« | Job 14 | » |
1 Man born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
2 He comes forth like a flower, and withers; he also flees as a shadow, and does not stand.
3 And You open Your eyes on such a one, and bring me into judgment with You.
4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!
5 For his days are fixed, the number of his months is with You, and You have set his bounds so that he cannot pass;
6 look away from him, so that he may rest until he shall finish his day, as a hireling.
7 For there is hope of a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and its tender branch will not cease.
8 Though its root becomes old in the earth, and its stump dies in the dust,
9 yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant.
10 But man dies and is cut off; and man expires, and where is he?
11 As the waters fail from the sea, and a river falls away and dries up,
12 so man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, they shall not awake, nor be awakened out of their sleep.
13 Who will grant that You would hide me in the grave, that You would keep me secret, until Your wrath is past, that You would set me a fixed time and remember me?
14 If a man die, shall he revive? All the days of my warfare I will wait, until my change comes.
15 You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall have a desire to the work of Your hands.
16 For now You number my steps; do You not watch over my sin?
17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and You cover over my iniquity.
18 And surely a falling mountain crumbles away, and the rock moves out of its place.
19 The waters wear away the stones; the outpouring of it washes the dust of the earth; and You cause the hope of man to perish.
20 You overpower him forever, and he passes; You change his face, and send him away.
21 His sons come to honor, and he knows it not; they fall, but he does not mark it.
22 But his flesh is pained within him; and his soul mourns over him.
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.