KING JAMES BIBLE...Inspired Word of God?

In the early 1600's Queen Elizabeth I died after a long reign in England. It was then that her Scottish cousin, King James VI succeeded her to inherit the throne of the King of England. From his lowly Kingdom in Scotland, he suddenly became King of all England...A poor King in Scotland, became the rich King of England overnight. Back in those days there was plenty of turmoil concerning which of the many "Bibles" showing up was the true Word of God. The two major Protestant factions at the time had the "Geneva Bible," published by a small team of Calvinists, and the "Bishops' Bible," published by the Queen, sporting a picture of her on the title page.


I was always taught from these three Bibles sprang the enormous amounts of other Bibles over the next 3-400 years. This biblical version chart will show you these versions. These are versions, not translations:

Bible Version Chart There are Bible versions not included on this chart. For a more comprehensive list of Bible versions offered by AllBibles.com, you can use the following link to shop by Bible Version. Version Abr. Year Example Grade Level Translation Type NOTES Alba House Gospels 1992 Not Available 7th Grade Dynamic This Catholic version was translated from the 3rd UBS Greek New Testament and the 26th edition of the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece by Mark Wauck. His goals are to render the text faithfully in contemporary American English. The words of Christ are cast in a poetic format. American Standard Version ASV 1901 1 Peter 3:15: ...but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: [being] ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meakness and fear... 12th Grade Formal Equivalent This translation was the work of the American committee which had consulted on the English Revised Version (1885), which was itself a revision of the King James Version American Translation New Testament 1923; Old Testament 1927; Apocrypha 1938 Not Available Not Available Dynamic Produced as a common-language version specifically for public reading use by Edgar Goodspeed, this version was intended as an improvement on the variety of new English translations becoming available at the time. Amplified Bible AMP New Testament 1958; Old Testament 1964; Revised 1987 1 Peter 3:15: But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. 11th Grade Dynamic This translation is really a mini-commentary which features a system of verse-end alternate translations and comments on different shades of meaning in the original languages. Biblia de las Americas LBLA 1986 Not Available Not Available Formal Equivalent This new literal Spanish translation from the original languages is stylistically equivalent to the NASB. Contemporary English Version CEV New Testament 1991; Old Testament 1995 1 Peter 3:15: Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope. 4th Grade Formal Equivalent This version seeks to be readable, yet faithful to the meaning of the original texts. Nouns describing God's actions (righteousness, salvation, etc.) are rendered in varying ways. This version avoids complicated language, obscure vocabulary and difficult sentence structure to produce a translation understandable to a wide variety of modern readers. Douay-Rheims New Testament 1609 Old Testament 1610 1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you. 9th-10th Grades Formal Equivalent This Roman Catholic translation was based on the Latin Vulgate (4th century), and was intended to counter the large number of Protestant English Bibles which appeared in the late 16th century. It reads much like the King James Version. Emphasized Bible New Testament 1878, 1897; Old Testament 1902 1 Peter 3:15: But the Lord Christ hallow ye in your hearts, ready always for defence unto every one that is asking you a reason concerning the hope within you, nevertheless, with meekness and reverence 12th Grade Formal Equivalent Joseph R. Rotherham's translation features special markings, indentations, and footnotes designed to convey the sense of Hebrew and Greek to the modern reader. English Standard Version ESV Fall 2001 1 Peter 3:15: but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 8th Grade Formal Equivalent The ESV uses the classic principles of word-for-word translation and literary excellence as exemplified by the KJV and most recently the RSV. Highly accurate, the ESV closely reflects the original meaning of the text in clear, readable, enduring English. English Version for the Deaf New Testament 1978; Old Testament 1986 1 Peter 3:15: But you should keep the Lord Christ holy in your hearts. Always be ready to answer every person who asks you to explain about the hope you have. 6th Grade Dynamic Not a simple English translation, but one which is carefully designed to accommodate the thought patterns and special language needs of the deaf. Geneva Bible New Testament 1602 1 Peter 3:15: But fanctifie the Lord God in your harts: and be ready alwaies to give an anfwer to enery man that asketh you a reafon of the hope that is in you. College Formal Equivalent This New Testament features a text which reads like the King James Version, accompanied by commentary reflecting the Puritan theological outlook. God's Word GW New Testament 1988; Old Testament 1995 1 Peter 3:15: But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence in God when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect. 4th-5th Grade Dynamic This revision utilizes the translation process employed by global mission organizations for translating the Bible into new foreign languages. The goal is to express the meaning of what appears in the forms of the original biblical languages into those expressing essentially the same meaning in modern English. Good News Version GNT New Testament 1966; Old Testament 1974, Revised 1993 1 Peter 3:15: But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you. 7th Grade Emphasis on Functional Equivalent A thought-for-thought translation theory called dynamic equivalence was used for this version. It uses common English throughout, and modern idioms are sometimes substituted for ancient ones in the interest of clarity. Holman Christian Standard Bible HCSB NT 2001 1 Peter 3:15: but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. NT 