« | Song of Solomon 8 |
1 Oh, that you were like my brother, Who nursed at my mother's breasts! [If] I should find you outside, I would kiss you; I would not be despised.
2 I would lead you [and] bring you Into the house of my mother, She [who] used to instruct me. I would cause you to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate. (TO THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM)
3 His left hand [is] under my head, And his right hand embraces me.
4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, Do not stir up nor awaken love Until it pleases. A RELATIVE
5 Who [is] this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved? I awakened you under the apple tree. There your mother brought you forth; There she [who] bore you brought [you] forth. THE SHULAMITE TO HER BELOVED
6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love [is as] strong as death, Jealousy [as] cruel as the grave; Its flames [are] flames of fire, A most vehement flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised. THE SHULAMITE's BROTHERS
8 We have a little sister, And she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister In the day when she is spoken for?
9 If she [is] a wall, We will build upon her A battlement of silver; And if she [is] a door, We will enclose her With boards of cedar. THE SHULAMITE
10 I [am] a wall, And my breasts like towers; Then I became in his eyes As one who found peace.
11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon; He leased the vineyard to keepers; Everyone was to bring for its fruit A thousand silver coins. (TO SOLOMON)
12 My own vineyard [is] before me. You, O Solomon, [may have] a thousand, And those who tend its fruit two hundred. THE BELOVED
13 You who dwell in the gardens, The companions listen for your voice -- Let me hear it! THE SHULAMITE
14 Make haste, my beloved, And be like a gazelle Or a young stag On the mountains of spices.
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.