« | Job 12 | » |
1 And Job answered and said,
2 For truly you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I do not fall short of you; yes, who does not know such things as these?
4 I am a laughing-stock to his friends; who calls on God, and He answers him; the just, the upright one is a mockery;
5 a flaming brand despised in the thoughts of him who feels secure; it is ready for those with slipping feet.
6 The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, in whatever God brings to their hand.
7 But now ask the animals, and they shall teach you; and the birds of the air, and they shall tell you;
8 or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you; and the fish of the sea shall declare it to you;
9 who of all these does not know that the hand of Jehovah has done this?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all flesh, even of man?
11 Does not the ear try words? And does not the mouth taste its food?
12 With the aged is wisdom, and understanding in length of days.
13 With Him is wisdom and strength; He has wisdom and understanding.
14 Behold, He breaks down, and it can not be built up again; He shuts up a man, and no one opens.
15 Behold, He withholds the waters, and they dry up; also He sends them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With Him is strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are His.
17 He leads wise men away stripped, and makes the judges fools.
18 He cuts away the bonds of kings, and binds their loins with a girdle.
19 He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty.
20 He removes the speech of the men of trust, and takes away the understanding of the aged.
21 He pours scorn on princes, and unties the belt of the mighty.
22 He discovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the shadow of death to light.
23 He gives greatness to the nations, and destroys them. He spreads out the nations, and leads them away.
24 He takes away the heart of the chief of the people of the land, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no path.
25 They grope in the dark without light, and He makes them to stagger like a drunkard.
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.