« | Leviticus 18 | » |
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2 Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, I am the LORD your God.
3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein you dwelled, shall you not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, where I bring you, shall you not do: neither shall you walk in their ordinances.
4 You shall do my judgments, and keep my ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.
5 You shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.
7 The nakedness of your father, or the nakedness of your mother, shall you not uncover: she is your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness.
8 The nakedness of your father's wife shall you not uncover: it is your father's nakedness.
9 The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or daughter of your mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness you shall not uncover.
10 The nakedness of your son's daughter, or of your daughter's daughter, even their nakedness you shall not uncover: for theirs is your own nakedness.
11 The nakedness of your father's wife's daughter, begotten of your father, she is your sister, you shall not uncover her nakedness.
12 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister: she is your father's near kinswoman.
13 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister: for she is your mother's near kinswoman.
14 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother, you shall not approach to his wife: she is your aunt.
15 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter in law: she is your son's wife; you shall not uncover her nakedness.
16 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife: it is your brother's nakedness.
17 You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shall you take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
18 Neither shall you take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.
19 Also you shall not approach to a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.
20 Moreover you shall not lie carnally with your neighbor's wife, to defile yourself with her.
21 And you shall not let any of your seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
22 You shall not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
23 Neither shall you lie with any beast to defile yourself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
24 Defile not you yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof on it, and the land itself vomits out her inhabitants.
26 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojournes among you:
27 (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)
28 That the land spew not you out also, when you defile it, as it spewed out the nations that were before you.
29 For whoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.
30 Therefore shall you keep my ordinance, that you commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that you defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.
The American King James Version (AKJV)
The American King James Version (AKJV) is a modernized adaptation of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, which seeks to retain the majesty and accuracy of the original text while updating some of the archaic language to make it more accessible to contemporary readers. The AKJV was created by Michael Peter (Stone) Engelbrite in the late 20th century, aiming to preserve the classic beauty and literary excellence of the KJV while ensuring that the scripture remains comprehensible to modern audiences. Michael Peter (Stone) Engelbrite of True Grace Ministries, claims his version is a simple word for word update from the King James English.
This translation adheres closely to the text and structure of the KJV, making only minimal changes where necessary to update outdated terms and phrases. One of the significant features of the AKJV is its commitment to maintaining the same verse structure and traditional phrasing that has made the KJV so enduringly popular. By making modest updates to the language, such as replacing thee and thou with you and your, the AKJV provides a version of the Bible that feels familiar to those who have long cherished the KJV, while being more approachable for new readers. This careful balance allows the AKJV to honor the historical and literary legacy of the KJV while meeting the linguistic needs of readers of today.
The AKJV also seeks to remain faithful to the doctrinal and theological foundations of the KJV. By preserving the original text's meaning and intent, the AKJV provides a reliable translation for study, worship, and personal devotion. Its adherence to the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament ensures that the translation remains consistent with the sources that have historically underpinned the KJV. This fidelity to the original manuscripts and theological perspectives of the KJV helps maintain the trust and respect that many readers have for this venerable translation.
Despite its strengths, the AKJV has not been without its criticisms. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation does not go far enough in updating the language, leaving certain passages still challenging for modern audiences. Others feel that any alteration to the KJV diminishes its historical and literary significance. Nonetheless, the AKJV remains a valuable resource for those who seek a Bible translation that bridges the gap between the time-honored KJV and the needs of contemporary readers, offering a version that is both reverent and readable.