« | Job 10 | » |
1 "My soul loathes my life; I will give free course to my complaint, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
2 I will say to God, 'Do not condemn me; Show me why You contend with me.
3 [Does it] seem good to You that You should oppress, That You should despise the work of Your hands, And smile on the counsel of the wicked?
4 Do You have eyes of flesh? Or do You see as man sees?
5 [Are] Your days like the days of a mortal man? [Are] Your years like the days of a mighty man,
6 That You should seek for my iniquity And search out my sin,
7 Although You know that I am not wicked, And [there is] no one who can deliver from Your hand?
8 'Your hands have made me and fashioned me, An intricate unity; Yet You would destroy me.
9 Remember, I pray, that You have made me like clay. And will You turn me into dust again?
10 Did you not pour me out like milk, And curdle me like cheese,
11 Clothe me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews?
12 You have granted me life and favor, And Your care has preserved my spirit.
13 'And these [things] You have hidden in Your heart; I know that this [was] with You:
14 If I sin, then You mark me, And will not acquit me of my iniquity.
15 If I am wicked, woe to me; Even [if] I am righteous, I cannot lift up my head. [I am] full of disgrace; See my misery!
16 If [my head] is exalted, You hunt me like a fierce lion, And again You show Yourself awesome against me.
17 You renew Your witnesses against me, And increase Your indignation toward me; Changes and war are [ever] with me.
18 'Why then have You brought me out of the womb? Oh, that I had perished and no eye had seen me!
19 I would have been as though I had not been. I would have been carried from the womb to the grave.
20 Are not my days few? Cease! Leave me alone, that I may take a little comfort,
21 Before I go [to the place from which] I shall not return, To the land of darkness and the shadow of death,
22 A land as dark as darkness [itself,] As the shadow of death, without any order, [Where] even the light [is] like darkness.' "
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.