King James Bible Articles
IS THE KJ BIBLE HARDER TO UNDERSTAND?
In the last days. . .men shall be HEADY,
HIGHMINDED II Timothy 3:4
At the intersection of Bible Boulevard, Madi$on Avenue and
Wall $treet, there are many crooked turns of the truth.
Advertising campaigns create a cloud of confusion,
calling the KJV "obscure, confusing and sometimes incompre-
hensible." While they crown the NIV's "clarity and ease of
reading" and the NASB's "contemporary English." Christians
are coerced by full color ads written to color the plain
facts by advertising, not English majors.
The Flesch-Kincaid research company's Grade Level Indicator
betrays the strictly black and white nature of the issue
showing the new version's true colors. The KJV ranks easier
in 23 out of 26 comparisons. (Their formula is: (.39 x
average number of words per sentence) + (11.8 x average number
of syllables per word) - (15.59) = grade level. The first
chapter of the first and last books of both the Old and New
Testaments were compared. (All complete sentences, whether
terminating in a period, colon, or semi-colon, and all
incomplete phrases ending in a period, were calculated as
'sentences'.)
=======================================================================
KJV NIV NASB TEV NKJV
Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade
Level Level Level Level Level
=======================================================================
Gen. 1 4.4 5.1 4.7 5.1 5.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mal. 1 4.6 4.8 5.1 5.4 4.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 1 6.7 16.4 6.8 11.8 10.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 1 7.5 7.1 7.7 6.4 7.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Grade
Level
Average 5.8 8.4 6.1 7.2 6.9
=======================================================================
To extend the inquiry, one each of the three book-types
(Gospel, Pauline epistle, General epistle) were surveyed. The
resulting data confirms the readability of the KJV.
=======================================================================
KJV NIV NASB Good NKJV
News
(TEV)
=======================================================================
John
1:1-21 3.6 3.6 4.2 5.9 3.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Gal.
1:1-21 8.6 9.8 10.4 6.7 8.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jas.
1:1-21 5.7 6.5 7.0 6.0 6.4
=======================================================================
Why is the KJV easier to read? The KJV uses one or two
syllable words while new versions substitute complex multi-
syllable words and phrases. Their "heady, high-minded"
vocabulary hides the hope of salvation from simple saints and
sinners.
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great
plainness of speech. (KJV) II Cor. 3:12
The NASB substitutes "lividness of speech" here and
carries this confusing and condescending vocabulary from cover
to cover. Children and church members need to change to the
KJV for "clarity." An extensive list is given because Christians
have been so extensively brainwashed to 'believe a lie'.
NASB vs. KJV
=======================================================================
HARD WORD EASY WORD
(NASB) (KJV)
=======================================================================
Matt.1:11, 1:17 deportation carried away
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt.1:20 considered thought
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt.2:1, 2:7 magi wise men
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark. 2:21 unshrunk new
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 2:16 environs coasts
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 3:17, Matt. winnowing fork fan
3:12
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 11:33, Matt. peck-measure bushel
5:15, Mark 4:21
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 5:19 annuls break
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 5:21 murder kill
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 5:29, Matt. recline at the table sat
8:11
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 8:32 begone go
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 9:13, 12:7 compassion mercy
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 9:17 wineskins bottles
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 9:18 synagogue official certain ruler
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark 5:25, Matt. hemorrhage issue of blood
9:20
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 9:20, 14:36 fringe hem
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 9:38 beseech pray
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 10:1 summoned called
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 10:10 tunics coats
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 10:16 shrewd wise
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt. 11:26 well pleasing good
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark 14:3 vial box
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark 14:3, 14:18 reclining sat
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 1:22 mute speechless
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark 15:18 acclaim salute
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 3:5 ravine valley
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 6:17 descended came down
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 5:5 bidding word
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 6:22 ostracize separate you from
their company
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 6:48 torrent burst stream beat
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 6:49 collapsed fell
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 7:2 highly regarded dear
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 7:32 sang a dirge have mourned
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 8:15 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 8:31 the abyss the deep
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 8:33 rushed ran
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 9:39 seizes taketh
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 9:42 dashed him to the threw him
ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 9:45 concealed hid
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 10:2 plentiful great
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 10:2 beseech pray
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 10:20 recorded written
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 10:21 well-pleasing good
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 11:21 undisturbed in peace
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 11:28 observe it keep it
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 23:45 being obscured darkened
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(This has other implications. It states that the sun was darkened by
being obscured, implying the natural phenomenon of an eclipse
rather than a supernatural move of God.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 18:40 questioned asked
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 6:60 difficult hard
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 7:6 opportune ready
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 10:23 portico porch
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 10:24 suspense doubt
