Special Features of the King James Version Easy Read Bible The basic text of the King James Version Easy Read Bible (kjver) is the beloved King James Version of 1611, with minor word changes in the case of clearly archaic or obsolete words, as indicated under the subhead below entitled “Antiquated Words Clarified and Defined.” The following is an overview of the special features of the kjver, with its distinctive tools for studying and understanding Scripture: Red Lettering Incorporated into Both Old and New TestamentsThe red lettering in this Bible version is unique in that it may be found in both the Old and New Testaments. While the publisher believes firmly that all of the Bible is God’s Word and is therefore inerrant (see 2 Timothy 3:16), the placing of Christ’s words in red in the New Testament has proven to be a special help and blessing to countless people over the years, and this feature was selected to be a part of the kjver as well. In addition, this Bible version uses red type to highlight the direct words of God throughout the entire Old Testament. It is hoped that this emphasis will add blessing and clarity to your Old Testament devotional reading and study. You should be aware, however, that the red lettering is only suggestive. In many instances in both testaments, scholars may differ on whether this or that particular verse or passage should appear in red. Moreover, since neither the Old Testament Hebrew nor the New Testament Greek manuscripts use quotation marks, it is often difficult to determine whether God or Christ is speaking directly. Nevertheless, great effort has gone into color coding the text as accurately as possible. The editors have marked verses in red for both testaments in an attitude of prayerful study and dependence on God. This labor, it is trusted, will indeed bring greater enjoyment and understanding to your Bible reading. It is our prayer that the aid of red lettering, as well as the shaded areas of text described under the next subhead, will enable you to better understand God’s holy Word and to love and worship God in all His redemptive fullness.
Shaded Areas of Text Indicate Quotations from GodIn both the Old and New Testaments, when biblical speakers or angels quote the words of God or Christ, these words are shaded in red. In the New Testament, citations of the direct words of God from the Old Testament are also shaded (as in the case of many of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of Christ). Readers are reminded that the red type and shading in the text are offered as a study help to the Scriptures, and that all of the Bible, be it in red or black print, is indeed God’s infallible Word.
Designed for Increased ReadabilityPronouns:For increased readability, the King James Version Easy Read Bible changes all second-person singular pronouns to their modern equivalents: thee (you), thy (your), thine (yours), and thyself (yourself). Whenever these forms reflect the name of deity, they begin with a capital letter. Verb Forms:In addition to changing the old English second-person pronouns, archaic verb forms have been changed to their modern counterparts. For example, knoweth becomes knows, shouldest becomes should, shalt becomes shall, and holpen becomes helped. These verb changes involve only the spelling of verb tenses and do not alter the tenses themselves. Modernizing second-person pronouns and archaic verb forms removes about 98 percent of the confusion that some readers have with the King James Bible. A few other textual changes, such as to wit (that is or to know), even (evening), and armour (armor), were made as well. Even with these minor changes, the kjver still presents the King James translation in its verbal, formal-equivalent accuracy. It remains a near word-for-word translation, as opposed to a dynamic-equivalent translation that more subjectively translates expression for expression. Unless you are a time traveler from old England, you will scarcely notice the difference, except for recognizing an improved understanding of God’s Word. Antiquated Words Clarified and DefinedAlong with the updates of archaic verb forms and other minor textual changes for clarity that were noted above, the kjver helps the contemporary reader to comprehend the text in the following ways:
Hebrew Names of God Explained and DefinedThe Bible contains a number of names of God that contribute to our understanding of various aspects of His nature and character. Some names of God are used thousands of times in the Old Testament. For a fuller discussion of these names and their significance, please refer to the section “The Hebrew Names and Attributes of God.” In addition, the following feature is found in the text itself in order to help increase your awareness and understanding: less common names of God have been underlined and then defined in the notations directly following the verses in which they occur. For simplification and text readability, more common names of God—El, Elohim, Jehovah, and Jehovah Elohim—are not underlined or defined within the text. However, again, these names and their definitions may be found in “The Hebrew Names and Attributes of God” section. Studying the names of God will prove to be a continual source of inspiration and blessing. You will need to consult the explanatory pages for the basic definitions of the names of God only a few times before being able to remember their particular meaning(s), and you will soon find your Bible reading enriched when encountering a particular name of God chosen by the Holy Spirit for our illumination.
Plural Forms of Words IdentifiedThe Hebrew of the Old Testament often uses a plural form for deity. To indicate which form is being used, the abbreviations “s.f.” (singular form) and “p.f.” (plural form) immediately follow the names of God in the end-of-verse notes that identify a particular Hebrew word that is translated as “God” or “Lord” in the text. In addition, plural forms of “you” and “your” in relation to people are indicated with with a “p” directly following the word.
Cross-References ProvidedCross-references in Scripture for certain biblical events and themes are listed directly below the verses in which they are found.
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Examples of red lettering in both Old and New Testaments: