« | Joshua 23 | » |
1 And it happened many days after Jehovah had given rest to Israel from all their enemies all around, Joshua became old, far along in days.
2 And Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them, I am old, far along in days.
3 And you have seen all that Jehovah your God has done to all these nations because of you. For Jehovah your God is He who has fought for you.
4 Behold, I have divided to you by lot these nations that are left to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even to the Great Sea westward.
5 And Jehovah your God shall put them out from before you, and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, as Jehovah your God has promised to you.
6 And be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the Law of Moses, so that you do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left;
7 so that you do not come among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves to them.
8 But cleave to Jehovah your God, as you have done to this day.
9 For Jehovah has driven out from before you great and strong nations. But as for you, no one has been able to stand before you to this day.
10 One man of you shall chase a thousand. For Jehovah your God is He who fights for you, as He has promised you.
11 And take good heed to yourselves that you love Jehovah your God.
12 Otherwise, if you go back in any way, and hold to those left of these nations, these that remain among you, and shall marry them and go in to them and they to you,
13 know for a certainty that Jehovah your God will no more drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and whips in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which Jehovah your God has given you.
14 And behold, today I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your heart and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which Jehovah your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass to you. Not one thing of it has failed.
15 And it shall be, as comes to you every good thing which Jehovah your God has spoken to you has come to you, so shall Jehovah bring on you every evil thing until He has destroyed you from off this good land which Jehovah your God has given you,
16 when you transgress the covenant of Jehovah your God, which He commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them, then shall the anger of Jehovah be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which He has given to you.
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.