The King James Version (KJV) and the New King James Version (NKJV) are two of the most popular Bibles in Indian churches. They share a name, a history and much of their wording — so what actually separates them, and which one should you buy?
A short history
The KJV was published in 1611 in England. Its translators worked from the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament (using the Greek text later known as the Textus Receptus), with careful attention to earlier English translations. For more than three centuries it was the English Bible, and its phrases shaped the English language itself.
The NKJV was completed in 1982. Its goal was not to create a new translation from scratch but to update the KJV: keep its structure, rhythm and textual base, while replacing words that have changed meaning or dropped out of everyday English.
The main differences
1. Old pronouns and verb endings
The KJV uses “thee”, “thou”, “thy” and “thine”, and verb endings like “-eth” and “-est” (“he walketh”, “thou art”). The NKJV replaces these with “you”, “your”, “walks” and “are”. The meaning is the same, but the NKJV is much easier for modern readers.
2. Words that changed meaning
Some English words have shifted over four hundred years. For example, in the KJV:
- “Prevent” often meant go before, not stop.
- “Conversation” usually meant way of life or conduct, not talking.
- “Let” could mean hinder — the opposite of today’s meaning.
- “Charity” in 1 Corinthians 13 means love.
The NKJV updates these words so readers aren’t misled.
3. Capitalised pronouns for God
The NKJV capitalises pronouns that refer to God (“He”, “Him”, “His”). The KJV does not. Some readers find this helpful; others note that it reflects a translation decision about who is speaking.
4. Footnotes
The NKJV includes footnotes that point out where Greek manuscripts differ, so readers can see alternative readings. The standard KJV text has no such notes.
5. Same textual base
Both Bibles follow the same Hebrew and Greek textual tradition. This sets them apart from most modern translations (NIV, ESV, NLT), which rely more heavily on other manuscript families. For readers who care about this question, the KJV and NKJV stand together.
A side-by-side feel
Read a familiar psalm or a passage from Romans in both versions and you’ll notice that the NKJV sounds very close to the KJV — the sentence order and rhythm are kept — but the vocabulary is today’s English. That is exactly what its translators intended.
Which should you choose?
Choose the KJV if:
- your church reads from the KJV and you want to follow word for word;
- you are memorising Scripture as you learned it in childhood;
- you love the beauty and rhythm of classic English;
- you read older hymns, sermons and books that quote it.
Choose the NKJV if:
- you want the KJV’s structure and textual base in modern English;
- you are teaching young people or new believers;
- you preach in a KJV-tradition church but want listeners to understand every word;
- you find “thee” and “thou” a barrier when reading.
Or own both. Many readers keep a KJV for church and memorisation and an NKJV for personal study. Reading a passage in both is a simple way to understand difficult wording.
Study editions
Both versions come in study Bible editions with notes, references, maps and concordances, as well as large-print and leather editions. Used and pre-owned copies are widely available and are good value.
Browse our KJV Bibles, NKJV Bibles, used KJV and used NKJV, or read our full guide to choosing a Bible translation.