A Careful Examination
Bible Version Comparison
What modern translations have changed, removed, and redefined.
"…ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God."
— Jeremiah 23:36
The Scope of the Changes
Modern translations have made thousands of alterations to the text of the Bible.
Jesus Christ warned in the parable of the sower that "the SEED is the word of God… then cometh THE DEVIL, and TAKETH AWAY the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." (Luke 8:11–12). The adversary's strategy has not changed. Modern Bible versions have systematically removed words, verses, and clarity from the Bible.
The following comparison examines changes found in the NIV, NASV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV, NCV, ESV, and LIV as compared to the KJV. The changes are not trivial, for they strike at the deity of Christ, the doctrine of salvation, and the authority of the Bible.
17+
Complete Verses Removed
64,000+
Fewer Words (NIV)
100s
Words Omitted
7
Major Versions Compared
Verses Footnoted or Removed
These entire verses are removed or placed in footnotes by modern versions.
The following verses appear in the King James Bible but have been completely removed from one or more modern translations. Some are moved to footnotes; others vanish entirely. Each verse's removal is not accidental.
Matthew 12:47
NIV: F · RSV: T · NRSV: F
Matthew 17:21
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: F
Matthew 18:11
NIV: T · NASV: F · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T
Matthew 21:44
NIV: F · RSV: T · NRSV: F · NCV: F
Matthew 23:14
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T
Mark 7:16
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: T
Mark 9:44
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: T
Mark 9:46
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: T
Mark 11:26
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: T
Mark 15:28
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: F
Mark 16:9–20
NIV: F · NASV: F · NKJV: F · RSV: F · NRSV: F · NCV: F · LIV: F
Luke 17:36
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T
Luke 22:43
NIV: F · NASV: F · RSV: T · NRSV: F
Luke 22:44
NIV: F · NASV: F · RSV: T · NRSV: F
Luke 23:17
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: T
Luke 24:12
NASV: F · RSV: T · NRSV: F
Luke 24:40
NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: F
John 5:4
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: F
John 7:53–8:11
NIV: F · NASV: F · RSV: T · NRSV: F · NCV: F · LIV: F
Acts 8:37
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: F
Acts 15:34
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: T
Acts 24:7
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T
Acts 28:29
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: T
Romans 16:24
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T
2 Corinthians 13:14
Renumbered as 13:13 in some versions
1 John 5:7
NIV: T · NASV: T · RSV: T · NRSV: T · NCV: T · LIV: T
James 1:8
Removed in some editions
T = Taken Away F = Taken Away in Footnotes
Why Does This Matter?
Shouldn't it matter what God said? People today settle for just the 'gist' or 'general idea' of what God said, but shouldn't the actual words He spoke matter to us? When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness by Satan, He rebuked the devil each time with the words of God.
Let's look at one of Christ's rebukes. Jesus was hungry after fasting for 40 days and Satan tempted Him and said "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." We then see that Jesus "answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
So, we see two things here: (1) that Scripture helps us combat the devil and resist temptation, and (2) that man is supposed to be living 'by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' Then, our question must be: where do we find the words of God that are pure and true?
Attacks on the Deity of Christ
Modern versions weaken or remove direct declarations of Christ's divinity.
One of the most alarming patterns in modern translations is the systematic weakening of passages that declare the deity of Jesus Christ. Titles, attributes, and claims of divinity are altered, softened, or removed entirely.
"God Manifest in the Flesh"
KJV — 1 Timothy 3:16
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh…"
What Modern Versions Say
Changed "God" to "He" or "He who." This removes the direct statement that it was God manifest in the flesh.
NIV
"Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh…"
ESV
"Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh…"
NASB
"…great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh…"
Some modern version replaces "God" with a pronoun, which erases the explicit declaration of Christ's deity.
"The Son of God" — Removed
KJV — Mark 1:1
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;"
What Modern Versions Say
OMIT "the Son of God." This removes the declaration of Christ's divine sonship from the very first verse of Mark.
