« | Job 28 | » |
1 Surely there is a mine for the silver, and a place where they refine gold.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and bronze is melted out of the stone.
3 He sets an end to darkness, and to every extremity He searches out the stones of darkness and the shadow of death.
4 He opens a shaft far from the visitor; they are forgotten by man's foot; they hang far away from men, they swing to and fro.
5 As to the earth, out of it comes bread; and underneath it is turned up like fire.
6 Its stones are the place of sapphires; and it has dust of gold.
7 There is a path which no bird knows, nor has the vulture's eye caught sight of it;
8 the sons of pride have not walked on it, the lion has not passed by.
9 He puts forth His hand on the flinty places; He overturns the mountains by the roots.
10 He cuts out rivers among the rocks; and His eye sees every precious thing.
11 He holds back the floods from overflowing; and the hidden thing, He brings to light.
12 But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know the price of it; nor is it found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, It is not in me; and the sea says, It is not in me.
15 Pure gold cannot be given in its stead, and silver be weighed as its price.
16 It cannot be weighed against the gold of Ophir, against precious onyx, or sapphire;
17 gold and the crystal cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for a vessel of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls; and the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it; it cannot be weighed against pure gold.
20 From where then does wisdom come, and where is the place of understanding?
21 Yea, it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and hidden from the birds of the heavens.
22 The place of ruin and death say, We have heard the fame of it with our ears.
23 God understands the way of it, and He knows its place.
24 For He looks to the end of the earth, and sees under all the heavens;
25 making a weight for the winds, and measuring out the waters by measure.
26 When He made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning to thunder;
27 then He saw it, and declared it; He prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
28 And to man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom! And to depart from evil is understanding!
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.