V.11. Is the NIV Easier to Understand than the King James?

Question:  I use the King James Translation of the Bible and love it! My friend says he uses a modern version of the Bible because he can’t understand the King James with its “thee’s” and “thou’s.”

Answer:  Some new versions boast about their substitution of the word “you” for the "archaic ye” and “thee.” This sends a false message to their readers; as the King James uses the word “you” numerous times, from the first one in Genesis 1:29, to the last one in Revelation 22:21. What your friend fails to realize is that the King James uses only “ye” and “thee” as needed to distinguish between the Greek singular and plural. “Thee” is singular and “ye” is plural; therefore, using these specific renderings, the King James gives an exact representation of the Greek word.

For example, if Jesus visited a home occupied by a married couple and said, “Ye are of your father the devil,” the wife could not say that Jesus was only talking about her husband and not her. The reason is that “ye” is plural. New versions have thrived on deceiving the public into thinking that their version is easier to read. Behind this lie is money in the publisher’s coffers at the expense of the deceived.

The largest selling so-called Bible today is the NIV (The New International Version). After reading the Preface one is now convinced that the NIV is easier to read. The fact is, when you subject the King James and the NIV to the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Formula, it reveals that King James has a Fifth Grade reading level and the NIV has an Eighth Grade reading level.

What the Preface of the NIV does not disclose to its readers is that they have omitted approximately 64,000 words from the Majority Text. Look in Genesis 6:4. The King James translates the Hebrew “nephilim” as “giants.” The NIV just puts the Hebrew word in and doesn’t even translate it; so, unless you know Hebrew, you have no idea what the meaning of the word is. In Ephesians 4:16, the NIV renders “supporting ligament” and the King James “joint.” In Exodus 32:6 the NIV uses “indulge in revelry” and the King James “rose up to play.” I could cite a multitude of places where the new versions have used three to five syllable words, where the King James uses one or two syllable words equivalent to the Greek and Hebrew.

Look up the word “Hell” in your Strong’s Concordance and you will find most of the time the NIV gives you the Hebrew “Sheol” and the Greek “Hades.” So, unless you know Hebrew and Greek, you have no idea what the verse is speaking about.

Proverbs 30:5 tells us that,

Every word of God is pure.”

Evidently this is not so with the NIV translators, who have omitted some 64,000 words. Psalm 118:8 would be good advice to your friend,

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

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