RSV
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ." [THE SON OF GOD — OMITTED]
NASB (footnote)
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." — footnoted as: "Some early manuscripts do not contain 'the Son of God'"
NIV (footnote)
"The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God" — footnoted: "Some manuscripts do not have the Son of God"
By casting doubt on "the Son of God" in the opening verse of Mark, the deity of Christ is undermined from the first sentence.
"Christ, the Son of the Living God"
KJV — John 6:69
"…thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."
What Modern Versions Say
Changed to "the Holy One of God." This removes Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God.
NIV
"…you are the Holy One of God."
ESV
"…you are the Holy One of God."
ESV
"…you are the Holy One of God."
Peter's declaration of Jesus as "Christ, the Son of the living God" is replaced in most major modern versions.
"Begotten" Removed
KJV — John 3:16
"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."
What Modern Versions Say
Removed the word "begotten." This reduces the unique relationship between the Father and Son to simply "one and only," blurring the distinction between Christ's eternal sonship and our adopted sonship.
NIV — John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…"
ESV — John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…"
NIV — John 1:18
"No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son…"
ESV — John 1:14
"…glory as of the only Son from the Father…"
"Begotten" is removed in John 1:14, 1:18, 3:16, and 3:18 across modern versions.
"God is a Spirit"
KJV — John 4:24
"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
What Modern Versions Say
Changed to "God is spirit." Removing the article changes the meaning from declaring what God is to describing a quality God has.
NIV
"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
ESV
"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
NASB
"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
The removal of the article "a" subtly shifts the meaning: "God is a Spirit" declares God's nature as a personal, spiritual Being. "God is spirit" reduces it to a vague attribute.
"Equal with God" — Denied
KJV — Philippians 2:6
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"
ESV & Some Modern Versions
Changed to "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." This implies that Jesus could not grasp or attain equality with God, rather than affirming He already possessed it and did not consider it something He had stolen.
Why This Matters
The KJV affirms that Jesus, being God, did not consider His equality with the Father to be something seized or stolen because it was rightfully His. The modern rendering reverses the meaning entirely, suggesting equality with God was something beyond His reach. This is not a minor translation difference; it is the difference between affirming and denying the deity of Christ.
"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."
— 1 John 2:22
Doctrinal Changes
Key doctrines are weakened or obscured through translation choices.
Salvation by Faith — Acts 8:37 Removed
The Ethiopian eunuch's confession of faith before baptism is entirely removed from modern versions, eliminating the biblical requirement of belief before baptism.
KJV — Acts 8:36–38
"…See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still…"
What Modern Versions Say
Entire verse removed. The text skips from verse 36 to verse 38, removing the confession of faith prerequisite for baptism.
NIV — Acts 8:36, 38
"…'Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?' [VERSE 37 ENTIRELY REMOVED] And he gave orders to stop the chariot…"
ESV — Acts 8:36, 38
"…'See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?' [VERSE 37 ENTIRELY REMOVED] And he commanded the chariot to stop…"
NASB (footnote)
Verse omitted from text. Footnote reads: "Some late manuscripts add: And Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he answered and said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'"
Without verse 37, there is no confession of faith before baptism. This opens the door to infant baptism and baptismal regeneration.
Fasting Removed from Spiritual Warfare
KJV — Matthew 17:21
"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
What Modern Versions Say
Entire verse removed. The instruction on spiritual warfare through fasting is eliminated.
NIV
[VERSE 17:21 ENTIRELY REMOVED — text skips from v.20 to v.22]
ESV
[VERSE 17:21 ENTIRELY REMOVED]
NASB (footnote)
[VERSE OMITTED] — Footnote: "Some manuscripts add: But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
The Lord Jesus Christ's own teaching on the necessity of prayer and fasting in spiritual warfare is gone.
"Hell" Changed to "Hades"
KJV — Luke 16:23
"And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom."
