Holy Bible: 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

Rating:
Summary: What ever happened to Noah Webster?
Review: I don't have this particular bible but it is possible to read or download the whole of Mark's gospel, and some other selections... I quite liked the idea but I tend to agree with Gary's review: the update didn't always seem consistent. But anyway, Noah Webster did much the same thing back in his day. I can't understand why his bible isn't in print. I have it on a CD and what I have read of it seems excellent. This guy was larger than life, he put together a dictionary and seems to have been one of the fathers of the American education system. Shame on you, my American friends, this chap Webster was one of your greats. Someone out there ought to start printing some of his stuff and especially his update of the Authorised Bible. When you do, let me know and I'll put in an order!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent update
Review: I have to say this is my favorite Bible, and I pretty much use it exclusively. Contrary to what Mr. Zeolla writes, I think the update is just enough, to where only the very arcahaic and obsolete words are updated to their modern day synonyms. This feature makes it a joy to read, study, and memorize. I love the print type (very unique feature), and the overall layout. I have the burgundy bonded leather edition and it is extremely well crafted, so I know I will have years of use from this Bible. As the publishers note in their preface, this is not a re-translation but a careful and faithful update. Job well done.

Rating:
Summary: Not enough of an update of the KJV
Review: The KJ21 is an updating of the KJV. But IMO, it does not update the KJV enough. For example, consider the following question and statement by Jesus, "Why make ye this ado and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth" (5:39) This is English; but not the kind of English that I speak. The only time I have ever used the word "ado" is in the Shakespearean phrase, "Much ado about nothin'." And I have heard of "a damsel in distress" but a damsel that sleepeth?

For comparison, the New King James Version (NKJV) renders this passages, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping."

Moreover, the KJ21 is not consistent in updating words that have changed meaning. And it does not seem to update some of the inaccuracies of the KJV.

For example, Mark 1:34 reads in the KJ21, "And He healed many who were sick with divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and He suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew Him."

Compare the NKJV rendering, "Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him."

Note the use of the word "suffered" in the KJ21. Today, "suffer" means to experience pain. So the NKJV has "allow" here, which fits the context much better. Note also the word "divers." The only time I have ever used this word is in reference to people who jump headfirst into water. The NKJV's "various" is much more understandable.

Lastly, note the word "devils" in the KJ21. The Greek word is "daimonia" and is better rendered "demons" as it is in the NKJV. The Greek word for "devil" is "diabalos" (Matt 4:1). There are many demons, but only one devil ("diablos" is always singular in Scripture when referring to the devil).

So the KJ21 seems not to have changed the wording of the KJV when it would have been prudent to do so. However, I am pleased that the KJ21 did not change a couple of aspects of the KJV. First off, the KJ21 appears to be based on the Textus Receptus that the KJV is based on. I believe this Greek text is truer to the original manuscripts than the "Critical Text" that other most modern-day translations use.

Also, the KJ21 follows the same "formal equivalence" (word for word) translation principle of the KJV. This principle differs from the "dynamic equivalence" (thought for thought) theory that most other modern-day versions use. I much prefer the "formal equivalence" principle. However, the above two points are also true for the NKJV.

So my impression of the KJ21 is not very good. If you are going to "update" the KJV, then update the KJV. But the KJ21 seems to only go part of the way; it updates some of the language but leaves much, well, "dated."

This conclusion is especially pointed as there are alternatives. In addition to the NKJV, the "Modern King James Version" and "The Literal Translation of the Bible" provide formal equivalence or literal translations of the Textus Receptus, but do so using modern-day English. And my own "Analytical-Literal Translation" provides a literal translation of the Majority Text, which is very similar to the Textus Receptus.

For a detailed discussion of the different translation principles and Greek text-types mentioned above, see my book "Differences Between Bible Versions." My book also reviews the other versions mentioned above, along with many other Bible versions.

Rating:
Summary: ...I love this one...
Review: The single column layout is less distracting than the double colmun, traditional layout. The page design is the main reason I chose this Bible. There are minimal, well-abbeviated references. Also, there are three text types for emphasis and chapters summaries are nice. I have read from it daily for the past year. I'm hooked!