« | Job 36 | » |
1 Elihu also proceeded and said:
2 "Bear with me a little, and I will show you That [there are] yet words to speak on God's behalf.
3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words [are] not false; One who is perfect in knowledge [is] with you.
5 "Behold, God [is] mighty, but despises [no one;] [He is] mighty in strength of understanding.
6 He does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed.
7 He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But [they are] on the throne with kings, For He has seated them forever, And they are exalted.
8 And if [they are] bound in fetters, Held in the cords of affliction,
9 Then He tells them their work and their transgressions -- That they have acted defiantly.
10 He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity.
11 If they obey and serve [Him,] They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.
12 But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.
13 " But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; They do not cry for help when He binds them.
14 They die in youth, And their life [ends] among the perverted persons.
15 He delivers the poor in their affliction, And opens their ears in oppression.
16 "Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, [Into] a broad place where [there is] no restraint; And what is set on your table [would be] full of richness.
17 But you are filled with the judgment due the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold [of you.]
18 Because [there is] wrath, [beware] lest He take you away with [one] blow; For a large ransom would not help you avoid [it.]
19 Will your riches, Or all the mighty forces, Keep you from distress?
20 Do not desire the night, When people are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, For you have chosen this rather than affliction.
22 " Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him?
23 Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, 'You have done wrong'?
24 " Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung.
25 Everyone has seen it; Man looks on [it] from afar.
26 "Behold, God [is] great, and we do not know [Him;] Nor can the number of His years [be] discovered.
27 For He draws up drops of water, Which distill as rain from the mist,
28 Which the clouds drop down [And] pour abundantly on man.
29 Indeed, can [anyone] understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy?
30 Look, He scatters his light upon it, And covers the depths of the sea.
31 For by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance.
32 He covers [His] hands with lightning, And commands it to strike.
33 His thunder declares it, The cattle also, concerning the rising [storm.]
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.