« | Job 33 | » |
1 "But please, Job, hear my speech, And listen to all my words.
2 Now, I open my mouth; My tongue speaks in my mouth.
3 My words [come] from my upright heart; My lips utter pure knowledge.
4 The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 If you can answer me, Set [your words] in order before me; Take your stand.
6 Truly I [am] as your spokesman before God; I also have been formed out of clay.
7 Surely no fear of me will terrify you, Nor will my hand be heavy on you.
8 " Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of [your] words, [saying,]
9 'I [am] pure, without transgression; I [am] innocent, and [there is] no iniquity in me.
10 Yet He finds occasions against me, He counts me as His enemy;
11 He puts my feet in the stocks, He watches all my paths.'
12 " Look, [in] this you are not righteous. I will answer you, For God is greater than man.
13 Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.
14 For God may speak in one way, or in another, [Yet man] does not perceive it.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds,
16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction.
17 In order to turn man [from his] deed, And conceal pride from man,
18 He keeps back his soul from the Pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.
19 " Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with strong [pain] in many of his bones,
20 So that his life abhors bread, And his soul succulent food.
21 His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones stick out [which once] were not seen.
22 Yes, his soul draws near the Pit, And his life to the executioners.
23 " If there is a messenger for him, A mediator, one among a thousand, To show man His uprightness,
24 Then He is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom';
25 His flesh shall be young like a child's, He shall return to the days of his youth.
26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness.
27 Then he looks at men and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted [what was] right, And it did not profit me.'
28 He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, And his life shall see the light.
29 "Behold, God works all these [things,] Twice, [in fact,] three [times] with a man,
30 To bring back his soul from the Pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.
31 "Give ear, Job, listen to me; Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, listen to me; Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."
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.