« | Job 34 | » |
1 Elihu further answered and said:
2 "Hear my words, you wise [men;] Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3 For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose justice for ourselves; Let us know among ourselves what [is] good.
5 "For Job has said, 'I am righteous, But God has taken away my justice;
6 Should I lie concerning my right? My wound [is] incurable, [though I am] without transgression.'
7 What man [is] like Job, [Who] drinks scorn like water,
8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men?
9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing That he should delight in God.'
10 " Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God [to do] wickedness, And [from] the Almighty to [commit] iniquity.
11 For He repays man [according to] his work, And makes man to find a reward according to [his] way.
12 Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed [Him over] the whole world?
14 If He should set His heart on it, [If] He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath,
15 All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.
16 "If [you have] understanding, hear this; listen to the sound of my words:
17 Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn [Him who is] most just?
18 [Is it fitting] to say to a king, '[You are] worthless,' [And] to nobles, '[You are] wicked'?
19 Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they [are] all the work of His hands.
20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; The people are shaken and pass away; The mighty are taken away without a hand.
21 "For His eyes [are] on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps.
22 There is no darkness nor shadow of death Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For He need not further consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.
24 He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place.
25 Therefore he knows their works; He overthrows [them] in the night, And they are crushed.
26 He strikes them as wicked [men] In the open sight of others,
27 Because they turned back from Him, And would not consider any of His ways,
28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him; For He hears the cry of the afflicted.
29 When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides [His] face, who then can see Him, Whether [it is] against a nation or a man alone? --
30 That the hypocrite should not reign, Lest the people be ensnared.
31 " For has [anyone] said to God, 'I have borne [chastening;] I will offend no more;
32 Teach me [what] I do not see; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more'?
33 Should He repay [it] according to your [terms,] [Just] because you disavow it? You must choose, and not I; Therefore speak what you know.
34 "Men of understanding say to me, Wise men who listen to me:
35 'Job speaks without knowledge, His words [are] without wisdom.'
36 Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost, Because [his] answers [are like] those of wicked men!
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; He claps [his hands] among us, And multiplies his words against God."
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.