KJV only? *

Extended Answer

Q: I’ve been tightening up my walk with Jesus again, and lately trying to study the Bible... but am having such a hard time choosing "which version" is best for me, and also is the TRUE word. I need what that will help me become closer to God. I grew up in KJV and was looking at other translations (like NKJV etc), but people online are saying I should read KJV only.  What should I know about this to look into it properly??

Q: I’ve been tightening up my walk with Jesus again, and lately trying to study the Bible... but am having such a hard time choosing "which version" is best for me, and also is the TRUE word. I need what that will help me become closer to God. I’ve been looking into the NKJV & another, but grew up on the KJV and I’ve recently seen there SO many other versions and it’s so hard to know where to commit too.❤️. Thoughts? 

A: It is great that you recognize the Bible is how we get closer to God, and walk in the Christian life. And that your investigating instead of blindly listening to random netizens.

NKJV is fine. In fact I have a solid study Bible in that version. It's more expensive than the NASB, but its fine. If price is a factor, I just recommend this one. 😊

I will note that KJV is very hard to read since it's not modern English, however the Scourby OT & NT download audiobible(1) is dramatized and wonderful & fun for new believers to listen along with as they read, but the names are not the same as in modern language. Elias is Elijah, and Jeremiah and other names are changed. If you love the poetic language of KJV and only use it for home time in the Word just for reading, that's fine. But when you study-study, use better versions.

I grew up in a time where KJV was the only Bible found in 99% of churches, one was gifted to me for my own at 8th grade graduation by my grandparents, and I still have it. It is very hard to read. And mostly sat on my shelf for years because of that. If it's not helpful or easy to read, it won't be read. So pick one that's modern and reputable, so you stick with it in daily reading practice.

🔴 "KJV onlyists" are a cult. They're legalistic too, which isnt what Scripture teaches. So stay far away from them. 

Here are things to consider as you look into the kjv topic by a reputable Bible Scholar:

Why I don't recommend KJV 

KJV Archaic Words 

Also another critique 

Further examining Bible translations is discussed here, but is also part of the Bible section on the Believers Resources site (here) to help you and goes deeper.  You can compare versions at sites like this, to get a well rounded understanding, along with a Study Bible. Again, all of these are discussed on the Bible section of this site. So you can look at it later. 

But, note you're not alone or on your own in studying Scripture😊! Not only is the Holy Spirit revealing & teaching you truth from the Word, but God has gifted the local churches with Pastors. Their job is to deep dive Scripture, be led by the Spirit, and explain Scripture to you (including the cultural connection, the history, and the language meaning from Hebrew and Greek, so he unpacks it to educate you more. This is why both your own personal study of Scripture and what you learn at church are to be together.  

A side note here, you dont need to worry about the reputable versions (noted above in links), if there was anything incorrect about them, or reputable translations from 1400s to today... the Hebrews and Greeks would've thrown a fit over inaccuracy. They haven't. Not even the ones in USA from 1900s till 2025. Not even the ones who are Christian. Because... they're accurate 😉. So dont let KJV onlyists try to decieve and fear monger you into only using KJV. We have far better versions today, and thanks to the Dead Sea Scolls discovery too. 

✨️If your curious about the English Bible history, this is a fun read 😊. Also this is a fun site to read some of those versions. 

If your church likely uses NASB or ESV, so you should get the one your church uses in worship service, for at church, so you can follow along easily. 

Its ok to have several versions and I encourage you to do so. You can also compare versions when studying at home. 

Here is a digital version sample 

This will be a big help in assisting you to find a good Bible version. 

And this is helpful for where to start reading & has resources for more on personal Bible study. 

If you dont have a church, you can find one here at the Believer's Resources site. 😊

God bless

Footnote:

(1) Scourby download is best option. If there's any error in purchasing, message them in the site to ask for it. Download is better, cuz their app is a regular fee paying set up and that's wrong imo. It should be one time cost only. 

If you have paid youtube acct they have it there commercial free, and you can listen to the OT and NT. It's a nightmare if you are in the commercial only free youtube. I hated it. Don't recommend it. 

Scourby is the best dramatization out there. Originally a high production Bible for the blind (in 1950), is great today for folk who have a hard time reading through the pages in dry areas as a first time reader. 

Just don't get stuck in a subscription fee based product of theirs cuz its not right to charge long term for this product. 

Snag a downloaded ver asap in case it gets eliminated and moved to the fee only plan.

(2) The NASB95 audio Bible is free and here, but not really dramatized. 

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