« | Job 7 | » |
1 "[Is there] not a time of hard service for man on earth? [Are not] his days also like the days of a hired man?
2 Like a servant who earnestly desires the shade, And like a hired man who eagerly looks for his wages,
3 So I have been allotted months of futility, And wearisome nights have been appointed to me.
4 When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I arise, And the night be ended?' For I have had my fill of tossing till dawn.
5 My flesh is caked with worms and dust, My skin is cracked and breaks out afresh.
6 "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And are spent without hope.
7 Oh, remember that my life [is] a breath! My eye will never again see good.
8 The eye of him who sees me will see me no [more;] [While] your [eyes] are upon me, I shall no longer [be.]
9 [As] the cloud disappears and vanishes away, So he who goes down to the grave does not come up.
10 He shall never return to his house, Nor shall his place know him anymore.
11 " Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
12 [Am] I a sea, or a sea serpent, That You set a guard over me?
13 When I say, 'My bed will comfort me, My couch will ease my complaint,'
14 Then You scare me with dreams And terrify me with visions,
15 So that my soul chooses strangling [And] death rather than my body.
16 I loathe [my life;] I would not live forever. Let me alone, For my days [are but] a breath.
17 "What [is] man, that You should exalt him, [That] You should set Your heart on him,
18 That You should visit him every morning, [And] test him every moment?
19 How long? Will You not look away from me, And let me alone till I swallow my saliva?
20 Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?
21 Why then do You not pardon my transgression, And take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust, And You will seek me diligently, But I [will] no longer [be."]
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.