7th-8th Grade. When OT is available, it will be re-evaluated. Optimal Equivalence The HCSB is a combination of word-for-word and dynamic renderings that is both faithful to the words God inspired and user friendly to modern readers. Jerusalem Bible JER 1966 1 Peter 3:15: Simply reverence the Lord Christ in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have. 7th Grade Formal Equivalent Based on the French Bible de Jerusalem (1956), this Roman Catholic Bible is noted for its fine literary style, and is used across denominational lines. Jewish New Testament 1989 1 Peter 3:15: ...but treat the Messiah as holy, as Lord in your hearts; while remaining always ready to give a reasoned answer to anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you--yet with humility and fear... 8th Grade Formal Equivalent David H. Stern's modern translation from the Greek seeks to bring the Jewishness of the New Testament to the reader's attention by employing transliteration of Hebrew/Aramaic words (like Yeshua for Jesus) and Jewish cultural references. King James Version KJV 1611; Revised 1768 1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 12th Grade Formal Equivalent Commissioned by King James I of England, this translation is still recognized for the beauty of its language which dates from the time of William Shakespeare. Lamsa Bible 1933 Not Available Not Available Formal Equivalent A translation by George M. Lamsa which is based on the Eastern Peshitta manuscripts in Syriac, a language closely related to the Aramaic spoken by Jesus. Richmond Lattimore Translation of the New Testament 1996 1 Peter 3:15: but hallow the Lord Christ in your hearts, always ready to answer anyone who demands that you give a reason for the hope that is in you; but with gentleness and respect, with good conscience, 8th Grade Formal Equivalent Lattimore offers a simple, literal rendering of the New Testament that allows the syntax and order of the Greek dictate the character of the English style, without the pretensions of a Bible scholar. Living Bible LIV New Testament 1962; Old Testament 1971 1 Peter 3:15: Quietly trust yourself to Christ the Lord and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way. 8th Grade Paraphrase This paraphrase of the American Standard Version was an attempt by Kenneth L. Taylor to put the Bible in language his children could understand. It is useful for introducing the Bible to people who are unfamiliar with it. The Message MES New Testament 1993; Psalms 1994; Complete Bible, July 2002 1 Peter 3:15: Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. 7th Grade Paraphrase Pastor and biblical scholar Eugene H. Peterson's aim in developing this contemporary language version is to transfer the informal and earthy flavor of the Greek into the rhythms and idiom of everyday English. Modern Language Bible -- Berkley Version New Testament 1945;Revised 1969; Old Testament 1959 Not Available Not Available Formal Equivalent This fairly literal translation is expressed in clear, simple American English. Moffatt Bible 1926, Revised in 1935 1 Peter 3:15: . . .but reverence Christ as Lord in your own hearts. Always be ready with a reply for anyone who calls you to account for the hope you cherish, but answer gently and with a sense of reverence 7th Grade Not Available James Moffatt's modern speech translation features some text rearrangement according to his understanding of biblical chronology and many Anglicisms. Montgomery New Testament 1924 Not Available Not Available Formal Equivalent This is the only modern speech translation of the New Testament produced by a woman. Helen Barrett Montgomery's translation is marked by a conversational style, with the text arranged into paragraphs. New American Bible NAB 1970; NT revised 1986; Psalms revised 1992 1 Peter 3:15: . . . But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope. 11th Grade Dynamic This is the first complete American Catholic Bible translated from the original languages. Its style is more direct than that of the Jerusalem Bible. New American Standard NASB New Testament 1963; Whole Bible 1971, Revised 1995 1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. 11th Grade Formal Equivalent Especially popular among Evangelicals and others who want a word-for-word translation of the original manuscripts, this translation was prepared as an update of the 1901 American Standard Version (ASV). New Century Version NCV New Testament 1978; Old Testament 1986 1 Peter 3:15: But respect Christ as the holy Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope that you have. 3rd Grade Formal Equivalent From the translators of the International Children's Version, this conservative evangelical translation is in simple English, designed to be easy to read. New English Bible NEB New Testament 1961; Old Testament 1970 1 Peter 3:15: do not be perfurbed, but hold the Lord Christ in reverence in your hearts. Be always ready with your defence whenever you are called to account for the hope that is in you, but make that defense with modesty and respect. 8th Grade Dynamic The first British Bible to be translated from the original languages since the King James Version, this is a thought-by-thought translation in modern British English. It has been replaced, for the most part, by the Revised English Bible. New International Version NIV New Testament 1973; Old Testament 1978 1 Peter 3:15: But in your hearts set aside Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 7th Grade Primarily functional equivalent with some attention to formal considerations Called "international" because it is transdenominational and contains the work of many scholars from many English-speaking nations, the NIV is a straightforward translation in contemporary English. New International Readers' Version NIrV 1996 1 Peter 3:15: But make sure in your hearts that Christ is Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope you have. Be ready to give the reason for it. But do it gently and with respect. 