« | Proverbs 23 | » |
1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, look carefully at what is before you;
2 and put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceitful food.
4 Do not labor to be rich; cease from your own understanding.
5 Will your eyes fly on it? And it is gone! For surely it makes wings for itself; it flies into the heavens like an eagle.
6 Do not eat the bread of him who has an evil eye, nor desire his dainty foods;
7 for as he thinks in his heart, so is he; Eat and drink, he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
8 Your bit which you have eaten, you shall vomit up, and spoil your pleasant words.
9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
10 Do not remove the old landmarks, and do not enter into the fields of the fatherless;
11 for their Redeemer is mighty; He shall plead their cause with you.
12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to the words of knowledge.
13 Do not withhold correction from a boy, for if you beat him with the rod, he will not die.
14 You shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from hell.
15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
16 Yea, my heart shall rejoice when your lips speak right things.
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners; but be in the fear of Jehovah all the day long.
18 For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope shall not be cut off.
19 My son, hear and be wise, and guide your heart in the way.
20 Do not be among those who drink much wine, among gluttons for flesh for themselves,
21 for the drunkard and the glutton lose all, and sleepiness shall clothe a man with rags.
22 Listen to your father who sired you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice; and he who fathers a wise child shall have joy from him.
25 Your father and your mother shall be glad, and she who bore you shall rejoice.
26 My son, give Me your heart, and let your eyes watch My ways.
27 For a harlot is a deep ditch, and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28 She also lies in wait as for prey, and increases the treacherous among men.
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has fighting? Who has babbling? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who stay long at the wine, those who go to seek mixed wine.
31 Do not look upon the wine when it is red, when it gives its color in the cup, when it goes down smoothly
32 At the last it bites like an asp and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes shall look upon strange women and your heart shall speak perverse things.
34 Yes, you shall be as one who lies down in the middle of the sea, or as one who lies upon the top of a mast,
35 saying, They struck me; I was not sick; they beat me, but I did not know it. When I awaken, I will add more. I will seek it again.
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.