KJV

The King James Version (KJV), also known as the Authorized Version, is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1611 by the Church of England. It was commissioned by King James I and produced by a committee of scholars drawn from the English churches. The translation drew primarily on the Hebrew Masoretic Text for the Old Testament and on the Greek Textus Receptus for the New Testament; the Apocrypha appeared in many early printings as part of the Bible, though its status varies by edition and denomination.

Work on the project began after the Hampton Court Conference of 1604 and continued for several years, with the first edition printed by Robert Barker in London. The 1611 text underwent later minor changes and standardization, and a comprehensive revision by Oxford scholar Benjamin Blayney culminated in the 1769 edition, which became the basis for most modern printings.

Language and style are characteristic of Early Modern English, with a cadence and diction that have influenced English literature and religious language. The translation preserves many archaisms and formal forms such as thou/thee and ye, while introducing familiar phrases that have entered common usage.

Textual criticism notes that the KJV was produced from late medieval manuscripts and the Greek Textus Receptus, rather than from the oldest available manuscripts. As a result, some readings differ from modern critical editions that incorporate older manuscripts. Nevertheless, the KJV is valued for its literary quality and its role in shaping English Bible translation.

Today the KJV remains widely used in many Protestant churches and in English-language liturgy, study, and quotation. While numerous modern translations have superseded it for some uses, the KJV continues to be read, memorized, and cited for its historical influence and enduring literary prestige.