« | Proverbs 20 | » |
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever goes astray by it is not wise.
2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion; whoever stirs him up to anger sins against his own soul.
3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife, but every fool exposes himself.
4 The lazy one will not plow; after the autumn he shall beg in harvest and have nothing.
5 Wisdom in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but a faithful man who can find?
7 The just walks in his integrity; his sons are blessed after him.
8 A king who sits in the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin?
10 Different kinds of weights, different kinds of measures, both are hateful to Jehovah.
11 Even a child is known by his own doings, whether his work is pure and whether it is right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, Jehovah has made both of them.
13 Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 It is bad! Bad, says the buyer; but when it is left to him, then he boasts.
15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger; and take a pledge from him for strangers.
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Purposes are established by counsel; and with good advice make war.
19 A gossip is a revealer of secrets; so do not mix with him who flatters with his lips.
20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in deep darkness.
21 An inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, even the end of it shall not be blessed.
22 Do not say, I will repay evil; wait on Jehovah, and He will save you.
23 Different kinds of weights are hateful to Jehovah, and a false balance is not good.
24 Man's steps are of Jehovah; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to a man to say rashly, A holy thing, and afterward vows to ask about it.
26 A wise king scatters the wicked and brings the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.
29 The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
30 The stripes of a wound cleanses away evil, and strokes the inward parts of the belly.
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.