« | Job 37 | » |
1 "At this also my heart trembles, And leaps from its place.
2 Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling [that] comes from His mouth.
3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.
5 God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
6 For He says to the snow, 'Fall [on] the earth'; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
7 He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work.
8 The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs.
9 From the chamber [of the south] comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds [of the north.]
10 By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen.
11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds.
12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth.
13 He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy.
14 " Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know when God dispatches them, And causes the light of His cloud to shine?
16 Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 Why [are] your garments hot, When He quiets the earth by the south [wind?]
18 With Him, have you spread out the skies, Strong as a cast metal mirror?
19 "Teach us what we should say to Him, [For] we can prepare nothing because of the darkness.
20 Should He be told that I [wish to] speak? If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up.
21 Even now [men] cannot look at the light [when it is] bright in the skies, When the wind has passed and cleared them.
22 He comes from the north [as] golden [splendor;] With God [is] awesome majesty.
23 As [for] the Almighty, we cannot find Him; [He is] excellent in power, [In] judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress.
24 Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any [who are] wise of heart."
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.