« | Job 30 | » |
1 "But now they mock at me, [men] younger than I, Whose fathers I disdained to put with the dogs of my flock.
2 Indeed, what [profit] is the strength of their hands to me? Their vigor has perished.
3 [They are] gaunt from want and famine, Fleeing late to the wilderness, desolate and waste,
4 Who pluck mallow by the bushes, And broom tree roots [for] their food.
5 They were driven out from among [men,] They shouted at them as [at] a thief.
6 [They had] to live in the clefts of the valleys, [In] caves of the earth and the rocks.
7 Among the bushes they brayed, Under the nettles they nestled.
8 [They were] sons of fools, Yes, sons of vile men; They were scourged from the land.
9 "And now I am their taunting song; Yes, I am their byword.
10 They abhor me, they keep far from me; They do not hesitate to spit in my face.
11 Because He has loosed my bowstring and afflicted me, They have cast off restraint before me.
12 At [my] right [hand] the rabble arises; They push away my feet, And they raise against me their ways of destruction.
13 They break up my path, They promote my calamity; They have no helper.
14 They come as broad breakers; Under the ruinous storm they roll along.
15 Terrors are turned upon me; They pursue my honor as the wind, And my prosperity has passed like a cloud.
16 "And now my soul is poured out because of my [plight;] The days of affliction take hold of me.
17 My bones are pierced in me at night, And my gnawing pains take no rest.
18 By great force my garment is disfigured; It binds me about as the collar of my coat.
19 He has cast me into the mire, And I have become like dust and ashes.
20 " I cry out to You, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You regard me.
21 [But] You have become cruel to me; With the strength of Your hand You oppose me.
22 You lift me up to the wind and cause me to ride [on it;] You spoil my success.
23 For I know [that] You will bring me [to] death, And [to] the house appointed for all living.
24 " Surely He would not stretch out [His] hand against a heap of ruins, If they cry out when He destroys [it.]
25 Have I not wept for him who was in trouble? Has [not] my soul grieved for the poor?
26 But when I looked for good, evil came [to me;] And when I waited for light, then came darkness.
27 My heart is in turmoil and cannot rest; Days of affliction confront me.
28 I go about mourning, but not in the sun; I stand up in the assembly [and] cry out for help.
29 I am a brother of jackals, And a companion of ostriches.
30 My skin grows black and falls from me; My bones burn with fever.
31 My harp is [turned] to mourning, And my flute to the voice of those who weep.
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.