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 11:17 tomb grave
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 11:57 seize take
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 11:39 stench stinketh
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 12:45 beholds seeth
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 12:40 perceive understand
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 13:12 reclined set down
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 13:23 reclining leaning
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 14:27 fearful afraid
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John 16:8 concerning of
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Thess. 2:17 having been bereft of being taken from
you you
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Thess. 2:18 thwarted hindered
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Thess. 5:1 epochs seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Thess. 5:14 admonish warn
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Thess.2:3 apostasy falling away
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Thess. 2:3 lawlessness sin
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Thess. 3:2 perverse unreasonable
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Thess. 3:6 aloof withdraw
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim.1:15 foremost of all chief
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 2:8 dissensions doubting
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim.2:9 discreetly sobriety
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 3:2 prudent sober
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim.3:2 respectable of good behavior
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 3:3 pugnacious striker
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 3:3 uncontentious not a brawler
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim.3:8 sordid filthy
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 5:12 previous pledge first faith
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 6:3 advocates teach
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim.6:4 conceited proud
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Tim. 6:10 a pang sorrows
--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Tim. 3:2 arrogant proud
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Titus 1:6 dissipation riot
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Titus 1:7 sordid filthy
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Titus 3:2 to malign no one to speak evil of
no man
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Titus 3:2 uncontentious to be no brawlers
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Titus 3:10 factious heretick
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil. 2:1 consolation comfort
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil. 2:30 deficient lack
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Heb. 2:17 propitiation reconciliation
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Heb. 5:10 designated called
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Heb. 7:2 apportioned gave
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Heb. 12:1 encumbrance weight
--------------------------------------------------------------------
James 1:2 encounter fall into
--------------------------------------------------------------------
James 1:11 in the midst in his ways
--------------------------------------------------------------------
James 5:11 blessed happy
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I Pet.4:4 dissipation riot
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I John 5:10 borne gave
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev.1:3 heed keep
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 1:9 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 2:2 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 2:3 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 3:10 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 2:23 pestilence death
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 4:1 standing was
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 5:11 myriads of myriads 10,000 x 10,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 6:8 ashen pale
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 6:8 famine hunger
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 6:8 pestilence death
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 7:15 spread His dwell among
tabernacle over
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 9:11 abyss pit
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 11:7 abyss pit
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 11:9 laid in a tomb put in graves
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(It refers to the two witnesses, so graves plural are needed.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 11:11 who were beholding saw
them
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 12:3 diadems crowns
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 13:1 diadems crowns
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 13:5 arrogant words great things
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 13:10 perseverance patience
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 16:9 fierce great
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 16:21 severe great
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 17:1 harlot whore
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 17:8 abyss bottomless pit
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 17:16 harlot whore
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev.18:1 illumined lightened
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 18:2 prison of every. . . cage
bird
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 18:7 mourning sorrow
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 18:8 pestilence death
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 18:11, 18:12 cargoes merchandise
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 19:12 diadem crown
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 19:20 seized taken
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 20:1, 20:3 abyss bottomless pit
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 21:8 cowardly fearful
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. 22:7 heeds keepeth
=======================================================================
[source: New Age Bible Versions, G.A.Riplinger, 1993 (690 pgs),
Dr. Waite continues: "Some people say they like a particular
version because they say it's more readable. Now, readability
is one thing, but does the readability conform to what's in
the original Greek and Hebrew language? You can have a lot of
readability, but if it doesn't match up with what God has
said, it's of no profit. In the King James Bible, the words
match what God has said. You may say it's difficult to read,
but study it out. It's hard in the Hebrew and Greek and,
perhaps, even in the English in the King James Bible. But to
change it around just to make it simple, or interpreting it,
instead of translating it, is wrong.
Version Words Vocab Verses
AV 790685 12784 31102
NIV 726109 14500 31085
NKJV 770930 13309 31102
RSV 760151 14110 31083
