Do you really think that the KJV possessed the actual original manuscripts from the original writers/old testament prophets/new testament apostles, etc., that is the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts? Really?
They did a good job of translating the limited set of manuscripts that they had into a form of English that is now no longer in use. If you read the KJV preface, they wrote that they used earlier English translations in their work and, more importantly, expected their work to be modified over time.
I have posted the preface that explains somewhat about the manuscripts King James and his committee used.,which states
"That out of the Originall sacred tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our owne and other forreigne Languages, of many worthy men who went before us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures into the English tongue; your MAJESTIE did never desist, to urge and to excite those to whom it was commended, that the worke might be hastened, and that the businesse might be expedited in so decent a maner, as a matter of such importance might justly require."
I'm commenting base on what I believe to be true! No one has to believe what I say, but I have listed a few scriptures below.
If you will notice in the preface, there is no where that states they expected their work to be modified. In fact they said the work was a final work as they continued the work of those that came before them, then brought the work to a conclusion. Also there is a prayer for God's grace and protection to gives continuance to
honest and Christian endevours, against bitter censures, and uncharitable imputations. This statement alone is praying for protection "against" accusations of having done something wrong in the work, and disapproval of the work.
Now, notice the entire preface; it is a prayer from a King to the Majesty on High to accept the work that he has done and the King prays to the Majesty on High for work to be approved by Him and blessed by Him.
The King dedicates and presents the work to God stating,
"There are infinite arguments of this right Christian and Religious affection in your MAJESTIE: but none is more forcible to declare it to others, then the vehement and perpetuated desire of the accomplishing and publishing of this Worke, which now with all humilitie we present unto your MAJESTIE."
I'm making this point because the prayer and dedication by a King, King James, to God is held sacred by God. A King's dedication and prayer to God is either for good or for bad. However, in this case, it was for good, because God's word was being honored and the work was a work of God's salvation for all men. God honors this work based on the King's positions and title which only God ordained. I can absolutely make this statement to be a fact based on certain scriptures.
Daniel 2:21, "... he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:"
Romans 13:1, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the power that be are ordained by God."
Proverbs 21:1, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it withersoever he will."
1 Peter 2:13-14, ..."submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king as supreme: 14 or unto governors as unto them that are sent by Him..."
So we must be carful to oppose work that was dedicated to God by a King who God set up. King James made reference to those who would oppose his work in his prayer, so because of that, I would be carful. Anyone who opposes the work of King James is in fact opposing God's blessing toward His Own work.
Because those who came after King James were not set up by God nor established to do this work. They made changes base on their opposition to the work, which King James prayed about, a prayer that God would have honored from a King He set up. Here is the prayer, "...we may rest secure, supported within by the trueth and innocencie of a good conscience, having walked the wayes of simplicitie and integritie, as before the Lord;
And sustained without, by the powerfull Protection of your Majesties grace and favour, which will ever give countenance to honest and Christian endevours, against bitter censures, and uncharitable imputations.
I would be careful!
King James Version - Original Preface [1611]
Epistle and Dedicatorie
To the most high and mightie Prince, James by the grace of God
King of Great Britaine, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith , &c.
The translators of
The Bible, wish Grace, Mercie, and Peace, through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Great and manifold were the blessings (most dread Soveraigne) which Almighty GOD, the Father of all Mercies, bestowed upon us the people of ENGLAND, when first he sent your Majesties Royall person to rule and raigne over us. For whereas it was the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our ZION, that upon the setting of that bright
Occidentall Starre Queene ELIZABETH of most happy memory, some thicke and palpable cloudes of darkenesse would so have overshadowed this land, that men should have bene in doubt which way they were to walke, and that it should hardly be knowen, who was to direct the unsetled State: the appearance of your MAJESTIE, as of the
Sunne in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists, and gave unto all that were well affected, exceeding cause of comfort; especially when we beheld the government established in your HIGHNESSE, and your hopefull Seed, by an undoubted Title, and this also accompanied with Peace and tranquillitie, at home and abroad.
But amongst all our Joyes, there was no one that more filled our hearts, then the blessed continuance of the Preaching of GODS sacred word amongst us, which is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth, because the fruit thereof extendeth it selfe, not onely to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that Eternall happinesse which is above in Heaven.
Then, not to suffer this to fall to the ground, but rather to take it up, and to continue it in that state, wherein the famous predecessour of your HIGHNESSE did leave it; Nay, to goe forward with the confidence and resolution of a man in maintaining the trueth of CHRIST, and propagating it farre and neere, is that which hath so bound and firmely knit the hearts of all your MAJESTIES loyall and Religious people unto you, that your very Name is precious among them, their eye doeth behold you with comfort, and they blesse you in their hearts, as that sanctified person, who under GOD, is the immediate authour of their true happinesse. And this their contentment doeth not diminish or decay, but every day increaseth and taketh strength, when they observe that the zeale of your Majestie towards the house of GOD, doth not slacke or goe backward, but is more and more kindled, manifesting it selfe abroad in the furthest parts of
Christendome, by writing in defence of the Trueth, (which hath given such a blow unto that man of Sinne, as will not be healed) and every day at home, by Religious and learned discourse, by frequenting the house of GOD, by hearing the word preached, by cherishing the teachers therof, by caring for the Church as a most tender and loving nourcing Father.
There are infinite arguments of this right Christian and Religious affection in your MAJESTIE: but none is more forcible to declare it to others, then the vehement and perpetuated desire of the accomplishing and publishing of this Worke, which now with all humilitie we present unto your MAJESTIE. For when your Highnesse had once out of deepe judgment apprehended, how convenient it was, That out of the Originall sacred tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our owne and other forreigne Languages, of many worthy men who went before us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures into the
English tongue; your MAJESTIE did never desist, to urge and to excite those to whom it was commended, that the worke might be hastened, and that the businesse might be expedited in so decent a maner, as a matter of such importance might justly require.
And now at last, by the Mercy of GOD, and the continuance of our Labours,
it being brought unto such a conclusion, as that we have great hope that the Church of
England shall reape good fruit thereby; we hold it our duety to offer it to your MAJESTIE, not onely as to our King and Soveraigne, but as to the principall moover and Author of the Worke. Humbly craving of your most Sacred Majestie, that since things of this quality have ever bene subject to the censures of ill meaning and discontented persons, it may receive approbation and Patronage from so learned and judicious a Prince as your Highnesse is, whose allowance and acceptance of our Labours, shall more honour us and incourage us, then all the calumniations and hard interpretations of other men shall dismay us. So that, if on the one side we shall be traduced by Popish persons at home or abroad, who therefore will maligne us, because we are poore Instruments to make GODS holy Trueth to be yet more and more knowen unto the people, whom they desire still to keepe in ignorance and darknesse: or if on the other side, we shall be maligned by selfe-conceited brethren, who runne their owne wayes, and give liking unto nothing but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their Anvile; we may rest secure, supported within by the trueth and innocencie of a good conscience, having walked the wayes of simplicitie and integritie, as before the Lord;
And sustained without, by the powerfull Protection of your Majesties grace and favour, which will ever give countenance to honest and Christian endevours, against bitter censures, and uncharitable imputations.
The LORD of Heaven and earth blesse your Majestie with many and happy dayes, that as his Heavenly hand hath enriched your Highnesse with many singular, and extraordinary Graces; so you may be the wonder of the world in this later age, for happinesse and true felicitie, to the honour of that Great GOD, and the good of his Church, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord and onely Saviour.
