« | Job 15 | » |
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:
2 "Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind?
3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk, Or by speeches with which he can do no good?
4 Yes, you cast off fear, And restrain prayer before God.
5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth, And you choose the tongue of the crafty.
6 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; Yes, your own lips testify against you.
7 "[Are] you the first man [who] was born? Or were you made before the hills?
8 Have you heard the counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?
9 What do you know that we do not know? [What] do you understand that [is] not in us?
10 Both the gray-haired and the aged [are] among us, Much older than your father.
11 [Are] the consolations of God too small for you, And the word [spoken] gently with you?
12 Why does your heart carry you away, And what do your eyes wink at,
13 That you turn your spirit against God, And let [such] words go out of your mouth?
14 "What [is] man, that he could be pure? And [he who is] born of a woman, that he could be righteous?
15 If [God] puts no trust in His saints, And the heavens are not pure in His sight,
16 How much less man, [who is] abominable and filthy, Who drinks iniquity like water!
17 " I will tell you, hear me; What I have seen I will declare,
18 What wise men have told, Not hiding [anything received] from their fathers,
19 To whom alone the land was given, And no alien passed among them:
20 The wicked man writhes with pain all [his] days, And the number of years is hidden from the oppressor.
21 Dreadful sounds [are] in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer comes upon him.
22 He does not believe that he will return from darkness, For a sword is waiting for him.
23 He wanders about for bread, [saying,] 'Where [is it?'] He knows that a day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24 Trouble and anguish make him afraid; They overpower him, like a king ready for battle.
25 For he stretches out his hand against God, And acts defiantly against the Almighty,
26 Running stubbornly against Him With his strong, embossed shield.
27 "Though he has covered his face with his fatness, And made [his] waist heavy with fat,
28 He dwells in desolate cities, In houses which no one inhabits, Which are destined to become ruins.
29 He will not be rich, Nor will his wealth continue, Nor will his possessions overspread the earth.
30 He will not depart from darkness; The flame will dry out his branches, And by the breath of His mouth he will go away.
31 Let him not trust in futile [things,] deceiving himself, For futility will be his reward.
32 It will be accomplished before his time, And his branch will not be green.
33 He will shake off his unripe grape like a vine, And cast off his blossom like an olive tree.
34 For the company of hypocrites [will be] barren, And fire will consume the tents of bribery.
35 They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; Their womb prepares deceit."
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.