question about the KJV Bible?

Question

i know the KJV is probably the best Bible for me to read based on accuracy...but i find it so difficult to read and understand. however, i know i want to stick to the KJV, is there a way i can become more comfortable with the language and understand it better? also, where can i buy inexpensive Bibles??

Answer 1

I, personally, prefer the KJV also and have a lot of people tell me that it is difficult for them to keep up with the language also- I suggest getting a NKJV and an NIV and read the same scriptures in them to help being a little understanding.
Once you get the hang of the meanings of thee's and thy's and recognize the "eth" only comes at the end of verbs, it will be a lot easier to understand what you are reading.

I never have trouble finding Bibles at the local dollar store -

Answer 2

For a free copy of the King James Bible call 1-800-796-1441 if you're in the US or Canada. If you're outside there, then email me and I will see if I can find a local number.

In actual fact the King James is not the most accurate translation. That would probably be the Revised Standard Version or the New International Version. The easiest to read without losing too much accuracy is probably the Good News Version. Avoid newer ones like The Message Bible or The Amplified Bible since these are basically paraphrases and can be biased towards certain understandings.

Many people prefer to use the King James, however, including me. I did my degree in English literature, and after reading Beowulf and Chaucer the Bible is an absolute doddle! However, I don't recommend taking that route to gaining a better understanding. The one which will be sent to you if you call the number has lots of footnotes explaining what the old fashioned words mean so that might help. Also, don't start with Genesis and work your way though - I'd be impressed if you ever made it to Numbers. Read Mark's or Luke's gospel first, and then perhaps Acts, then an epistle or two.

I think the trick too is to take it slowly, pray before you read, and think and pray carefully about what the passage is saying. God has said He will speak to us when we read the scriptures, so allow Him to do so and let the Holy Spirit tell you what the passage means.

Answer 3

I LOVE the KJV.
I love God's word.
I really do...I love it.
Some would say I am obsessed with it.
Perhaps.

In any event, from this perspective...this is what I personally recommend:
Buy this Bible for a few bucks from Amazon (or anywhere else you can find it real cheap. who cares if it is a little used):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/031092412X/ref=sr_1_olp_4/105-5952666-6279620?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193867178&sr=8-4

It is an NIV version...with lots of notes and explanations which are very beneficial.

Also, consider buying a "Parallel" Bible...which on each page will have several versions of the Bible...for you to read and compare each version. If you have trouble picking one, consider one that has various "ways" of translating. for instance, it should have a very literal translation (KJV, NASB, or even ESV)...plus a translation like the NIV...and then one that translates "thought for thought", like the Message. Thought for Thought Bibles are not "bad", but they DO include some degree of interpretation...so it is good to compare.

If you are really serious, you can by an Interlinear Bible, which will have the English AND the Greek words right there for you to see. Most have a Greek dictionary and explanation in the back so you can see exactly what the original writer wrote...and get a better idea of exactly what they meant.

In general, Study Bibles are very helpful...and can add a lot of understanding.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the whole Bible is a classic and almost universally accepted commentary that many people (especially pastors, etc) read to help understand the Bible.

...but I am really starting to digress! ;)

Inexpensive used Bibles can be found online: ebay, amazon,etc.

If you go to a Christian book store, usually they have a bunch of KJVs for $1....and NIVs for not much more. Study bibles tend to be a little more expensive, which is why I pointed you to some used ones at amazon, above!

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Feel free to email me for any other questions, etc.

God bless!

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Answer 4

How accurate is the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures:

Old Testament:
In fact, the New World Translation is a scholarly work. In 1989, Professor Benjamin Kedar of Israel said:
"In my linguistic research in connection with the Hebrew Bible and translation, I often refer to the English edition as what is known as the New World Translation. In doing so, I find my feeling repeatedly confirmed that this kind of work reflects an honest endeavor to achieve an understanding of the text that is as accurate as possible. Giving evidence of a broad command of the original language, it renders the original words into a second language understandably without deviating unnecessarily from the specific structure of the Hebrew....Every statement of language allows for a certain latitude in interpreting or translating. So the linguistic solution in any given case may be open to debate. But I have never discovered in the New World Translation any biased intent to read something into the text that it does not contain."

New Testament:

While critical of some of its translation choices, BeDuhn called the New World Translation a “remarkably good” translation, “better by far” and “consistently better” than some of the others considered. Overall, concluded BeDuhn, the New World Translation “is one of the most accurate English translations of the New Testament currently available” and “the most accurate of the translations compared.”—Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament.

“Here at last is a comprehensive comparison of nine major translations of the Bible:

King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Amplified Bible, Today's English Version (Good News Bible), Living Bible, and the New World Translation.

The book provides a general introduction to the history and methods of Bible translation, and gives background on each of these versions. Then it compares them on key passages of the New Testament to determine their accuracy and identify their bias. Passages looked at include:

John 1:1; John 8:58; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1

Jason BeDuhn
Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and Chair
Department of Humanities, Arts, and Religion
Northern Arizona University

(Please note that according to Dr. Jason BeDuhn, only the NWT translated John 1:1 correctly)

You can get a free copy or read it on line at:

http://watchtower.org/

I hate to bust your bubble, but the KJV has over 20,000 known mistakes.

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Answer 5

Try new king james. The translation is the same, the grammar and word use has been updated, ie. no more thee and thou.

BTW there are many excellent translations- there is nothing magic about king james. in fact, we know more through archaeology about ancient languages now than they did in the time of king james. we have a better understanding of how some words that have multiple meanings were commonly used in ancient societies. So if accuracy is what you want, some modern translations are actually more accurate than king james.

i also recommend bible gateway. it is free and you can read your passage in all the translations if you wish.

Answer 6

The New King James Version is the closest to the KJV, and most accurate to the KJV when comparing to the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.

Answer 7

I think that the KJV is cool too; but to answer your question, pray before you read the bible and God will open your eyes. And I don't know where to get inexpensive bibles, sorry.

Answer 8

Actually, from a scholarly perspective, it has accuracy problems. You should read either the RSV, the New Jerusalem Bible if you like a more poetic bible, or the New American Bible if you want literal accuracy. I think the New American Bible is $5.

Answer 9

keep reading or get the KJV on DVD and listen/ watch it on TV...the KJV is actually written at a fourth grade reading level...

the DVD will help

what is ESV??? stay away from some of the off the wall translations as they have lost much of the heart of the word as they chopped through it...

Answer 10

You are correct to stick with the KJV, no matter what ANYBODY tells you. You will get used to the language.

As for inexpensive Bibles, we've bought paperback Bibles from inexpensive (non-chain) bookstores.