The King James Bible is the simplest, yes, I said the simplest, to read.
It only has about 8000 different words as opposed to the NIV which has over 14,000 different words.
In comparisons of different translations for grade level placement, one scholar came to the following assessment:·
The King James averages grade level- 5.8 (fifth grade, eighth month)·
New International Version- 8.4·
New American Standard Bible- 6.1·
The English Version-7.2·
New KJV- 6.9
A comparison of words in the KJV and the NASB:
KJV NASB
Matt 1:11 carried away deportation
Luke 5:29 sat recline at the table
Matt 5:21 kill murder
Matt 5:19 Break annuls
You get the idea.(This is only a mall sampling. For more information on this issue go to “New Age Bible Versions” by G.A Riplinger, 1993 or http://www.hsnp.com/gok/bible18.html)
I am convinced the KJV is the most accurate English Bible commonly available. It does have some problems, but it came from superior transcripts and had more scholarly translators who actually believed the Bible was true. Some other translation’s translators didn’t really believe the Bible was true, especially concerning Creation, before they started and this has affected how they translated certain passages.
I know of people that have learned Greek and Hebrew to aid in their study of the Bible. They say that there is nothing like reading It in the original to get the full meaning, but the KJV comes closer than any of the other translations.
It also is written in the most beautiful form the English language has ever taken; Shakespearian English (No one actually spoke this way. It was a dialect used for artistic purposes). Not only is God’s Word worthy of being presented in the most beautiful form available, this near-poetic language is easier to memorize. You tell me what sticks in the brain better;
“First this: God created the Heavens and Earth--all you see, all you don't see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.” (The Message) or
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” (KJV)
Though similar, the later has a poetic cadence that makes it easier to memorize.
The unfamiliar words (form, void, etc) give you a perfect opportunity to increase your vocabulary. And since the new words are used in real life, you will remember them far better than if they had come from an abstract workbook page.
We do use other translations occasionally as study tools, to get a different perspective on a verse, but when there is a difference of translation, We generally go with the KJV.
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them (His Words), O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” (Ps.12:6-7)
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Ma.24:35).
“Cling to the whole Bible, not a part of it. A man can not do much with a broken sword.”
(All scripture is used with permission of the Author)
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