Hard to Understand?
There will be people that tell you that the King James Bible is hard to understand, while the new versions are easier to read. Nothing could be further from the truth. The grade level average of the King James Bible is 5.8. Here are the grade level averages for the new versions. NIV: 8.4, NASV: 6.1, NKJV: 6.9. So, why do people say the new versions are easier to read? Simple: the publishers of the new versions tell them so. Why do the new versions say that their version is easier to read? Simple: they tell you that to sell their version.
1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil..”
What the publishers do not tell you is that the new versions are missing parts of verses and even complete verses, while corrupting the word of God. Some of the changes in the new versions will be covered in the next chapter.
The King James Bible is easier to read because it uses one- or two-syllable words, while the new versions use complex phrases and multi-syllable words.
2 Corinthians 3:12 “Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:”
Word Comparisons between the KJB, NASV & NIV.
(You decide which words are easier to read.)
In Isaiah 13:8, the NIV uses the word “aghast”, while the KJB uses the word “amazed”.
In Matthew 2:1, the NASV uses the word “magi”, while the KJB uses the words “wise men”.
In Matthew 20:2, the NIV uses the word “denarius”, while the KJB uses the word “penny”.
In Luke 3:17, the NASV uses the words “winnowing fork”, while the KJB uses the word “fan”.
In John 7:6, the NASV uses the word “opportune”, while the KJB uses the word “ready”.
In John 10:23, the NASV uses the word “portico”, while the KJB uses the word “porch”.
In Acts 28:11, the NIV uses the word “figurehead”, while the KJB uses the word “sign”.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:18, the NASV uses the word “thwarted”, while the KJB uses the word “hindered”.
In Titus 1:6, the NASV uses the word “dissipation”, while the KJB uses the word “riot”.
In Revelation 6:8, the NASV uses the word “ashen”, while the KJB uses the word “pale”.
In Revelation 20:14, the NIV uses the word “Hades”, while the KJB uses the word “hell”.
With all that said, we must understand that there are words in the King James Bible that are hard to understand, but that does not mean one needs to get a new version. What it means is that the Bible student needs to pray for understanding and actually study the verses and look up the meaning of words. God wants you to study His word, not settle for a new perversion. Remember, it is a sin to be lazy.
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
