The King James Version of the Bible is known for being very accurate to the ancient text. It is available to everyone as public domain, copyright-free material but, its ancient formal “Old” English words from the year 1611 make for difficult reading.

 

What makes the King James Today the easier-to-read KJV?

 

  • Unnecessary word endings “est, eth, st, th, and ith” are dropped, e.g., buildest (build), buildeth (builds), dost (do), lieth (lie), saith (says).
  • Old English is replaced e.g., art (are), hither (here), nigh (near), oft (often), thee (you), thine (your), thou (you), thy (you) thyself (yourself), unto (to), wast (were), ye (you).
  • Old English spelling is updated e.g., labour (labor), licence (license), musick (music), publick (public), shew (show), wilt (will).
  • Ye, you, you-ward, your, yours, and yourselves, referring to more than one person, is noted by a superscript P (for plural) e.g., youp.
  • Spelling consistency for proper nouns e.g., Balac (Balak), Elias (Elijah), Esaias (Isaiah), Jonas (Jonah), Noe (Noah), Osee (Hosea), Sion (Zion).

 

When you compare the two versions

you’ll find the KJT is easier-to-read and understand:

 

King James Version:

  • My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: Proverbs 1:15 KJV

 

King James Today:

  • My son, walk not you in the way with them; refrain your foot from their path: Proverbs 1:15 KJT
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