« | Job 16 | » |
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 "I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters [are] you all!
3 Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you 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 [But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the comfort of my lips would relieve [your grief.]
6 " Though I speak, my grief is not relieved; And [if] I remain silent, how am I eased?
7 But now He has worn me out; You have made desolate all my company.
8 You have shriveled me up, And it is a witness [against me;] My leanness rises up against me [And] bears witness to my face.
9 He tears [me] in His wrath, and hates me; He gnashes at me with His teeth; My adversary sharpens His gaze on me.
10 They gape at me with their mouth, They strike me reproachfully on the cheek, They gather together against me.
11 God has delivered me to the ungodly, And turned me over to the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, but He has shattered me; He also has taken [me] by my neck, and shaken me to pieces; He has set me up for His target,
13 His archers surround me. He pierces my heart and does not pity; He pours out my gall on the ground.
14 He breaks me with wound upon wound; He runs at me like a warrior.
15 "I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, And laid my head in the dust.
16 My face is flushed from weeping, And on my eyelids [is] the shadow of death;
17 Although no violence [is] in my hands, And my prayer [is] pure.
18 " O earth, do not cover my blood, And let my cry have no [resting] place!
19 Surely even now my witness [is] in heaven, And my evidence [is] on high.
20 My friends scorn me; My eyes pour out [tears] to God.
21 Oh, that one might plead for a man with God, As a man [pleads] for his neighbor!
22 For when a few years are finished, I shall go the way of no return.
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.