« | Job 19 | » |
1 And Job answered and said,
2 How long will you torment my soul and break me in pieces with words?
3 And this, ten times you have blamed me; you are not ashamed that you have wronged me.
4 And if indeed I have erred, my error remains with me.
5 If indeed you magnify yourself against me, and plead against me my misery,
6 know now that God has overthrown me, and His net has closed on me.
7 Behold, I cry out, Violence! And I am not answered. I cry aloud, but there is no justice.
8 He has fenced up my way so that I cannot pass, and He has set darkness in my paths.
9 He has stripped me of my glory, and has taken the crown from my head.
10 He has broken me on every side, and I am gone, and He has uprooted my hope like a tree.
11 He has also kindled His wrath against me, and to Himself He counts me as His enemy.
12 His troops come together and raise up their way against me, and camp around my tent.
13 He has put my brothers far from me, and my friends have truly turned away from me.
14 My people have fallen away, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
15 Those who dwell in my house, and my slave-girls, count me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight.
16 I called my servant, and he gave no answer; I must beg him with my mouth.
17 My breath is hated by my wife, and I must beg to the sons of my mother's womb.
18 Even young children despise me; I arise, and they speak against me.
19 All the men of my counsel detest me, even this one I loved has turned against me.
20 My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped with the skin of my teeth.
21 Have pity on me! Have pity on me, my friends! For the hand of God has touched me.
22 Why do you, like God, persecute me and are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were engraved in a book!
24 Oh that they were cut with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall rise on the earth at the last;
26 and even after they corrupt my skin, yet this: in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not a stranger's; though my heart be exhausted in my bosom.
28 For you ought to say, Why do we persecute him, since the root of the matter is found in me?
29 Fear for yourselves because of the sword; for wrath brings the punishments of the sword, so that you may know there is a judgment.
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.