« | Luke 15 | » |
1 And all the tax-collectors and sinners drew near to Him in order to hear Him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them.
3 And He spoke this parable to them, saying,
4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say to you that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
8 Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and seek carefully until she finds it?
9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.
10 Likewise I say to you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
11 And He said, A certain man had two sons.
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that is coming to me. And he divided his living to them.
13 And not many days afterward, the younger son gathered all together and went away into a far country. And there he wasted his property, living dissolutely.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land. And he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country. And he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 And he was longing to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, and no one gave to him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father abound in loaves, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you
19 and am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.
20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you, and am no more worthy to be called your son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring the best robe and put it on him. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.
23 And bring the fattened calf here and kill it. And let us eat and be merry,
24 for this my son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 And his elder son was in the field. And as he came and drew near the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and entreated him.
29 And answering he said to his father, Lo, these many years I have served you, neither did I transgress your commandment at any time. And yet you never gave me a kid so that I might make merry with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you have killed for him the fattened calf.
31 And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.
32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
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.