« | Numbers 20 | » |
1 Then the sons of Israel came, the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month. And the people stayed in Kadesh. And Miriam died there and was buried there.
2 And there was no water for the congregation. And they gathered themselves against Moses and against Aaron.
3 And the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying, Oh that we had died when our brothers died before Jehovah!
4 And why have you brought up the congregation of Jehovah into this wilderness, so that we and our cattle should die there?
5 And why have you made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us into this evil place? It is no place of seed or of figs or of vines or of pomegranates. And there is no water to drink.
6 And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces. And the glory of Jehovah appeared to them.
7 And Jehovah spoke to Moses saying,
8 Take the rod, and gather the assembly, you and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes. And it shall give forth its water, and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock. So you shall give the congregation and their animals drink.
9 And Moses took the rod from before Jehovah as He commanded him.
10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said to them, Hear now you rebels. Must we bring water for you out of this rock?
11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he struck the rock twice. And the water came out plentifully, and the congregation and their animals drank.
12 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not believe Me, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
13 These are the Waters of Strife, because the sons of Israel fought with Jehovah, and He showed Himself holy among them.
14 And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, So says your brother Israel, You know all the trouble that has happened to us,
15 how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have lived in Egypt a long time. And the Egyptians troubled us and our fathers.
16 And when we cried to Jehovah, He heard our voice and sent an Angel, and has brought us forth out of Egypt. And behold! We are in Kadesh, a city in the outermost part of your border.
17 Let us pass, I pray you, through your country. We will not pass through a field, nor through a vineyard, neither will we drink of the water of a well. We will go by the king's highway. We will not turn to the right hand nor to the left until we have passed your borders.
18 And Edom said to him, You shall not pass by me, lest I come out against you with the sword.
19 And the sons of Israel said to him, We will go by the highway. And if I and my cattle drink of your water, then I will pay for it. Without doing anything, I will only go through on my feet.
20 And he said, You shall not go through. And Edom came out against him with many people, and with a strong hand.
21 So Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border. Therefore Israel turned away from him.
22 And the sons of Israel, the whole congregation, pulled up stakes from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.
23 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor, by the border of the land of Edom, saying,
24 Aaron shall be gathered to his people. For he shall not enter into the land which I have given to the sons of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the Waters of Strife.
25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor.
26 And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son. And Aaron shall be gathered to his people, and shall die there.
27 And Moses did as Jehovah commanded. And they went up into Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son. And Aaron died there in the top of the mount. And Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.
29 And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, all the house of Israel.
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.