« | Job 12 | » |
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 "No doubt you [are] the people, And wisdom will die with you!
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I [am] not inferior to you. Indeed, who does not [know] such things as these?
4 "I am one mocked by his friends, Who called on God, and He answered him, The just and blameless [who is] ridiculed.
5 A lamp is despised in the thought of one who is at ease; [It is] made ready for those whose feet slip.
6 The tents of robbers prosper, And those who provoke God are secure -- In what God provides by His hand.
7 " But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you.
9 Who among all these does not know That the hand of the LORD has done this,
10 In whose hand [is] the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?
11 Does not the ear test words And the mouth taste its food?
12 Wisdom [is] with aged men, And with length of days, understanding.
13 "With Him [are] wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding.
14 If He breaks [a thing] down, it cannot be rebuilt; [If] He imprisons a man, there can be no release.
15 If He withholds the waters, they dry up; [If] He sends them out, they overwhelm the earth.
16 With Him [are] strength and prudence. The deceived and the deceiver [are] His.
17 He leads counselors away plundered, And makes fools of the judges.
18 He loosens the bonds of kings, And binds their waist with a belt.
19 He leads princes away plundered, And overthrows the mighty.
20 He deprives the trusted ones of speech, And takes away the discernment of the elders.
21 He pours contempt on princes, And disarms the mighty.
22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness, And brings the shadow of death to light.
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them.
24 He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth, And makes them wander in a pathless wilderness.
25 They grope in the dark without light, And He makes them stagger like a drunken [man.]
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.