« | Proverbs 14 | » |
1 A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Jehovah, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall keep them.
4 Where no cattle are, the stall is clean, but much gain is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness will speak lies.
6 A scorner seeks wisdom, and it is not found, but knowledge is easy to him who understands.
7 Go from before a foolish man when you do not see in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the wise is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools laugh at sin, but among the righteous there is favor.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share in its joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tent of the upright shall be blessed.
12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that joy is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, but a good man from himself.
15 The simple believes every word, but the wise man watches his step.
16 A wise one fears and departs from evil, but the fool rages and is sure.
17 He who is soon angry acts foolishly, and a man of wicked plots is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the wise are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do not those who think evil go astray? But mercy and truth shall be to those who think of good.
23 In all labor there is gain, but the talk of the lips tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches of wisdom; the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies.
26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong hope, and His sons shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life to turn aside from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's honor, but in the lack of people is the ruin of the prince.
29 He who is slow to wrath is of great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exalts folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh, but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He who presses the poor curses his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy upon the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but the righteous has hope in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but among fools it is made known.
34 Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a shame to any people.
35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against him who causes shame.
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.