3rd Grade Simple Functional Equivalent The NIrV is a simplified version of the NIV, developed by the same translation team that prepared the NIV. Very easy reading, designed for children as a stepping stone to the NIV, as well as those for whom English is a second language. New Jerusalem Bible NJB 1985 1 Peter 3:15: Simply proclaim the Lord Christ holy in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you have. 9th Grade Not Available An update of the Jerusalem Bible, with revised footnotes and more dignified language. New Jewish Translation Torah 1962; Nevi'im 1978; Kethubim 1982; Tanakh 1985 Not Available 12th Grade Formal Equivalent A modern language translation of the Jewish Scriptures (Christian Old Testament); of special interest to students of the Old Testament. New King James Version NKJV 1982 1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. 8th Grade Formal Equivalent This translation updates the language of the King James Version, changing archaic inflections and obsolete words, while preserving its basic literary structure. New Life Bible New Testament 1969; Old Testament 1986 Not Available Not Available Dynamic Missionaries Gleason and Kathyrn Ledyard's work in the Canadian arctic inspired them to develop a simple language version which breaks down difficult concepts into simple phrases. New Living Translation NLT 1996 I Peter 3:15: Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 6th-7th Grades Functional Equivalent Using Kenneth Taylor's paraphrase, The Living Bible, as a base, a team of 90 Bible scholars worked for seven years, carefully comparing each verse with the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures to produce a true translation that is accurate and easy to understand. New Revised Standard Version NRSV 1990 1 Peter 3:15: . . . But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you. 10th Grade Emphasis on Functional Equivalent An update of the Revised Standard Version (1952), this translation incorporates changes resulting from archaeological and textual discoveries in recent decades. J. B. Phillips' New Testament in Modern English 1958, Revised 1972 1 Peter 3:15: ...simply concentrate on being completely devoted to Christ in your hearts. Be ready at any time to give a quiet and reverent answer to any man who wants a reason for the hope that you have within you. 9th Grade Essentially Formal Equivalent Cast in striking modern British English, this translation uses phrase-by-phrase equivalents. Reina Valera RV60 1569, Revised 1909, 1960, and 1977 1 Peter 3:15: sino santificad a Dios el Senor en vuestros corazones, y estad siempre preparados para presentar defensa con mansedumbre y reverencia ante todo el que os demande razon de la esparanza que hay en vosotros; 10th Grade Emphasis on Formal Equivalent This Spanish-language Protestant Bible is stylistically equivalent to the KJV (1569, 1909 revisions), the RSV (1960), NRSV (1990) or the NAS (1977) Revised English Bible REB 1989 1 Peter 3:15: ...but hold Christ in your hearts in reverence as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense when anyone challenges you to justify the hope which is in you. But do so with courtesy and respect. 6th Grade Emphasis on Functional Equivalent This revision of the New English Bible, which began in 1973, features clear, contemporary international English. This text is intended for both private reading and public worship. Revised Standard Version RSV New Testament 1946; Old Testament 1952, Revised 1971 1 Peter 3:15: ...but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; 7th Grade Formal Equivalent A revision of the American Standard Version (1901), the RSV was intended to preserve the best of that version while incorporating modern English. Simple English Bible 1980 Not Available Not Available Emphasis on Functional Equivalent This translation is based on a working text used for the production of modern foreign Bibles. It has a 3,000-word vocabulary and the sentence structure commonly found in newspapers and magazines. The Schocken Bible Volume 1: The Five Books of Moses 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995 Not Available 10th Grade Emphasis on Functional Equivalent Translated by Everett Fox, this translation seeks to retain the full force of the rhetoric and poetry of the original languages and recover layers of meaning that have been lost in other recent translations. Twenty-first Century King James Version 1994 1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. 8th Grade Emphasis on Functional Equivalent An updating of archaic language, punctuation, etc. of the original 1611 KJV for 21st Century readers, that safeguards the integrity and beauty of the original KJV. Tyndale New Testament 1525, Revised 1534 1 Peter 3:15: ...but fancifye the Lorde God in your hartes. Be redy alwayes to geve an anfwere to every man that axeth you a refon of the hope that is in you/and that with meaknes and feare... College Emphasis on Functional Equivalent William Tyndale's determination to produce a translation readable by common people eventually led to his death. Although controversial, the Tyndale New Testament had a great impact on the language of the KJV. Weymouth New Testament 1890, Revised 1912 1 Peter 3:15: ...but in your hearts consecrate Christ as Lord, being always ready to make your defense to any one who asks from you a reason for the hope which you cherish... 10th Grade Emphasis on Functional Equivalent Richard F. Weymouth produced this translation in the contemporary English of his time. Worrell New Testament 1904 Not Available Not Available Emphasis on Formal Equivalent A. S. Worrell sought to update the accuracy and grammar of the King James Version in his translation of the New Testament and included his personal study notes in it as well. Wuest Expanded Translation New Testament Gospels 1956; Acts-Ephesians 1958; Philippians-Revelation 1959 Not Available Not Available Emphasis on Formal Equivalent Kenneth Wuest sought to use as many English words as were necessary to bring out the force and clarity of the Greek text. This version follows Greek word order and seeks to differentiate between the various verb tenses in that language. Young's Literal Translation 1862, Revised 1887 1 Peter 3:15: ...and the Lord God sanctify in your hearts. And [be] ready always for defence to every one who is asking of you in account concerning the hope that [is] in you, with meakness and fear; 8th-9th Grades Formal Equivalent Robert Young sought to correct certain inaccuracies in the King James Version in this very literal translation.

