« | Nahum 2 | » |
1 The scattering one is coming up against your face. Guard the rampart. Watch the way, make your loins strong, firm up your power mightily.
2 For Jehovah has turned away the glory of Jacob, as the glory of Israel. For the plunderers have plundered them, and have destroyed their vine branches.
3 The shield of his mighty ones has become red; the mighty men are in scarlet; the chariots flame like iron torches in the day of his preparation. And the cypresses are made to quiver.
4 The chariots race madly in the streets; they shall run to and fro in the open squares. Their appearance is like torches; they dart about like lightnings.
5 He shall remember his nobles; they shall stumble in their walking; they shall make haste to its wall, and the covering shall be prepared.
6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be melted.
7 And she who stood firm is uncovered and caused to go away. And her slave women are moaning like the sound of doves, beating their breast.
8 But Nineveh is like a pool of water from her days; yet they are fleeing. Halt! Halt! they cry, but none looks back.
9 Seize the silver; seize the gold; for there is no end to the treasures; riches from all precious vessels.
10 She is empty and void and waste; and the heart melts, and the knees knock, and trembling is on all the loins; and all their faces collect heat.
11 Where is the den of the lions, and the feeding place of the young lions, where the lion and the lioness walked, and the lion's cub, and no one made them afraid?
12 The lion tears in pieces enough for his cubs, and strangles for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with torn prey.
13 Behold, I am against you, says Jehovah of Hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more.
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.