Matthew 1 | » |
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac fathered Jacob, and Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers.
3 And Judah fathered Pharez and Zarah of Tamar. And Pharez fathered Hezron, and Hezron fathered Ram,
4 and Ram fathered Amminadab, and Amminadab fathered Nahshon, and Nahshon fathered Salmon.
5 And Salmon fathered Boaz of Rahab, and Boaz fathered Obed of Ruth, and Obed fathered Jesse,
6 and Jesse fathered David the king. And David the king fathered Solomon of her who had been wife of Uriah.
7 And Solomon fathered Rehoboam, and Rehoboam fathered Abijah, and Abijah fathered Asa.
8 And Asa fathered Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat fathered Jehoram, and Jehoram fathered Uzziah.
9 And Uzziah fathered Jotham, and Jotham fathered Ahaz, and Ahaz fathered Hezekiah.
10 And Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, and Manasseh fathered Amon, and Amon fathered Josiah.
11 And Josiah fathered Jehoiachin and his brothers, at the time they were carried away to Babylon.
12 And after the carrying away to Babylon, Jehoiachin fathered Shealtiel, and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel.
13 And Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, and Abiud fathered Eliakim, and Eliakim fathered Azor.
14 And Azor fathered Sadoc, and Sadoc fathered Achim, and Achim fathered Eliud.
15 And Eliud fathered Eleazar, and Eleazar fathered Matthan, and Matthan fathered Jacob.
16 And Jacob fathered Joseph, the husband to be of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations. And from David until the carrying away into Babylon, fourteen generations. And from the carrying away into Babylon until Christ, fourteen generations.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way (for His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph) before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
19 But Joseph, her husband to be, being just, and not willing to make her a public example, he purposed to put her away secretly.
20 And as he thought upon these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take to you Mary as your wife. For that in her is fathered of the Holy Spirit.
21 And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.
22 Now all this happened so that might be fulfilled that which was spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying,
23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive in her womb, and will bear a son. And they will call His name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 And Joseph, being roused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife,
25 and did not know her until she bore her son, the First-born. And he called His name JESUS.
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.