For those of you who like to keep count that is 49 versions of what believer's call "The Word of God."
Each version has been translated into many languages and so on...You get the picture. It's kind of like finding "Waldo," a kid's game, because everything looks so similar, feels so similar, and after all, they are all Bibles, right? Hold that thought while we explore further...


After some study and the help of our friend, Google, I have gained some insight on the versions that will curl your toes, fellow believers, so here goes:

1. Many of the versions dilute, detract or destroy the Pre-Eminence of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Redeemer, or His blood sacrifice for mankind. The comparison below is worth your time and effort to understand in detail.
2. These same versions delete or omit critical verbiage from the original translated text at will.
3. Finally you will see original translated passages lined out in RED, so that they are eliminated altogether in the New Testament. 

Hard to believe you say? Who would want to muddy the water of life, just enough to cause derisiveness in the ranks of God? Who could do it so delicately over centuries that God's own would accept heresy in place of the genuine article? It's one thing to have reasonable discussion and debate on the meaning of passages or words...It's one thing to share the wisdom from years of a close walk with God...This is none of that! What I will point out in great detail key comparative results of the three most popular versions, so that there can be no question in your mind why these 49 versions, plus various printed editions exist. Here are those versions used and their print dates:

1. New International               (NIV) 1984
2. New American Standard    (NASB) 1977
3. New World Translation      (NWT) 1984

On the surface these look harmless, and the average person would think that since most of these are quite similar to the King James Version, they must be OK. All of my sources stop just short of calling any of these, "changes," "alterations," or "improvements," part of any type of conspiracy, but I disagree. Not only do we have conspiracy, we have scriptural fraud under the guise of "new and improved!" 

Treating the Holy Word of God like a box of Tide washing detergent is degrading to our Creator, and all those authors who spent years of their lifetimes sharing what the Holy Spirit of God Almighty inspired them to write for us. Fortunately we have researchers who have spent years compiling data for us to use when choosing Bibles. Worse than the this, the authors of these "Bibles" claim that nothing has been changed. Their RAISON D'ÊTRE is nothing but a shell game of momentous proportion.

In the second part of this post #24, we will go verse by verse over some rugged terrain, exposing the depths of this fraudulent depravity, and we will discuss original texts, in original language for our own enlightenment. Jesus says in the Book of Mark, "Heaven and Earth shall pass way, but my WORDS shall not pass away." In Revelation 22:18 we are specifically warned not to change, add or omit from this book of prophecy. God, the Prophets, and the Apostles all state inextricably, "DO NOT TOUCH," when it comes to Inspired Scripture, and yet it's happening in front of our noses all the time. 


In the meantime, ask God for divine wisdom in dealing with this important issue. Next week I will supply the foder, that brings into the light what darkness has been doing for many years...


God bless your study of his Word. He hasn't needed our help so far, and I am certain, he does not need it now. Forewarned is forearmed in the fight for righteousness.




The Digital Disciple