What Modern Versions Say
Changed "hell" to "Hades" which results in the pagan Greek concept of the underworld replacing the biblical doctrine of hell.
NIV — Luke 16:23
"In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away…"
ESV — Luke 16:23
"…and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes…"
NIV — Matthew 16:18
"…and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
ESV — Revelation 1:18
"…I have the keys of Death and Hades."
The KJV uses "hell" in Matthew 11:23, 16:18; Luke 10:15, 16:23; Acts 2:27; Revelation 1:18, 20:13–14. Most modern versions replace it with "Hades" and import pagan mythology into the Bible.
"Damnation" Changed to "Condemnation" or "Judgment"
KJV — Matthew 23:33
"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"
What Modern Versions Say
Weakened to "condemnation" or "judgment" which softens the severity and finality of God's judgment.
NIV — Matthew 23:33
"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?"
ESV — Matthew 23:33
"You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?"
NIV — Mark 12:40
"…These men will be punished most severely."
ESV — John 5:29
"…those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment."
"Damnation" carries the weight of eternal finality. "Condemnation," "judgment," and "sentenced" soften the blow. This makes hell sound like a courtroom ruling rather than an everlasting sentence.
The Heavenly Witness — 1 John 5:7
The clearest statement of the Trinity in all of the Bible is removed or drastically altered.
KJV — 1 John 5:7–8
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."
What Modern Versions Say
The Trinitarian clause is removed. Only "the Spirit, the water, and the blood" remain, stripping the clearest declaration of the Trinity from the New Testament.
NIV — 1 John 5:7–8
"For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement." [ENTIRE TRINITARIAN CLAUSE REMOVED]
ESV — 1 John 5:7–8
"For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree." [ENTIRE TRINITARIAN CLAUSE REMOVED]
NASB — 1 John 5:7–8
"For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement." [ENTIRE TRINITARIAN CLAUSE REMOVED]
The words "the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" are completely gone.
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
— Proverbs 30:5–6
Changes by Book
A detailed, but not entirely complete, survey of changes organized by the books of the New Testament.
Legend:Y = Yes, contains the change F = In Footnotes E = Error in some Editions
Matthew (25 changes) 5:22 OMIT "without a cause" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NVC 5:44 OMIT 12 words ("bless them that curse you...") NIV NASVR SVNRSV LIV NVC 6:13 OMIT last 14 words ("For thine is the kingdom...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:33 OMIT "of God" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 8:29 OMIT "Jesus" NIV NASV RSVN RSV LIV NCV 11:23 CHG "hell" TO "Hades," "depths" NIV NASV NKJV RSVN RSV LIV 12:40 CHG "whale" TO "fish," "sea monster" NIV NASVN RSV LIV NCV 12:47 OMIT entire verse NIV NRSV LIV 15:8 OMIT "draweth nigh unto me with their mouth" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 16:18 CHG "hell" TO "Hades," "death" NIV NASV NKJ RSVN RSV LIV 16:20 OMIT "Jesus" NIV NASV RSVN RSV LIV NCV 17:21 OMIT verse NIV NASV NRSV LIV 18:11 OMIT verse ("For the Son of man is come...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV 18:26 OMIT "and worshipped him" (for Jesus) NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 19:9 OMIT last 11 words NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 19:17 CHG "Why callest thou me good" TO "Why do you ask me about what is good" NIV NASV RSV NRSV NCV 20:16 OMIT "for many be called, but few chosen" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 20:20 CHG "worshipping him" TO "kneeling down" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 20:22 OMIT 12 words NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 21:44 OMIT entire verse NIV RSV NRSV NCV 23:14 OMIT entire verse NIV NASV RSV NRSV NCV 23:33 CHG "damnation" TO "condemn," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 25:13 OMIT "wherein the Son of man cometh" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 27:35 OMIT last 25 words NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 27:54 CHG "the Son of God" TO "a son of God" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV
