9 But let the humble brother rejoice in his exaltation;
10 and the rich one rejoice in his humiliation, because he shall pass away as the flower of the grass.
11 For the sun rose with the hot wind and dried up the grass, and its flower fell out, and the beauty of its appearance perished; so also the rich one will fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation, because having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one being tempted say, I am tempted from God. For God is not tempted by evils, and He tempts no one.
14 But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them.
15 Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brothers.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning.
18 Of His own will He brought us forth with the Word of truth, for us to be a certain firstfruit of His creatures.
19 Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
20 For the wrath of man does not work out the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore putting aside all filthiness and overflowing of evil, receive in meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man studying his natural face in a mirror.
24 For he studied himself and went his way, and immediately he forgot what he was like.
25 But whoever looks into the perfect Law of liberty and continues in it, he is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work. This one shall be blessed in his doing.
26 If anyone thinks to be religious among you, yet does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their afflictions, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
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.