« | Proverbs 25 | » |
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 The glory of God is to hide a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but the heart of kings is without searching.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be founded in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forth in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of the great;
7 for it is better that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of a noble whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go forth quickly to fight, lest you know not what to do in the end of it, when your neighbor has put you to shame.
9 Debate your cause with your neighbor; and do not uncover a secret to another,
10 lest he who hears it put you to shame, and your evil report turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As a ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon a hearing ear.
13 Like cold snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to his senders; for he makes return to his master's soul.
14 A man boasting himself in a false gift is like clouds and wind, but no rain.
15 In being slow to anger a ruler is won over, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is enough for you, lest you be filled with it and vomit it.
17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Trust in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he who takes away a garment in cold weather, as vinegar upon niter, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall reward you.
23 The north wind drives away rain; so does an angry face a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than with a quarreling woman and to share a house.
25 Like cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is like a troubled fountain and a rotten spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a broken down city without a wall.
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.