« | Jeremiah 10 | » |
1 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.
2 Thus says the LORD: "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples [are] futile; For [one] cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple.
5 They [are] upright, like a palm tree, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot go [by themselves.] Do not be afraid of them, For they cannot do evil, Nor can they do any good."
6 Inasmuch as [there is] none like You, O LORD (You [are] great, and Your name [is] great in might),
7 Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due. For among all the wise [men] of the nations, And in all their kingdoms, [There is] none like You.
8 But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; A wooden idol [is] a worthless doctrine.
9 Silver is beaten into plates; It is brought from Tarshish, And gold from Uphaz, The work of the craftsman And of the hands of the metalsmith; Blue and purple [are] their clothing; They [are] all the work of skillful [men.]
10 But the LORD [is] the true God; He [is] the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.
11 Thus you shall say to them: "The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens."
12 He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.
13 When He utters His voice, [There is] a multitude of waters in the heavens: "And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries."
14 Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge; Every metalsmith is put to shame by an image; For his molded image [is] falsehood, And [there is] no breath in them.
15 They [are] futile, a work of errors; In the time of their punishment they shall perish.
16 The Portion of Jacob [is] not like them, For He [is] the Maker of all [things,] And Israel [is] the tribe of His inheritance; The LORD of hosts [is] His name.
17 Gather up your wares from the land, O inhabitant of the fortress!
18 For thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will throw out at this time The inhabitants of the land, And will distress them, That they may find [it so."]
19 Woe is me for my hurt! My wound is severe. But I say, "Truly this [is] an infirmity, And I must bear it."
20 My tent is plundered, And all my cords are broken; My children have gone from me, And they [are] no more. [There is] no one to pitch my tent anymore, Or set up my curtains.
21 For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, And have not sought the LORD; Therefore they shall not prosper, And all their flocks shall be scattered.
22 Behold, the noise of the report has come, And a great commotion out of the north country, To make the cities of Judah desolate, a den of jackals.
23 O LORD, I know the way of man [is] not in himself; [It is] not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
24 O LORD, correct me, but with justice; Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.
25 Pour out Your fury on the Gentiles, who do not know You, And on the families who do not call on Your name; For they have eaten up Jacob, Devoured him and consumed him, And made his dwelling place desolate.
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.