21st Century King James Version
The 21st Century King James Version is an updated version of the King James Version published in 1994. Unlike the New King James Version, it does not alter the language significantly from the 1611 King James Version, retaining Jacobean grammar (including "thee" and "thou"), but it does attempt to replace some of the vocabulary which might no longer make sense to a modern reader. The reader should notice almost no difference from reading the King James Version except that certain archaic words have been replaced with words that are more understandable. The translation is directed towards readers who are looking for a very conservative King James update, but who would like to reduce the need to use a dictionary to look up obsolete words.[1]
| 21st Century King James Version | |
|---|---|
| Full name | 21st Century King James Version |
| Abbreviation | KJ21 |
| Complete Bible published | 1994 |
| Textual basis | Textus Receptus, 57% deviation from Nestle-Aland 27th edition (NT) |
| Translation type | 2% paraphrase rate |
| Copyright | Copyright 1994 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved. |
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. | |
A version containing the Apocrypha and without the unusual formatting was released under the name Third Millennium Bible in 1998.
Background
The 21st Century King James Version Bible is an updated version of the King James Version.[2] It is not generally considered to be a new translation.[2]
Alterations
Unlike the New King James Version, the 21st Century King James Version does not alter the language significantly from the King James Version.[2] The author has eliminated "obsolete words."[2] The changes in words are based on the second edition of the Webster's New International Dictionary.[2] There were no changes related to gender or theology. Recently, it has the capitalization of pronouns much like New King James Version, addressing Deity while maintaining the archaic pronouns.[2]
Examples comparing the old to the new:
| Verse | 21st Century King James Version | King James Version |
|---|---|---|
| Ezra 9:3 | ....and sat down stunned. | ...and sat down astonied. |
| Isaiah 11:8 | And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. | And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. |
| Luke 11:27 | ....the breasts which thou hast sucked". | ...the paps which thou hast sucked". |
| Romans 8:4 | that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. | That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:7 | For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now holdeth back will hold him back, until he is taken out of the way. | For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. |
| Hebrews 13:5 | Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”; | Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. |
The 21st Century King James Version is also known for its formatting. Passages considered "more familiar" are in bold print, while "less familiar" passages are placed in a sans-serif print. Passages from the Revised Common Lectionary are marked with diamonds, and the translations of names are sometimes included with brackets.
The 21st Century King James Version has also been released in an edition with the Apocrypha and without the unusual formatting; this is known as the Third Millennium Bible.
References
- "21st Century King James Version Review". Got Questions. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- "21st Century King James Version (KJ21 Bible)". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
External links
- www.kj21.com - The official site for the 21st Century King James Version of the Bible
- KJ21 on BibleGateway.com - The complete text of the 21st Century King James Version, plus version, copyright and publisher information