What is the difference between "NKJV" and "KJV?" Which to use? Thanks.?

Answer 1

The KJV is written in Old English and the NKJV is written in more modern English. Both of them are "word for word" translations as opposed to an "idea for idea" or dynamic equivalent translation like the NIV.

The KJV is the classic standard of Bible translations. Many people who use other translations find themselves quoting from the KJV when they do things like say the Lord's Prayer. The NKJV is easier to read and is a good translation but is not as poetic as the KJV which detracts somewhat from portions of the Bible like the Psalms but may be more helpful when trying to make sense of a difficult passage where the word order and usage in the KJV add the task of figuring out what the Old English means in modern English to the job of figuring out what the original author was trying to say.

Why not get one of each, or download the Free e-Sword software that has a lot of Free Bibles you choose to download as well including the KJV with Strong's numbers so that when you run your mouse pointer over the number you get a pop up of the original word in Greek or Hebrew along with a short definition?

You can find a link to download iit from on the Free Stuff page @ http://web.express56.com/~bromar/ and if you click on the Bible icon on the bottom of the main page you can see the KJV and the NKJV and a lot of other versions on line for free and make your own comparisons.

Answer 2

Kjv Vs Nkjv

Answer 3

Nkjv Vs Kjv

Answer 4

There are a lot change s that are made in the NKJV. The important thing is that KJV was the first Word of God. The NKJV was rewritten by men. I don t think thou and ye are the only change s that are made between KJV and NKJV. I would stick with the KJV. The True Word of God is the King James Version.

Answer 5

NKJV is the New King James Version and KJV is the King James Version.

The King James Version is from the Majority Text and the NKJV, in many critical places, deviates from the Majority Texts and opts for readings from the Minority Text.

In many instances the difference between the Majority and the Minority texts is 100 to 1 in favor of the Majority Texts. In most instances there is at the very least a 10 to 1 ratio in favor of the Majority Text.

If you were on trial for murder and 1 witness said you were guilty and I had from 10 to 100 witnesses saying you were innocent, then I probably would expect that the overwhelming majority of witnesses in your favor would be enough to convince the jury that you were not guilty.

In a similar, but much more overwhelming statistical analogy, there are approximately 1/10 of a million pieces of evidence, consisting of Ostrakas, talismans, fragments and manuscripts, attesting to the King James readings, taken from the Majority Texts, over the Minority Greek Texts' readings from which the NKJV is translated.

If I choose to use a Bible that has that overwhelming preponderance of evidences in its favor, as it is with the King James Version, then I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone as the preserved Word of God.

I cannot say the same for the New King James Version, so I could not, in good conscience and after years of intensive research, recommend it to anyone.

Doc Van

Answer 6

Actually, the KJV was written in Modern English, but intentionally used many of the forms and words of Middle English. There is really nothing of Old English in it. Old English, that is, pre-Norman Conquest English, was an inflected, entirely Germanic language (with a bit of Latinate vocabulary among the learned classes) and probably sounded like a cross between Gaelic, Swedish, and a thick Scottish accent.

In fact, the KJV, along with the works of Shakespeare and the English Dictionary, is one of the three main literary artifacts typically listed as the defining documents of the beginning of Modern English.

Answer 7

I have both, and several other translations.

What I enjoy about the NKJV is that it has restored Jehovah's name to the NT, where it should have been all along.

Example: When quoting the OT, they have restored the word:

"LORD" which is the YHWH or God's name.

In English when we see 'LORD' we should read Jehovah, or Yahweh, because that was what was in the original.

I especially love to read how Jesus told Satan, It is Jehovah (LORD) your God, you should worship.

How Peter in the 2nd chapter of Acts, told the crowd:

"Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah (LORD) will be saved"


.

Answer 8

King James written in style about 3/400 years old. New king James tries to use more modern terms and translations while maintaining the cadence and some of the forms of old version- maintains spoken readings and poetic meter. NEV- New English Version uses modern speech and loses some of the impact of the old verses. The old - 'thou shalt not suffer a witch to live' changes slightly to' thou shalt not suffer (allow)a poisoner to live'. NEV might have 'Drug dealers should suffer capital punishment'.

Answer 9

Use NKJV if you speak modern English. Use KJV if your name is Bill Shakespeare, or if you don't want to upset the people who still think one version is ''better'' than another.

Peace,
Drew

Answer 10

NKJV is like the KJV except it has left out the thee and thou words. it is easier to read.