Kings James Version why the best ?

coons786c

Regular Member
Feb 23, 2007
485
6
Port Saint Lucie
✟9,473.00
Country
United States
Faith
Marital Status
Married
OK, I just joined this forum. I am right now trying to decide to switch from the KJV to the NKJV, after 55 years of reading the KJV, so I'd like some SERIOUS thoughts on the NKJV of the Bible. Good, or not?

Do a search kjv vs nkjv. The nkjv leaves out important verses of scripture and important meanings to words. Stay with the KJV. All others do the same.
 
Upvote 0

L0NEW0LF

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Jul 20, 2012
298
9
✟8,018.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
There is a common misconception that the NKJV merely updates the KJV text into modern English. This is not the case. The KJV and NKJV are about as similar as the KJV and ESV/NASB are. I personally believe that the NKJV is pointless. It's not just an update to the KJV, as many falsely believe, and it's not as good as the ESV or NASB, or even the HCSB. Of course, this is just my opinion and many will disagree with me. My recommendation is always to pair the PCE KJV with the ESV Study Bible as your main set of Bibles. Having the NASB, HCSB, NRSV, among others, to occasionally consult with is also a good idea. For someone that wants to just switch from the KJV to something else all together I suggest either the ESV (2011) or the NASB (1995). I would go with the ESV due to the ESV Study Bible being phenomenal.
 
Upvote 0

coons786c

Regular Member
Feb 23, 2007
485
6
Port Saint Lucie
✟9,473.00
Country
United States
Faith
Marital Status
Married
There is a common misconception that the NKJV merely updates the KJV text into modern English. This is not the case. The KJV and NKJV are about as similar as the KJV and ESV/NASB are. I personally believe that the NKJV is pointless. It's not just an update to the KJV, as many falsely believe, and it's not as good as the ESV or NASB, or even the HCSB. Of course, this is just my opinion and many will disagree with me. My recommendation is always to pair the PCE KJV with the ESV Study Bible as your main set of Bibles. Having the NASB, HCSB, NRSV, among others, to occasionally consult with is also a good idea. For someone that wants to just switch from the KJV to something else all together I suggest either the ESV (2011) or the NASB (1995). I would go with the ESV due to the ESV Study Bible being phenomenal.

I found a PCE KJV Ezra 2:26 GEBA and love it. I read it all the time. It was brand new probably late 1960's world publishers from iowa KJV family bible.

There are also Pure Cambridge text at barnes and noble. The text is pure but the pages are pictures from the renissance period.
 
Upvote 0

L0NEW0LF

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Jul 20, 2012
298
9
✟8,018.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
I would like to expand on what coons786c has said regarding a Pure Cambridge Edition of the King James Version, of which he has found at Barnes and Noble. I have ordered one myself and it is due to arrive Tuesday of next week, by which time I will be able to confirm what he has said about this being a Pure Cambridge Edition. For those interested, this Bible is by Skyhorse Publishing. It retails for $60, but Barnes and Noble is currently selling some of them at $15 per Bible as part of their "bargain books." These "bargain books," according to Barnes and Noble, are books that the publishers have marked down for being imperfect. Again according to Barnes and Noble, these imperfect books are brand new in every way, with the exception of either a small ding or hole in the cover, or a black scuff mark on the outside of the pages while the book is closed. This Bible is huge; over 6 pounds. It apparently has art work to go with it. If this is truly a Pure Cambridge Edition, and I don't doubt that it is, this $15 pricetag is a phenomenal deal. Remember, this is only available on their website, however.

Regarding a nearly Pure Cambridge Edition that I already own:

A Pure Cambridge Edition of the King James Version can be identified using a 12 point test, plus 2, if you will.

1. "or Sheba" not "and Sheba" in Joshua 19:2
2. "sin" not "sins" in 2 Chronicles 33:19
3. "Spirit of God" not "spirit of God" in Job 33:4
4. "whom ye" not "whom he" in Jeremiah 34:16
5. "Spirit of God" not "spirit of God" in Ezekiel 11:24
6. "flieth" not "feeth" in Nahum 3:16
7. "Spirit" not "spirit" in Matthew 4:1
8. "further" not "farther" in Matthew 26:39
9. "bewrayeth" not "betrayeth" in Matthew 26:73
10. "Spirit" not "spirit" in Mark 1:12
11. "spirit" not "Spirit" in Acts 11:28
12. "spirit" not "Spirit" in 1 John 5:8

Also, "Geba" not "Gaba" in Ezra 2:26 and "spirit" not "Spirit" in Acts 11:12.

I have the Cambridge Cameo Edition of the KJV, which can be found on the Cambridge website. It passes every test except for number 12. Apparently this is the Pure Cambridge Edition in every other way, except that an unauthorized person made a change to the word "spirit," capitalizing it. However, this is excuseable, not only because it is difficult to find a Pure Cambridge Edition, but also because, even equally as rare, this edition contains the Apocrypha. A KJV Bible with the Apocrypha that is one capitalized letter away from being %100 Pure Cambridge Edition is truly special.
 
Upvote 0

ebia

Senior Contributor
Jul 6, 2004
41,711
2,142
A very long way away. Sometimes even further.
✟54,775.00
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Politics
AU-Greens
L0NEW0LF said:
A KJV Bible with the Apocrypha that is one capitalized letter away from being %100 Pure Cambridge Edition is truly special.
given that the original manuscripts were written in a language without capitals verses lowercase, that's seriously straining at gnats ...
 
