Faith & Reason Nexus

The King James Version (KJV)

Known as “The Authorized Version”
Produced by the Church of England
Prepared by 47 scholars appointed by King James
The translators were instructed to revise the Bishop’s Bible
Produced between 1604 and 1611
Published in 1611
Numerous editions of the KJV were produced during the 17th and 18th centuries
The Oxford Standard Edition of 1769 is essentially the KJV used today

The New King James Version (NKJV)

In 1975, Thomas Nelson, Inc. undertook sponsorship of this translation
130 scholars, editors, and religious leaders were involved in the work
The Old Testament appeared in 1979
The New Testament appeared in 1982
The language of the New King James Version reflects a more modern use of terms

The American Standard Version (ASV)

Year: 1901
Believed by many to be the most accurate translation
An American version of the English Revised Version of 1881

The New International Version (NIV)

Best known as the NIV
Version was begun in 1965
Committees from the Christian Reformed Church and the National Association of Evangelicals
Over 100 conservative scholars representing some 34 different religious groups
Sponsored by the New York Bible Society, now the New York International Bible Society
1) The New Testament appeared in 1973
2) The whole Bible appeared in 1978

The Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Product of the International Council of Religious Education
The RSV has received much criticism for translating Isaiah 7:14 to “woman” instead of “virgin.”