« | Job 19 | » |
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 "How long will you torment my soul, And break me in pieces with words?
3 These ten times you have reproached 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 exalt [yourselves] against me, And plead my disgrace against me,
6 Know then that God has wronged me, And has surrounded me with His net.
7 "If I cry out concerning wrong, I am not heard. If I cry aloud, [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 taken the crown [from] my head.
10 He breaks me down on every side, And I am gone; My hope He has uprooted like a tree.
11 He has also kindled His wrath against me, And He counts me as [one of] His enemies.
12 His troops come together And build up their road against me; They encamp all around my tent.
13 " He has removed my brothers far from me, And my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
14 My relatives have failed, And my close friends have forgotten me.
15 Those who dwell in my house, and my maidservants, Count me as a stranger; I am an alien in their sight.
16 I call my servant, but he gives no answer; I beg him with my mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife, And I am repulsive to the children of my own body.
18 Even young children despise me; I arise, and they speak against me.
19 All my close friends abhor me, And those whom I love have turned against me.
20 My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh, And I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21 " Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, For the hand of God has struck me!
22 Why do you persecute me as God [does,] And are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 " Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24 That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever!
25 For I know [that] my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is destroyed, this [I know,] That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. [How] my heart yearns within me!
28 If you should say, 'How shall we persecute him?' -- Since the root of the matter is found in me,
29 Be afraid of the sword for yourselves; For wrath [brings] the punishment of the sword, That you may know [there is] a judgment."
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.