Upvote 0

Keachian

On Sabbatical
Feb 3, 2010
7,096
330
34
Horse-lie-down
Visit site
✟16,342.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
given that the original manuscripts were written in a language without capitals verses lowercase, that's seriously straining at gnats ...

Well when you're straining horseflies, you may as well strain gnats as well...
 
Upvote 0

L0NEW0LF

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Jul 20, 2012
298
9
✟8,018.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
It's a very small error. There's no doubt about it. We PCE KJV folks would much rather have a 100% PCE Bible than not. Think of it this way: Would you rather have a brand new car blemish free, or a brand new car that happens to have a small, microscopic scratch? It really makes little difference, but you would take the blemish free car for good measure. One capitalized letter is no reason to avoid such a high quality Bible unless you can or have found a perfect PCE KJV.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

L0NEW0LF

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Jul 20, 2012
298
9
✟8,018.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
Note that I am very serious about having proper texts. Other than recommending the true and proper text of the PCE KJV, I also recommend that people make sure that their ESV Bibles have the 2011 text and not the 2007 text. The 2007 text is still very common, ESPECIALLY with the ESV Study Bible.
 
Upvote 0

Timothew

Conditionalist
Aug 24, 2009
9,659
840
✟21,514.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
It's a very small error. There's no doubt about it. We PCE KJV folks would much rather have a 100% PCE Bible than not. Think of it this way: Would you rather have a brand new car blemish free, or a brand new car that happens to have a small, microscopic scratch? It really makes little difference, but you would take the blemish free car for good measure. One capitalized letter is no reason to avoid such a high quality Bible unless you can or have found a perfect PCE KJV.

If you want a brand new car, would you settle for an imitation of a brand new car? If you are that serious about having the proper text, learn the original languages and read from the "proper" texts yourself.
Why read an imitation of the text (a translation) when you could read from the text itself?
 
Upvote 0

L0NEW0LF

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Jul 20, 2012
298
9
✟8,018.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
When I come to the point in my life where things start to slow down and I can dedicate myself to such a task I absolutely will. For now, I'm a hard working husband and father of two young children. I hardly have enough free time for the simple things, thus I will have to stick to my native language for now.
 
Upvote 0

Keachian

On Sabbatical
Feb 3, 2010
7,096
330
34
Horse-lie-down
Visit site
✟16,342.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
When I come to the point in my life where things start to slow down and I can dedicate myself to such a task I absolutely will. For now, I'm a hard working husband and father of two young children. I hardly have enough free time for the simple things, thus I will have to stick to my native language for now.

I can tell you without a doubt that your native language is not Early Modern English, or as is probably a better description Stately Early Modern English.
 
Upvote 0

L0NEW0LF

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Jul 20, 2012
298
9
✟8,018.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
I can tell you without a doubt that your native language is not Early Modern English, or as is probably a better description Stately Early Modern English.

No, but it is still English and is still easy to get used after awhile. I'm a big fan of it, actually. It's beautiful and elegant and poetic. I do understand that it's not very everyone, and while I recommend a PCE KJV as a primary over all other English Bibles, I find it necessary to use other translations as well.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Timothew

Conditionalist
Aug 24, 2009
9,659
840
✟21,514.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
When I come to the point in my life where things start to slow down and I can dedicate myself to such a task I absolutely will. For now, I'm a hard working husband and father of two young children. I hardly have enough free time for the simple things, thus I will have to stick to my native language for now.
No problem. I don't have time to learn ancient english either.
I don't find it "beautiful" or "elegant", but I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, eh?
 
Upvote 0

L0NEW0LF

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Jul 20, 2012
298
9
✟8,018.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
No problem. I don't have time to learn ancient english either.
I don't find it "beautiful" or "elegant", but I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, eh?

PSALM 23 (KJV)
THE LORD is my shepard; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Beautiful. Elegant. Poetic.
 
Upvote 0

Keachian

On Sabbatical
Feb 3, 2010
7,096
330
34
Horse-lie-down
Visit site
✟16,342.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
Actually I prefer the New Jerusalem Bible's rendering of Psalm 23

Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing
In grassy meadows he lets me lie

By tranquil streams he leads me to restore my spirit
He guides me in paths of saving justice as befits his name.
Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death
I should fear no danger, for you are at my side
Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me.

You prepare a table for me under the eyes of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup brims over.

Kindness and faithful love pursue me every day of my life.
I make my home in the house of Yahweh for all time to come.
 
Upvote 0

ebedmelech

My dog Micah in the pic
Supporter
Jul 3, 2012
8,998
678
✟187,689.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
The King James is an excellent translation with the poetic beauty of Elizabethan English. However it's English that's rarely spoken anymore. That's why the KJV is no longer best seller. I read it for years.

I favor the New American Standard Bible now but I like the NKJV,, NIV, and ESV. Of the paraphrases I like the New Living Translation best.

The newer translations also take into account the latest manuscript evidence.

I remember Jack Hyles also. Heard Him preach a few times. I believe he's pretty much of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Church which I went to after I was saved. I attended for about 6 years but I left that fellowship as I didn't accept the total dispensational package and much of the eschatology as I studied the scriptures.

Great church to get rooted and grounded in the essentials though.

Some KJV Only types act as if God handed to us for print...:D
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums