« | Proverbs 9 | » |
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars;
2 she has killed her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her young women; she cries upon the highest places of the city,
4 The simple one, let him turn in here. To one lacking heart, she says to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake the foolish and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 One rebuking a scorner gets shame to himself; and one rebuking a wicked one gets himself a blemish.
8 Do not reprove a scorner, lest he hate you; give to a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give to a wise one, and he will be still wiser; teach a just one, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For by Me your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.
12 If you are wise, you shall be wise for yourself; but if you scorn, you alone shall bear it.
13 A foolish woman is noisy; she is simple and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house, in a seat in the high places of the city,
15 to call those who pass by, who are going straight on their ways;
16 The simple one, let him turn in here. And to one lacking heart, she says to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18 But he does not know that the dead are there; her guests are in the depths of hell.
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have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time.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.