« | Job 13 | » |
1 Lo, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I know also; I do not fall short of you.
3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case before God.
4 But you are imputers of lies; you are all worthless healers.
5 Oh that you would stop speaking entirely! And it would be your wisdom.
6 Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Would you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for Him?
8 Will you lift up His person, or contend for God?
9 Is it good that He should search you out? Or as one man mocks another, do you mock Him?
10 He will surely blame you, if youERecretly lift up persons.
11 Shall not His highness make you afraid, and His dread fall on you?
12 Your remembered sayings are like ashes, your bodies like bodies of clay.
13 Be quiet. Let me alone so that I may speak, and let come on me what may.
14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand?
15 Though he slay me, I will not wait, but I will maintain my own ways before Him.
16 He also is my salvation, for an ungodly one shall not come before Him.
17 Listen carefully to my words, and let what I say be in your ears.
18 Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I shall be justified.
19 Who is he that will plead for me, for now, I would be quiet and expire.
20 Only do not do two things to me; then I will not hide myself from You.
21 Withdraw Your hand far from me, and let not Your fear make me afraid.
22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and answer You me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make known my transgressions and my sin.
24 Why do You hide Your face, and hold me for Your enemy?
25 Will You terrify a leaf driven to and fro? Will You pursue the dry stubble?
26 For You write bitter things against me, and make me to possess the sins of my youth.
27 You put my feet also in the stocks, and look closely to all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
28 And he wears out like a rotten thing, like a garment that a moth eats.
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.