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21st Century King James Version facts for kids

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21st Century King James Version
Full name: 21st Century King James Version
Abbreviation: KJ21
Complete Bible published: 1994
Textual basis: Textus Receptus, 57% deviation from Nestle-Aland 27th edition (NT)
Translation type: 2% paraphrase rate
Copyright status: Copyright 1994 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.

The 21st Century King James Version (often called KJ21) is a special updated version of the King James Version Bible. It was published in 1994. This Bible keeps very close to the original Textus Receptus. This is a collection of ancient Greek texts used for many Bible translations.

The KJ21 does not remove Bible parts based on newer Greek manuscripts. Unlike the New King James Version, the KJ21 does not change the language much from the 1611 King James Version. It still uses older English words like "thee" and "thou." However, it tries to replace some words that modern readers might not understand anymore.

When you read the KJ21, you will notice it is very similar to the original King James Version. The main difference is that some old-fashioned words have been updated. This version is for readers who like the King James Version but want fewer words that are no longer used.

A different version was released in 1998. It included the Apocrypha, which are extra books. This version was called the Third Millennium Bible. It also did not have the unusual text formatting found in the KJ21.

What is the 21st Century King James Version?

The 21st Century King James Version Bible is an updated edition of the King James Version. It is not seen as a completely new translation. Instead, it is an effort to make the classic King James text easier to read.

How the KJ21 Text Was Changed

The 21st Century King James Version does not change the language much from the original King James Version. The people who created it focused on replacing words that are no longer common. They used the second edition of Webster's New International Dictionary to help them.

No changes were made to the text based on gender or religious beliefs. More recently, the KJ21 started capitalizing pronouns that refer to God. This is similar to the New King James Version. For example, "He" or "His" for God are now capitalized.

Here are some examples of how words were changed:

Bible Verse 21st Century King James Version King James Version
Ezra 9:3 ....and sat down stunned. ...and sat down astonied.
Isaiah 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
Romans 8:4 that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now holdeth back will hold him back, until he is taken out of the way. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”; Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The 21st Century King James Version also has a special way of formatting its text. Parts of the Bible that are more well-known are printed in bold. Parts that are less familiar are printed in a sans-serif font. Passages from the Revised Common Lectionary are marked with diamond symbols. Sometimes, the meanings of names are included in brackets.

As mentioned, the 21st Century King James Version is also available in another edition. This edition includes the Apocrypha and does not have the special formatting. It is known as the Third Millennium Bible.

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