Which Bible Version Should I Use?

There are on average 2 new bible versions that appear on the market every year.  With all the bible versions around (over 200), which one should you use?

Below are some reasons to choose the King James Bible (also known as Authorised Version) for English speaking people.

Why the King James Bible?

  • Its accuracy

It has no missing verses!  Most modern translations remove whole verses (e.g. the NIV deletes 15 [1]).  The King James has all the verses and the right wording in each.

The New Testament Greek text of the King James was faithfully translated from preserved manuscripts which originated from Antioch, Syria, where the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).  5,322 manuscripts and the broad evidence of history support that line[2].  The manuscripts used in the translation of other versions (mostly 3 out of a total of 44 manuscripts) came from Alexandria, Egypt and were altered, added to and subtracted from by philosophers such as Origen who were not Christians.

  • Its fruit

For over 400 years, the King James Bible has led to revivals of faith in Jesus Christ and has had great success on the mission field.  No other version has produced such fruit.

  • Its precision

The King James uses classical English which enables there to be no room for misunderstanding key verses.  Other versions including King James lookalikes (e.g. the New King James) do not use classical English and therefore can have more than one interpretation.

E.g. in classical English, when one person is spoken to, ‘thee’ or ‘thou’ is used.  When more than one is spoken to, it is ‘you’ or ‘ye’.  If these are just replaced by ‘you’ as in modern versions, then it is not clear whether John 3:7 applies just to Nicodemus or to all people.

  • Its purity

Other versions have occult connections e.g. initially the NKJV used a symbol of three interwoven 6s (666) on its front cover (the same symbol is used in witchcraft, New Age and Satanism).  Also some bible versions are tailored for particular religions e.g. the New World Translation for Jehovah’s Witnesses.  In contrast, the King James Bible was not translated for a system of thought but stands alone as God’s word.

[1] Check Matt. 17:21, Matt. 18:11, Matt. 23:14, Mark 7:16, Mark 9:44, Mark 9:46, Mark 11:26, Mark 15:28, Luke 23:17, John 5:4, Acts 8:37, Acts 15:34, Acts 24:7, Acts 28:9, Romans 16:24.  See ‘Look What’s Missing’ by David W. Daniels (2009) California: Chick Publications.

[2] See ‘Answers to your Bible Version Questions’ by David W. Daniels (2003: page 15) California: Chick Publications.