« | Job 5 | » |
1 "Call out now; Is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the holy ones will you turn?
2 For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one.
3 I have seen the foolish taking root, But suddenly I cursed his dwelling place.
4 His sons are far from safety, They are crushed in the gate, And [there is] no deliverer.
5 Because the hungry eat up his harvest, Taking it even from the thorns, And a snare snatches their substance.
6 For affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble spring from the ground;
7 Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.
8 "But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause --
9 Who does great things, and unsearchable, Marvelous things without number.
10 He gives rain on the earth, And sends waters on the fields.
11 He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans.
13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.
14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, And grope at noontime as in the night.
15 But He saves the needy from the sword, From the mouth of the mighty, And from their hand.
16 So the poor have hope, And injustice shuts her mouth.
17 " Behold, happy [is] the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
18 For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.
19 He shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.
20 In famine He shall redeem you from death, And in war from the power of the sword.
21 You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, And you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes.
22 You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
23 For you shall have a covenant with the stones of the field, And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
24 You shall know that your tent [is] in peace; You shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss.
25 You shall also know that your descendants [shall be] many, And your offspring like the grass of the earth.
26 You shall come to the grave at a full age, As a sheaf of grain ripens in its season.
27 Behold, this we have searched out; It [is] true. Hear it, and know for yourself."
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.