« | Lamentations 5 |
1 Remember, O LORD, what has come upon us; Look, and behold our reproach!
2 Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, And our houses to foreigners.
3 We have become orphans and waifs, Our mothers [are] like widows.
4 We pay for the water we drink, And our wood comes at a price.
5 [They] pursue at our heels; We labor [and] have no rest.
6 We have given our hand [to] the Egyptians [And] the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
7 Our fathers sinned [and are] no more, But we bear their iniquities.
8 Servants rule over us; [There is] none to deliver [us] from their hand.
9 We get our bread [at the risk] of our lives, Because of the sword in the wilderness.
10 Our skin is hot as an oven, Because of the fever of famine.
11 They ravished the women in Zion, The maidens in the cities of Judah.
12 Princes were hung up by their hands, And elders were not respected.
13 Young men ground at the millstones; Boys staggered under [loads of] wood.
14 The elders have ceased [gathering at] the gate, And the young men from their music.
15 The joy of our heart has ceased; Our dance has turned into mourning.
16 The crown has fallen [from] our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!
17 Because of this our heart is faint; Because of these [things] our eyes grow dim;
18 Because of Mount Zion which is desolate, With foxes walking about on it.
19 You, O LORD, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation.
20 Why do You forget us forever, [And] forsake us for so long a time?
21 Turn us back to You, O LORD, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old,
22 Unless You have utterly rejected us, [And] are very angry with us!
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.