« | Proverbs 17 | » |
1 Better is a dry piece of bread, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices with fighting.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.
4 A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; a liar gives ear to an evil tongue.
5 Whoever scorns the poor reviles his Maker; he who is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6 Sons of sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers.
7 An excellent lip is not fitting for a fool; much less are lying lips fitting for a prince.
8 A bribe is like a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever he turns, he is prudent.
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.
10 A reproof enters more into a wise man than a thousand stripes into a fool.
11 An evil one seeks only rebellion; so a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water; therefore leave off fighting, before it breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, even both of them are hateful to Jehovah.
16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, since he has no heart for it?
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for the time of trouble.
18 A man lacking heart strikes hands; he pledges in the presence of his friend.
19 He who loves fighting loves transgression; he who makes his gate high seeks ruin.
20 He who has a perverse heart finds no good, and he who has a crooked tongue falls into mischief.
21 He who fathers a fool does it to his sorrow; the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
23 A wicked man takes a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 And it is not good to punish the just, nor to strike princes for uprightness.
27 He who has knowledge uses few words; a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he is silent, is counted wise, and he who shuts his lips is counted as a man of understanding.
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.