« | Leviticus 3 | » |
1 'When his offering [is] a sacrifice of a peace offering, if he offers [it] of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.
2 'And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it [at] the door of the tabernacle of meeting; and Aaron's sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood all around on the altar.
3 'Then he shall offer from the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire to the LORD. The fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that [is] on the entrails,
4 'the two kidneys and the fat that [is] on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe [attached] to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove;
5 'and Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which [is] on the wood that [is] on the fire, [as] an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD.
6 ' If his offering as a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD [is] of the flock, [whether] male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
7 'If he offers a lamb as his offering, then he shall offer it before the LORD.
8 'And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of meeting; and Aaron's sons shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar.
9 'Then he shall offer from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as an offering made by fire to the LORD, its fat [and] the whole fat tail which he shall remove close to the backbone. And the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that [is] on the entrails,
10 'the two kidneys and the fat that [is] on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe [attached] to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove;
11 'and the priest shall burn [them] on the altar [as] food, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
12 ' And if his offering [is] a goat, then he shall offer it before the LORD.
13 'He shall lay his hand on its head and kill it before the tabernacle of meeting; and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar.
14 'Then he shall offer from it his offering, as an offering made by fire to the LORD. The fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that [is] on the entrails,
15 'the two kidneys and the fat that [is] on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe [attached] to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove;
16 'and the priest shall burn them on the altar [as] food, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma; all the fat [is] the LORD's.
17 ' [This shall be] a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood.' "
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.