« | Job 17 | » |
1 "My spirit is broken, My days are extinguished, The grave [is ready] for me.
2 [Are] not mockers with me? And does not my eye dwell on their provocation?
3 "Now put down a pledge for me with Yourself. Who [is] he [who] will shake hands with me?
4 For You have hidden their heart from understanding; Therefore You will not exalt [them.]
5 He who speaks flattery to [his] friends, Even the eyes of his children will fail.
6 " But He has made me a byword of the people, And I have become one in whose face men spit.
7 My eye has also grown dim because of sorrow, And all my members [are] like shadows.
8 Upright [men] are astonished at this, And the innocent stirs himself up against the hypocrite.
9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.
10 " But please, come back again, all of you, For I shall not find [one] wise [man] among you.
11 My days are past, My purposes are broken off, [Even] the thoughts of my heart.
12 They change the night into day; 'The light [is] near,' [they say,] in the face of darkness.
13 If I wait [for] the grave [as] my house, If I make my bed in the darkness,
14 If I say to corruption, 'You [are] my father,' And to the worm, 'You [are] my mother and my sister,'
15 Where then [is] my hope? As for my hope, who can see it?
16 [Will] they go down to the gates of Sheol? Shall [we have] rest together in the dust?"
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.