To be frank, I could be called 'KJV only', even though I don't think everything in the KJV or NKJV is the best possible rendering into English.
I don't really rely upon English translations at all like I used to, but most people don't have the priviledge of being able to read Greek or Hebrew and possess the extra books and materials required to study the original languages.
And when I talk to others in my area who are mostly English speaking or at least as a working language, I simply cannot use modern translations that delete thousands of words from the New Testament, and pepper it with stupid footnotes that cast doubt upon every 2nd page of the bible.
These flaws are so painful and distracting that I now only use the KJV as a 'working' bible. I also don't like bibles that have no proper (real, useful) footnotes, namely CROSS-REFERENCES and translational notes. I can't effectively use those either. And 'small print' bibles are also a real hassle, both to read without reading-glasses (the text of the bible is hard enough without squinting) and for actually FINDING the passages you are looking for.
As a result, I often buy LARGE PRINT Centre-column Reference Bibles with the Black leather covers (KJV) such as are printed and sold cheaply by Zondervan and distributed by Chapters book chains etc.
Again, one might say, why the fancy covers? If you've ever worn out a paperback in less than three days, by reading it through once, and having the binding crack, and pages fall out, you know what I mean. The only really useful bible is one that is properly bound and that will last more than two weeks of service in a variety of conditions, from being carried and dropped, to standing in the rain reading aloud.
The Leatherbound LargePrint KJV with Centrecolumn notes is ideal, solving four problems at the same time.
It also happens to be a largely reliable and familiar translation, which, while not perfect, is certainly practical. The few dozen places where the translation is obscure are easily memorized or corrected with a few marginal notes of my own.
I would just as readily buy a NEW KJV if they offered them in LARGE PRINT , Good Bindings, Centre Column reference. I have seen them occasionally in Christian bookstores, but I no longer travel so much, or see them. The Bookstores tend to carry only the KJV in the format I find essential. Also, special orders are expensive and a nuisance.
The KJV is the poor man's solution to several practical problems, and the language isn't that difficult most of the time. And if you need clarification, just carry a pocket NIV or NKJV and use as needed.
