« | Job 40 | » |
1 And Jehovah answered Job and said,
2 Shall a reprover contend with the Almighty? He who reproves God, let him answer it.
3 And Job answered Jehovah and said,
4 Behold, I am vile! What shall I answer You? I will lay my hand on my mouth.
5 Once I have spoken; but I will not answer; yea, twice, but I will go no further.
6 And Jehovah answered Job out of the tempest, and said,
7 Now gird up your loins like a man. I will question you, and you teach Me.
8 Will you also set aside My judgment? Will you condemn Me so that you may be justified?
9 And have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?
10 Adorn yourself now with majesty and grandeur, and with glory and honor clothe yourself.
11 Pour forth the rage of your wrath; and behold everyone who is proud, and abase him.
12 Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in darkness.
14 Then I also will confess to you that your own right hand can save you.
15 Now behold behemoth, which I made along with you; he eats grass like an ox;
16 see, now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the muscles of his belly.
17 He hangs his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together.
18 His bones are like tubes of bronze; his bones are like bars of iron.
19 He is the first of the ways of God; his Maker brings near his sword.
20 For the mountains yield food for him, and all the beasts of the field play there.
21 He lies under the lotus, in the hiding place of the reed and the marsh.
22 The lotus trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook surround him.
23 Behold, though a flood presses, he does not run away; he feels safe even if Jordan swells up to his mouth.
24 Shall any take him before his eyes, or pierce through his nose with cords?
The Modern King James Version (MKJV)
The Modern King James Version (MKJV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible that aims to preserve the majesty and accuracy of the original King James Version (KJV) while updating its language for modern readers. Developed by Jay P. Green Sr. and first published in 1990, the MKJV seeks to maintain the literary beauty and doctrinal reliability of the KJV, making only necessary adjustments to archaic terms and phrases to enhance readability. This careful balance allows the MKJV to retain the classic feel of the KJV while making it more accessible to today’s audience.
One of the standout features of the MKJV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or word-for-word translation. The translators have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time. This approach ensures that the MKJV remains faithful to the original texts and maintains the theological and literary integrity of the KJV. By preserving the cadence and phrasing of the original, the MKJV offers a reading experience that is both familiar and refreshed for modern readers.
The MKJV also pays special attention to the textual basis of the translation. Like the KJV, it relies on the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament. This adherence to traditional source texts underscores the MKJV’s commitment to continuity with the historic Christian tradition. The translation is designed to serve both devotional and scholarly purposes, providing a text that is suitable for study, teaching, and public reading in a variety of settings.
Despite its strengths, the Modern King James Version has faced some criticism. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation could benefit from a more extensive revision to fully embrace contemporary language, suggesting that the MKJV’s adherence to the structure and style of the KJV may still pose challenges for modern readers. Others appreciate the balance it strikes but note that it occupies a niche space, appealing primarily to those who have a strong attachment to the KJV. Nonetheless, the MKJV remains a respected and valued translation for those seeking a modern update of the KJV that honors its rich heritage and timeless message.