KJV Vs. NASB

The English speaking church has long debated which version of the Bible is the best.

The King James Version of the Bible (KJV) has been the most popular English Bible for centuries. Recently, its popularity has been challenged by a number of new translations, one of which is the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

History

The KJV, also known as the Authorized Version, was first published in 1611 in England. It was largely based on a previous English version of the Bible translated from Greek by William Tyndale, according to Bruce Terry, the Chair of Ohio Valley University's School of Biblical Studies. The NASB was first published in the U.S. in 1971 and updated in 1995. A revised version of the 1901 American Standard Version, it was based on Greek and Hebrew versions of the Bible, as well as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Similarities

The translators of both the KJV and the NASB attempted a literal translation of the Bible, although some idioms are used in both versions. Both versions were intended for a Protestant audience. Additionally, the translators of both versions believed the Old and New Testaments to be the inerrant word of God.

Differences

The writing style and vocabulary in the KJV are those of 17th century England. The 1971 edition of the NASB uses modern American English, with the exception of using "thou," "thy" and "thee" when referencing God. The 1995 edition uses "you" and "your" instead. Also, translators used different source texts.

References

• BibleGateway.com: King James Version (KJV)
• The Lockman Foundation: New American Standard Bible
• Prairie Bible Institute: Evaluating the NKJV & the NASB
• Ohio Valley University: English Bible Translations