KJV only....?
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Sure... "yam suph" in Hebrew means "reed sea" or "sea of reeds" yet the KJV gives "Red Sea". The sixth commandment is rendered "Thou shalt do no murder" in Matthew, and as "thou shalt not kill" in Romans, yet both are quotes of the same passage in Exodus.. 'kill' and 'murder' are not synonyms. The KJV of 1 Timothy 3 has male pronouns where none exist in Greek.
This is the kind of statement which leads to argument, because it is absolutist and cannot be proven. It can only be believed and held against ample evidence to the contrary.
This is the kind of statement which leads to argument, because it is absolutist and cannot be proven. It can only be believed and held against ample evidence to the contrary.
W
I mostly compare the Norwegian bible I have with the NIV, sometimes the KJV, but the language in it makes me focus more on the words than the message, so I cannot use the KJV to "read the bible" 
I've sometimes compared it to Dutch as well (using online bibles). Now if only someone could teach me Gaelic I'd start reading it in that too.
I've sometimes compared it to Dutch as well (using online bibles). Now if only someone could teach me Gaelic I'd start reading it in that too.
K
Preservation simply means that we can trust the Scriptures because God has sovereignly overseen the process of transmission over the centuries.
At the same time, we must also be aware that we do not possess the original writings/autographs. What we do have are thousands of manuscripts from which the original writings can be ascertained. By thorough examination and comparison of those manuscripts, it is determined what the original writings stated. This does not mean that there are absolutely no differences between the manuscripts. But the differences are extremely small and insignificant and do not in any way affect the basic teachings or meaning of God’s Word. The differences are things like minor spelling variations. We should keep in mind that this would not and does not affect the accuracy of Scripture, nor does it mean that God has not preserved His Word. God has supernaturally kept or preserved His Word.
The early scribes, whose jobs were to make exact copies of Scripture, were very meticulous. One example of their scrupulous precision is the practice of counting all the letters in a given book and noting the middle letter of the book. They would then do the same for the copy to make sure it matched. They employed such time-consuming and painstaking methods to ensure accuracy.
Further, we can take note of the following verses that demonstrate God’s plan to preserve His Word. In Matthew 5:18, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” In this verse Jesus declared that not even the smallest stroke of a letter in the Hebrew alphabet would pass away until all is accomplished. He couldn’t make that promise unless He was sure that God would preserve His Word. Jesus also said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). Jesus again affirms that God’s Word will not pass away. God’s Word will remain and accomplish that which God has planned.
The prophet Isaiah, through the power of the Holy Spirit, stated that God’s Word would remain forever. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). This was reaffirmed in the New Testament when Peter quoted the same passage and referred to it as “the word that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25). Neither Isaiah nor Peter could make such statements without the understanding of God’s preservation of Scripture.
We should keep in mind that when the Bible speaks of God’s Word remaining forever, it cannot be referring to it being kept hidden away in some vault in heaven. God’s Word was given specifically for mankind, and it would not be fulfilling its purpose if it were not available to us. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Also note that a person cannot be saved apart from the gospel message, which is recorded in God’s Word (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Therefore, in order for the gospel message to be proclaimed “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47), the doctrines and truths of the Word must be protected. If Scripture were not supernaturally preserved, there would be no way to ensure the consistency of the message it contains.
At the same time, we must also be aware that we do not possess the original writings/autographs. What we do have are thousands of manuscripts from which the original writings can be ascertained. By thorough examination and comparison of those manuscripts, it is determined what the original writings stated. This does not mean that there are absolutely no differences between the manuscripts. But the differences are extremely small and insignificant and do not in any way affect the basic teachings or meaning of God’s Word. The differences are things like minor spelling variations. We should keep in mind that this would not and does not affect the accuracy of Scripture, nor does it mean that God has not preserved His Word. God has supernaturally kept or preserved His Word.
The early scribes, whose jobs were to make exact copies of Scripture, were very meticulous. One example of their scrupulous precision is the practice of counting all the letters in a given book and noting the middle letter of the book. They would then do the same for the copy to make sure it matched. They employed such time-consuming and painstaking methods to ensure accuracy.
Further, we can take note of the following verses that demonstrate God’s plan to preserve His Word. In Matthew 5:18, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” In this verse Jesus declared that not even the smallest stroke of a letter in the Hebrew alphabet would pass away until all is accomplished. He couldn’t make that promise unless He was sure that God would preserve His Word. Jesus also said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). Jesus again affirms that God’s Word will not pass away. God’s Word will remain and accomplish that which God has planned.
The prophet Isaiah, through the power of the Holy Spirit, stated that God’s Word would remain forever. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). This was reaffirmed in the New Testament when Peter quoted the same passage and referred to it as “the word that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25). Neither Isaiah nor Peter could make such statements without the understanding of God’s preservation of Scripture.
We should keep in mind that when the Bible speaks of God’s Word remaining forever, it cannot be referring to it being kept hidden away in some vault in heaven. God’s Word was given specifically for mankind, and it would not be fulfilling its purpose if it were not available to us. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Also note that a person cannot be saved apart from the gospel message, which is recorded in God’s Word (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Therefore, in order for the gospel message to be proclaimed “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47), the doctrines and truths of the Word must be protected. If Scripture were not supernaturally preserved, there would be no way to ensure the consistency of the message it contains.
I don't know where you have studied Greek and Hebrew, but I will assure you that the KJV is not the best version, after being an advanced Greek student, and having a good knowledge of Hebrew. And my professor, who has been studying Greek since he was a child, whose father was a Greek professor, hates the KJV with a passion, because it is so inaccurate. (And he not only teaches, he wrote the book that is used in most seminaries for first year Greek, and comments on pretty much every other book, as well as having written many commentaries, grammar guides and linguistic morphologies.)
