Song of Solomon 1 | » |
1 The song of songs, which [is] Solomon's. THE SHULAMITE
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth -- For your love [is] better than wine.
3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name [is] ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you.
4 Draw me away! THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM We will run after you. THE SHULAMITE The king has brought me into his chambers. THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. THE SHULAMITE Rightly do they love you.
5 I [am] dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon.
6 Do not look upon me, because I [am] dark, Because the sun has tanned me. My mother's sons were angry with me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards, [But] my own vineyard I have not kept. (TO HER BELOVED)
7 Tell me, O you whom I love, Where you feed [your flock,] Where you make [it] rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself By the flocks of your companions? THE BELOVED
8 If you do not know, O fairest among women, Follow in the footsteps of the flock, And feed your little goats Beside the shepherds' tents.
9 I have compared you, my love, To my filly among Pharaoh's chariots.
10 Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, Your neck with chains [of gold.] THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM
11 We will make you ornaments of gold With studs of silver. THE SHULAMITE
12 While the king [is] at his table, My spikenard sends forth its fragrance.
13 A bundle of myrrh [is] my beloved to me, That lies all night between my breasts.
14 My beloved [is] to me a cluster of henna [blooms] In the vineyards of En Gedi. THE BELOVED
15 Behold, you [are] fair, my love! Behold, you [are] fair! You [have] dove's eyes. THE SHULAMITE
16 Behold, you [are] handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our bed [is] green.
17 The beams of our houses [are] cedar, [And] our rafters of fir.
The New King James Version (NKJV)
The New King James Version (NKJV) is a modern translation of the Bible that seeks to preserve the stylistic and literary beauty of the original King James Version (KJV) while making it more accessible to contemporary readers. The project to create the NKJV began in 1975, spearheaded by Arthur Farstad and a team of over 130 scholars, theologians, and pastors. They aimed to maintain the traditional language and rhythm of the KJV while updating archaic terms and expressions to be more understandable for modern audiences. The translation was completed and published in 1982, offering a blend of reverence for the past and clarity for the present.
One of the defining features of the NKJV is its commitment to the Textus Receptus, the same Greek text underlying the New Testament of the KJV. This ensures a high degree of continuity between the two versions, making the NKJV familiar to those who have long cherished the KJV. However, the NKJV also considers findings from more recent scholarship and textual criticism, incorporating insights from the latest manuscripts and research. This approach helps to balance respect for the historical text with a recognition of the advancements in biblical studies.
The NKJV has been praised for its readability and poetic qualities, which make it suitable for both private study and public worship. Its translators worked diligently to preserve the lyrical and memorable phrasing of the KJV, which has deeply influenced English literature and religious practice. By modernizing the language without compromising the text’s inherent dignity and solemnity, the NKJV has become a popular choice among those who value both accuracy and elegance in their Bible reading.
Despite its strengths, the NKJV has faced criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that by adhering too closely to the Textus Receptus, it may not fully reflect the breadth of available manuscript evidence. Others feel that it may still be too archaic for some readers, especially those who are new to the Bible or who come from different linguistic backgrounds. Nonetheless, the NKJV remains a significant and respected translation, offering a bridge between the venerable tradition of the KJV and the needs of modern readers.