Quick Comparison of Bible Versions

Quick Comparison of Bible Versions

It is often said that all Bible versions are basically the same, that their differences are just minor wording changes. Read the following comparison between the King James Version and the best-selling modern Bible translation, the New International Version, and then decide for yourself whether or not this is true. We have added bold text to assist the reader in recognizing changes.

KING JAMES BIBLE

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Why did Jesus come to earth?
Luke 9:56
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Matt. 18:11
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Luke 9:56
and they went to another village.


Matt. 18:11
(missing)


Is repentance important?
Matt. 9:13
...I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matt. 9:13
...I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

For whom did Jesus die?
I Cor. 5:7
...Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: I Cor. 5:7
...Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

In Whom must you believe to be saved?
John 6:47
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 6:47
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

Was Joseph really the father of Jesus?
Luke 2:33
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. Luke 2:33
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.

Did Jesus give His disciples power to heal?
Mark 3:15
...power to heal sickness, and to cast out devils. Mark 3:15
...authority to drive out demons.

If it's hard to do, should we just remove it?
Mark 11:26
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:26
(missing)

Who is in charge?
I Cor. 10:28
...for the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof: I Cor. 10:28
(last part of verse missing)

How must we deal with our enemies?
Matt. 5:44
...Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matt. 5:44
...Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Where did Jesus go?
John 16:16
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. John 16:16
In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.


Question: Aren't some of these things included in the NIV in the footnotes?
Answer: That is not the same as including them in the text. When a young Christian sees these passages have been moved to the footnotes, he or she will assume that they are probably not really part of God's Word. After all, the translators did not include them in the text, but simply implied that "some" manuscripts include them. What they are not told is that the vast majority of texts used by the early church included these words. They are God's Words!