I will say, I could probably find at least one major error in every single verse of the NT in the KJV. The KVJ is better in Hebrew, because it used the Masoretic Hebrew. And maybe because Hebrew is a simpler languages, and a bit easier to translate directly into English.
But the Greek is terrible translation! Just so many errors, and slanting to hierarchy and King James being ordained by God, making it that men are the only leaders, no gifts, etc etc.
My advice is enrol in some Biblical Greek and Hebrew courses, and certainly get some Lexicons. Brown-Driver-Briggs for Hebrew and Bauer, or BDAG or BADG, and learn the letters and then learn how to use them. And then, learn some grammar. Well, lots and lots of grammar.
Then you can comment on how accurate the KJV is.
As for as the Message, I like it a lot. Not every passage, but I am in a Bible study with all kinds of people with Ph.D's missionaries, some overseas, including Mainland China, and many in the group like the Message. Once you get to know the Bible really well, it has an interesting angle to give. But, always remembering that it is a paraphrase.
I am currently reading Holman's HCSB (or CSB is the latest edition!) on my third read through. I like that it is in modern English, and not stilted, like ESV or NASB. Too much pretending to be "word for word" which is not possible, ever, going from one language to another, unless it is from the same language group, like French to Spanish. I don't agree with everything, but I like that it is enjoyable, and makes me want to read more and more.
In fact, I went from reading 3 OT and one Psalm and one NT chapter a day, to increasing it to 3 NT a day. That helps me see context better. I also read a chapter a day in the UBS Greek NT. A good challenge, but interesting to compare words, and word usage.
I've read the Bible 50 times, and there really is no "best" version. There is only studying and comparing, learning the original languages, and figuring out what your purpose is. If you want to argue theology, then the original languages are vital. But if you want to grow as a Christian, any version that is recognized as acceptable.
So, HCSB, but also ESV, NIV, NET, NASB, RSV,and yes, even the KJV, if you can figure out what all that archaic language is, and understand that it was translated from 7 very recent 15th Greek texts for the NT, that were highly corrupted. Except some books which were directly back translated from the Latin Vulgate, and all those added verses, that the RCC wanted kept there.
The KJV version (Not the NKJV) has been checked against the Septuagint and the Messianic text (texus receptus) for accuracy and it came in at around 98-99%. The other versions (even by todays scholars) change something to make it easier to read. This changes the text and it is this text that will be looked upon to change again in a few years.
Of course a lot of the versions are out-landish and should not be used at all. Like a pretty face, the versions are Beautiful in the eye of the beholder.
If one should use the KJV, the Septuagint LXX and the texus receptus (Messianic text) for proper interpretation...... The Greek language was/is a very explicit language where the English language (Old English) has some drawbacks.
Of course a lot of the versions are out-landish and should not be used at all. Like a pretty face, the versions are Beautiful in the eye of the beholder.
If one should use the KJV, the Septuagint LXX and the texus receptus (Messianic text) for proper interpretation...... The Greek language was/is a very explicit language where the English language (Old English) has some drawbacks.
You did not have to learn English first to read the KJV?
If you did, your argument returns back to you too and your English is your final authority.
Learning language is a must. And what is so surprising on the fact that learning the original language of some book is better than to read a translation?
If you did, your argument returns back to you too and your English is your final authority.
Learning language is a must. And what is so surprising on the fact that learning the original language of some book is better than to read a translation?
just a note: the Greek and Hebrew used by all new versions from the 1880's til now use a different Greek and Hebrew than was used in the AV: they use a Greek and Hebrew that was (for the lack of a better word) reconstructed by two secular atheist scholars in 1881 (or 1883?). Anyway because it defines words differently therefore everyone today that uses these popular translations lead astray their hearers from the Truth.
Erasmus was a Roman Catholic. His text was used by the KJV.
Nestle Aland committee was composed of protestants, only lately they added somebody from the RCC, too. Protestants are still vast majority of members.
So this argument (even not a good one) is still rather against you.
Also, how are people led astray when using this "constructed" text, as you say (Erasmus constructed it too).
Nestle Aland committee was composed of protestants, only lately they added somebody from the RCC, too. Protestants are still vast majority of members.
So this argument (even not a good one) is still rather against you.
Also, how are people led astray when using this "constructed" text, as you say (Erasmus constructed it too).
honestly as you study the greek and Hebrew as deep as you wish to Go, you will come to the same conclusion, Kjv will be spot on i say this as one who has taken the same endevour as you are currently taking on. it helps alot with confidence in the Kjv, but it really also hurts confidence in several of the newer translations. in the end though i began not a " kjv" Only person, I ended after alot of study, a Kjv guy much as you are saying. always check things against it if there is obvious difference....the Kjv has it right.
So IOW you are syaing all those other heathen versions take something out of Jesus!?!?!?
You guys crack me up with your superior smugness concerning Bible version and the ole King Jimmy...
Jesus is not going to line us up and say...
so which version did you preach and teach out of?...oh the NASB......well....depart from me you worker of inquiry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh the KJV.......High five to you bro, enter into my rest, my good and faithful servant!!!!!!!!!!!
This is about how stupid and foolish this discussion is
You guys crack me up with your superior smugness concerning Bible version and the ole King Jimmy...
Jesus is not going to line us up and say...
so which version did you preach and teach out of?...oh the NASB......well....depart from me you worker of inquiry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh the KJV.......High five to you bro, enter into my rest, my good and faithful servant!!!!!!!!!!!
This is about how stupid and foolish this discussion is
and once again we have a Bible version Idol making thread....
Galatians 1:6-7
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Study the words ANOTHER....BOTH translated ANOTHER.....and tell me if they are the same word with the same meaning.....