« | Job 16 | » |
1 And Job answered and said,
2 I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters.
3 Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you should answer?
4 I also could speak as you do; if your soul were in my soul's place. I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you.
5 I might make you strong with my mouth, and the moving of my lips would spare you.
6 Though I speak, my pain is not held back, and though I forbear, in what way am I eased?
7 But now He has made me weary; You have made all my company desolate.
8 And You have plucked me, for it is a witness, and my failure rises up against me, and it answers to my face.
9 His anger has torn and hated me; He gnashes on me with His teeth; my enemy sharpens his eyes at me;
10 They have gaped on me with their mouth; and have scornfully beaten me on the cheek; they gather themselves against me.
11 God has delivered me to the perverse; and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, but He has broken me in pieces; yea, He has also taken me by my neck and shaken me to pieces and set me up for His mark.
13 His archers hem me in; He splits my inward parts, and does not spare; He pours out my gall on the ground.
14 He breaks me with break on break; He runs on me like a giant.
15 I have sewed sackcloth on my skin and thrust my horn in the dust.
16 My face is reddened from weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
17 though no violence is in my hand, and my prayer is pure.
18 Oh earth, do not cover my blood, and let not my cry have a place.
19 Also now, behold, my Witness is in Heaven, and He who testifies of me is on high.
20 My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God.
21 Oh that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor!
22 For the years that are few will come, and I shall go the way from where I shall not return.
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.