« | Song of Solomon 4 | » |
1 Behold, you [are] fair, my love! Behold, you [are] fair! You [have] dove's eyes behind your veil. Your hair [is] like a flock of goats, Going down from Mount Gilead.
2 Your teeth [are] like a flock of shorn [sheep] Which have come up from the washing, Every one of which bears twins, And none [is] barren among them.
3 Your lips [are] like a strand of scarlet, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil [Are] like a piece of pomegranate.
4 Your neck [is] like the tower of David, Built for an armory, On which hang a thousand bucklers, All shields of mighty men.
5 Your two breasts [are] like two fawns, Twins of a gazelle, Which feed among the lilies.
6 Until the day breaks And the shadows flee away, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense.
7 You [are] all fair, my love, And [there is] no spot in you.
8 Come with me from Lebanon, [my] spouse, With me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amana, From the top of Senir and Hermon, From the lions' dens, From the mountains of the leopards.
9 You have ravished my heart, My sister, [my] spouse; You have ravished my heart With one [look] of your eyes, With one link of your necklace.
10 How fair is your love, My sister, [my] spouse! How much better than wine is your love, And the scent of your perfumes Than all spices!
11 Your lips, O [my] spouse, Drip as the honeycomb; Honey and milk [are] under your tongue; And the fragrance of your garments [Is] like the fragrance of Lebanon.
12 A garden enclosed [Is] my sister, [my] spouse, A spring shut up, A fountain sealed.
13 Your plants [are] an orchard of pomegranates With pleasant fruits, Fragrant henna with spikenard,
14 Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, With all the chief spices --
15 A fountain of gardens, A well of living waters, And streams from Lebanon. THE SHULAMITE
16 Awake, O north [wind,] And come, O south! Blow upon my garden, [That] its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden And eat its pleasant fruits. THE BELOVED
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.