« | Job 7 | » |
1 Is there not a warfare to man on earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hireling?
2 As a servant earnestly desires the shadow, and as a hireling looks for his wages,
3 so I am made to possess months of vanity, and weary nights are appointed to me.
4 When I lie down, I say, When shall I rise? But the night is long, and I am full of tossing to and fro until the dawning of the day.
5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken and has run afresh.
6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are ended without hope.
7 Remember that my life is a breath; my eye shall no more see good.
8 The eye of him who has seen me shall see me no more; Your eyes are on me, and I am gone.
9 As the cloud falls and vanishes away, so he who goes down to the grave shall come up no more.
10 He shall return no more to his house, nor shall his place know him any more.
11 Therefore I will not hold my mouth; I will speak in the trouble of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
12 Am I like the sea, or a whale, that You set a watch over me?
13 When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint,
14 then You scare me with dreams, and terrify me with visions;
15 so that my soul chooses strangling, death rather than my life.
16 I despise them; I will not live always; let me alone, for my days are vanity.
17 What is man, that You should magnify him, and that You should set Your heart on him,
18 and visit him every morning, trying him every moment?
19 Until when will You look away from me, nor let me alone until I swallow down my spittle?
20 I have sinned. What shall I do to You, O Watcher of men? Why have You set me as a target for You, so that I am a burden to myself?
21 And why do You not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? For now I shall sleep in the dust, and You shall seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.
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.