Mark (17 changes) 1:1 OMIT "the Son of God" ("Jesus Christ...") NIV NASV NRSV LIV 1:2 CHG "prophets" TO "Isaiah" (blatant error) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 1:14 OMIT "of the kingdom" ("gospel... of God") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 3:29 CHG "eternal damnation" TO "eternal sin," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:11 OMIT last 23 words NIV NASV NRSV LIV 7:8 OMIT last 15 words NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 7:16 OMIT entire verse NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 9:24 OMIT "Lord" (refers to Jesus) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 9:44, 46 OMIT entire verses (refers to hell) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 10:21 OMIT "take up the cross" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 10:24 OMIT "for them that trust in riches" (salvation) NIV NASV RSV NRSV 11:10 OMIT "that cometh in the name of the Lord" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 11:26 OMIT entire verse NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 12:40 CHG "damnation" TO "condemnation," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 13:6 CHG "I am Christ" TO "I am He," "the One" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 15:28 OMIT entire verse NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 16:9–20 OMIT entire last 12 verses of Mark 16 NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV
Luke (21 changes) 1:28 OMIT "blessed art thou among women" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 2:33 CHG "Joseph" TO "his father" (virgin birth) NIV NASV RSV NRSV 2:43 CHG "Joseph and his mother" TO "parents" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:4 OMIT "but by every word of God" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:8 OMIT "get thee behind me, Satan" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:18 OMIT 8 words ("he hath sent me to heal...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV 4:41 OMIT "Christ" ("Thou art Christ...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:48 CHG "founded upon a rock" TO "well built" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 9:55 OMIT 9 words ("...Ye know not what manner") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 9:56 OMIT first 16 words ("For the Son of man...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 10:15 CHG "hell" TO "Hades," "depths" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV 11:2 OMIT 15 words Lord's Prayer (about heaven) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 11:4 OMIT "but deliver us from evil" (Lord's Prayer) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 16:23 CHG "hell" TO "Hades" "place of the dead" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 17:36 OMIT entire verse NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 21:4 OMIT "cast in unto the offerings of God" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 21:8 CHG "I am Christ" TO "I am He," "the One" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 22:64 OMIT "they struck him on the face" NIV NASV NRSV LIV 23:17 OMIT entire verse NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 23:38 OMIT "letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 23:42 OMIT "Lord" (thief on the cross, asking salvation) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV
John (20 changes) 1:14, 18 OMIT "begotten" (refers to Jesus) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 1:27 OMIT "is preferred before me" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 3:13 OMIT "which is in heaven" (refers to Jesus) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 3:15 OMIT "should not perish" ("believeth in him...") NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 3:16, 18 OMIT "begotten" (refers to Jesus) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:24 CHG "God is a Spirit" TO "God is Spirit" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV 4:42 OMIT "the Christ" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 5:3 OMIT last 7 words NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 5:4 OMIT entire verse NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 5:16 OMIT "and sought to slay him" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:29 CHG "damnation" TO "condemn," "judgement" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:47 OMIT "on Me" (He that believeth...) NIV NASV RSV NRSV 6:69 CHG "Christ, the Son of the living God" TO "Holy One of God" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 7:53–8:11 OMIT verses 7:53–8:11 NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 8:9 OMIT "being convicted by their own conscience" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 8:59 OMIT last 10 words ("going through the midst...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 9:35 CHG "Son of God" TO "Son of Man," "Messiah" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 14:2 CHG "mansions" TO "rooms," "dwelling places" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 14:16 CHG "Comforter" TO "Helper," "Counselor," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV LIV 16:16 OMIT "because I go to the Father" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV
Acts (27 changes) 1:3 CHG "infallible" TO "convincing," etc. NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 2:30 OMIT "he would raise up Christ" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 2:31 CHG "hell" TO "Hades," "grave" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 2:38 CHG "remission of sins" TO "forgiveness of sins" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 4:27, 30 CHG "holy child" TO "holy servant" (attacks deity) NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 7:30 OMIT "of the Lord" ("angel of the Lord") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 8:37 OMIT entire verse (clear salvation verse) NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 9:5 OMIT "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 10:6 OMIT "he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 15:11 OMIT "Christ" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 15:18 CHG "beginning of the world" TO "eternity," "ages" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 15:34 OMIT entire verse NASV NKJV LIV NCV 16:31 OMIT "Christ" ("Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 17:16 CHG "stirred" TO "provoked," "distressed," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 17:22 CHG "Mars Hill" TO "Areopagus" NIV NASV NKJV RSV LIV 17:22 CHG "superstitious" TO "religious" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 17:26 OMIT "blood" NASV NKJV NRSV LIV NCV 17:29 CHG "Godhead" TO "Divine Nature," "divine being" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 19:35 OMIT "worshipper" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 20:24 OMIT "none of these things move me" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 20:25 OMIT "of God" NIV NASV NRSV LIV 23:9 OMIT "let us not fight against God" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 24:7 OMIT entire verse NIV NASV RSV NRSV 24:14 CHG "heresy" TO "sect" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV 24:15 OMIT "of the dead" ("resurrection of the dead") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 28:16 OMIT 11 words NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 28:29 OMIT entire verse NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV
Romans (19 changes) 1:3 OMIT "Jesus Christ our Lord" NIV NASV RSV NRSV 1:16 OMIT "of Christ" ("gospel of Christ") NIV NASV RSV NRSV 1:18 CHG "hold the truth" TO "suppress the truth" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 1:25 CHG "changed the truth" TO "exchanged the truth" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 1:29 OMIT "fornication" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:8 CHG "commendeth" TO "demonstrates," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:8 CHG "we be dead" TO "we died" (changes tense) NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:11 OMIT "our Lord" NIV NASV RSV NRSV 8:1 OMIT last 10 words ("who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 10:17 CHG "word of God" TO "word of Christ" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 11:6 OMIT last 18 words ("But if it be of works...") NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 13:2 CHG "damnation" TO "judgment," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 13:9 OMIT "Thou shalt not bear false witness" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 14:6 OMIT 15 words NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 14:10 CHG "judgement seat of Christ" TO "judgment seat of God," "God's judgement seat" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 14:23 CHG "damned" TO "condemned" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 15:8 OMIT "Jesus" NIV NASV NRSV LIV 16:18 CHG "good words and fair speeches" TO "smooth talk and flattery" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 16:24 OMIT entire verse NIV NASV RSV NRSV
1 Corinthians (18 changes) 1:21 CHG "foolishness of preaching" TO "foolishness of the message preached," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 1:22 CHG "require" TO "request," "ask," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:4 OMIT "Christ" (omitted twice) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:7 OMIT "for us" ("Christ... sacrificed...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV 6:9 CHG "effeminate" TO "male prostitutes," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:20 OMIT "and in your spirit, which are God's" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 7:5 OMIT "fasting" ("give yourselves to... and prayer") NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 9:1 OMIT "Christ" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 9:27 CHG "I keep my body" TO "I beat my body," etc. NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 9:27 CHG "castaway" TO "disqualified," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 10:28 OMIT last 10 words ("for the earth is the Lord's,...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 11:24 OMIT "take eat... broken..." (Lord's Supper) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 11:29 CHG "damnation" TO "judgment" (Lord's Supper) NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 11:29 OMIT "unworthily" ("eateth and drinketh unworthily") NIV NASV RSV NRSV 14:33 CHG "author of confusion" TO "a God of disorder" NASV NKJV LIV NCV 15:47 CHG "Lord from heaven" TO "man from heaven" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 15:55 CHG "grave" TO "Hades," "death" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV 16:22 OMIT "Jesus Christ" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV
2 Corinthians (7 changes) 2:10 CHG "person of Christ" TO "presence of Christ" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 2:17 CHG "corrupt" TO "peddle," "sell" (word of God) NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:10 OMIT "the Lord" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 5:17 CHG "creature" TO "creation" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:18 OMIT "Jesus" NIV NASV NRSV LIV 10:5 CHG "imaginations" TO "arguments," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 11:6 CHG "rude in speech" TO "untrained in speech" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV
Galatians (7 changes) 2:20 OMIT "nevertheless I live" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV 3:1 OMIT "that ye should not obey the truth" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 3:17 OMIT "in Christ" ("confirmed...of God in Christ") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:7 OMIT "through Christ" ("heir of God through Christ") NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 5:4 CHG "no effect" TO "estranged from," "alienated" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:15 OMIT "For in Christ Jesus" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 6:17 OMIT "the Lord" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV
Ephesians (5 changes) 1:6 OMIT "accepted in the beloved" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 3:9 OMIT "by Jesus Christ" ("who created all things by") NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 3:14 OMIT "of our Lord Jesus Christ" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:9 CHG "fruit of the Spirit" TO "fruit of the light" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 5:30 OMIT "of his flesh, and of his bones" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV
Philippians (3 changes) 2:6 CHG "thought it not robbery to be equal with God" TO "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 3:8 CHG "dung" TO "rubbish," "trash" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:13 CHG "Christ" TO "him" NIV NASV RSV NRSV
Philippians (3 changes) 2:6 CHG "thought it not robbery to be equal with God" TO "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 3:8 CHG "dung" TO "rubbish," "trash" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:13 CHG "Christ" TO "him" NIV NASV RSV NRSV
Colossians (4 changes) 1:2 OMIT "and the Lord Jesus Christ" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 1:14 OMIT "through his blood" ("redemption through...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV 1:28 OMIT "Jesus" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 3:6 OMIT "on the children of disobedience" NIV NASV RSV LIV NCV
1 Thessalonians (3 changes) 1:1 OMIT last 9 words ("from God our Father,...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 2:19 OMIT "Christ" (also omitted in 3:11, 3:13) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:22 CHG "all appearance of evil" TO "every form..." NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV
1 Timothy (8 changes) 2:7 OMIT "in Christ" (...the truth in Christ) NIV NASV RSV NRSV 3:16 CHG "God" TO "he" ("God manifest in the flesh") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:1 CHG "blasphemed" TO "spoken against," etc. NIV NASV RSV LIV 6:5 CHG "gain is godliness" TO "godliness is a means of gain," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:5 OMIT "from such withdraw thyself" NIV NASV RSV NRSV 6:10 CHG "root of all evil" TO "root of all kinds of evil" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:19 CHG "eternal life" TO "the life that is truly life" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 6:20 CHG "science" TO "knowledge" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV
2 Timothy (3 changes) 2:15 OMIT "study" (command to study the word) NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 3:3 CHG "those that are good" TO "good" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:22 OMIT "Jesus Christ" NIV NASV RSV NRSV
Hebrews (5 changes) 1:3 CHG "by himself purged our sins" TO NIV NASV RSV NRSV 2:7 OMIT last 10 words ("and didst set him over...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 3:1 OMIT "Christ Jesus" ("High Priest of our...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 7:21 OMIT "after the order of Melchisedec" NIV NASV RSV NRSV NCV 10:34 OMIT "in heaven" ("ye have in heaven a better") NIV NASV RSV NRSV
1 Peter (6 changes) 2:2 OMIT "of the word" ("...sincere milk of the word") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 2:2 CHG "grow thereby" TO "grow up in your salv..." NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 3:15 CHG "the Lord God" TO "Christ as Lord," etc. NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:1 OMIT "for us" ("Christ hath suffered for us") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:14 OMIT last 15 words ("on their part he is evil...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:11 OMIT "glory" ("To him be glory and dominion...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV
2 Peter (2 changes) 2:1 CHG "damnable heresies" TO "destructive..." NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 2:17 OMIT "for ever" ("darkness is reserved for ever") NIV NASV RSVNRSVLIVNCV
1 John (9 changes) 1:7 OMIT "Christ" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 3:16 OMIT "of God" ("...perceive we the love of God") NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:3 OMIT "Christ is come in the flesh" (antichrist) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 4:9 OMIT "begotten" NASV NKJV NRSV LIV NCV 4:19 OMIT "him" ("We love him, because he first...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:7 OMIT last 15 words NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:8 OMIT first 9 words NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:13 OMIT last 13 words NIV NASV RSV NRSV 5:13 ADD "continue to" (denies eternal security) NKJV
Revelation (20 changes) 1:8 OMIT "the beginning and the ending" NIV NASV RSV NRSV 1:9 OMIT "Christ" (omit Christ twice) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 1:11 OMIT 10 words ("I am Alpha and Omega, the...") NIV NASV RSV NRSV 1:18 CHG "hell" TO "Hades" "place of the dead" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV 2:13 CHG "Satan's seat" TO "Satan's throne" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 2:15 OMIT "which thing I hate" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 5:14 OMIT "him that liveth for ever and ever" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 6:8 CHG "Hell" TO "Hades" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV 6:17 CHG "his wrath" TO "their wrath" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 8:13 CHG "angel" TO "eagle" NIV NASV NRSV LIV NCV 11:15 CHG "kingdoms" TO "kingdom" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 11:17 OMIT "and art to come" (denies second coming) NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 14:5 OMIT "before the throne of God" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 15:3 CHG "King of saints" TO "King of the ages," etc. NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIVNCV 16:17 OMIT "of heaven" NIV NASV RSV NRSV 20:12 CHG "stand before God" TO "before the throne" NIV NASV RSV NRSV 20:13 CHG "hell" TO "Hades," "the underworld" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 20:14 CHG "hell" TO "Hades" NIV NASV NKJV RSV NRSV NCV 21:24 OMIT "of them which are saved" NIV NASV RSV NRSV LIV NCV 22:14 CHG "do his commandments" TO "wash their robes"
The King James Bible Rejects Corruption
The King James Bible's 66 books are internally consistent, self-authenticating, and they reject every imposter.
Many are putting out their own versions of the Bible with changes in text just enough to cover their views or questionable doctrines. The King James Bible stands apart: its 66 books are inerrant, perfect, and contain zero contradictions. When a false book is tested against this standard, the Bible itself exposes it.
Critics like to point out that the original 1611 King James Bible included the Apocrypha, as though that compromises its integrity. However, the translators placed it between the Old and New Testaments for its historical value. They never integrated it into the text as some corrupt modern versions do today. They rejected the Apocrypha as divinely inspired, and for good reason as they contradict the rest of the Bible.
"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"
— Matthew 7:16
Why the KJV?
God promised to preserve His Word... and He has.
The King James Bible is the preserved word of God for the English-speaking people. Its 66 books are internally consistent, doctrinally perfect, and without contradiction. Every word works together in harmony across thousands of years of authorship, because behind every human pen was one divine Author.
The changes documented on this page are not mere matters of translation style. They systematically weaken the deity of Christ, remove doctrinal clarity, soften the language of judgment, and eliminate entire sections of the Bible. The pattern is consistent and unmistakable. The King James Bible preserves what the modern versions have taken away.
Internal Consistency
66 books, ~40 writers, written over 1,500 years and the King James Bible contains zero contradictions. From Genesis to Revelation, every doctrine, every prophecy, and every word agrees perfectly. No other collection of writings in human history can make this claim. Why? Because the Bible was not authored by man, but by God.
Doctrinal Perfection
The KJV does not soften sin, weaken hell, diminish the deity of Christ, or obscure the blood atonement. It says what God said, the way God said it. When the modern versions change "God" to "He" and "hell" to "Hades," they are not improving clarity but removing doctrine.
"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."
— Psalm 12:6–7
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
— Matthew 24:35
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
— Revelation 22:18–19