« | Matthew 18 | » |
1 At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greater in the kingdom of Heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child to Him and set him in their midst,
3 and said, Truly I say to you, Unless you are converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
4 Therefore whoever shall humble himself like this little child, this one is the greater in the kingdom of Heaven.
5 And whoever shall receive one such little child in My name receives Me.
6 But whoever shall offend one of these little ones who believes in Me, it would be better for him that an ass's millstone were hung around his neck, and he be sunk in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For it is necessary that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to offend, cut them off and throw them from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if your eye offends you, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.
10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I say to you that in Heaven their angels always behold the face of My Father in Heaven.
11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, does he not leave the ninety and nine and go into the mountains and seek the straying one?
13 And if it happens that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety and nine which did not stray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
15 But if your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he will not hear you, take one or two more with you, so that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he neglects to hear the church, let him be to you as a heathen and a tax-collector.
18 Truly I say to you, Whatever you shall bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in Heaven; and whatever you shall loose on earth shall occur, having been loosed in Heaven.
19 Again I say to you that if two of you shall agree on earth as regarding anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by My Father in Heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Until seven times?
22 Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore the kingdom of Heaven has been compared to a certain king who desired to make an accounting with his servants.
24 And when he had begun to count, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But as he had nothing to pay, his lord commanded that he, and his wife and children, and all that he had, be sold, and payment be made.
26 Then the servant fell down and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me and I will pay you all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. And he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what you owe.
29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, Have patience with me and I will pay you all.
30 And he would not, but went and cast him into prison until he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry. And they came and told their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after he had called him, said to him, O wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 Should you not also have pitied your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you?
34 And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also to you, unless each one of you from your hearts forgive his brother their trespasses.
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.