« | Job 24 | » |
1 "[Since] times are not hidden from the Almighty, Why do those who know Him see not His days?
2 "[Some] remove landmarks; They seize flocks violently and feed [on them;]
3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; They take the widow's ox as a pledge.
4 They push the needy off the road; All the poor of the land are forced to hide.
5 Indeed, [like] wild donkeys in the desert, They go out to their work, searching for food. The wilderness [yields] food for them [and] for [their] children.
6 They gather their fodder in the field And glean in the vineyard of the wicked.
7 They spend the night naked, without clothing, And have no covering in the cold.
8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, And huddle around the rock for want of shelter.
9 "[Some] snatch the fatherless from the breast, And take a pledge from the poor.
10 They cause [the poor] to go naked, without clothing; And they take away the sheaves from the hungry.
11 They press out oil within their walls, And tread winepresses, yet suffer thirst.
12 The dying groan in the city, And the souls of the wounded cry out; Yet God does not charge [them] with wrong.
13 " There are those who rebel against the light; They do not know its ways Nor abide in its paths.
14 The murderer rises with the light; He kills the poor and needy; And in the night he is like a thief.
15 The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, Saying, 'No eye will see me'; And he disguises [his] face.
16 In the dark they break into houses Which they marked for themselves in the daytime; They do not know the light.
17 For the morning is the same to them as the shadow of death; If [someone] recognizes [them,] [They are in] the terrors of the shadow of death.
18 "They [should be] swift on the face of the waters, Their portion [should be] cursed in the earth, [So that] no [one would] turn into the way of their vineyards.
19 As drought and heat consume the snow waters, [So] the grave [consumes those who] have sinned.
20 The womb [should] forget him, The worm [should] feed sweetly on him; He [should] be remembered no more, And wickedness [should] be broken like a tree.
21 For he preys on the barren [who] do not bear, And does no good for the widow.
22 " But God draws the mighty away with His power; He rises up, but no [man] is sure of life.
23 He gives them security, and they rely [on it;] Yet His eyes [are] on their ways.
24 They are exalted for a little while, Then they are gone. They are brought low; They are taken out of the way like all [others;] They dry out like the heads of grain.
25 " Now if [it is] not [so,] who will prove me a liar, And make my speech worth nothing?"
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.