Missing Verses & changed words in modern Bibles compared to the KJV?

The King James Version (KJV) of The Bible was published in 1611 and was based upon analysing multiple previous copies of Bibles and manuscripts available at the time.

Fifty four (although only 47 finished) of the most highly respected theologians, linguists and academics were given this task of publishing the most accurate and comprehensive version of the Bible.

Each member of the “task-force” was arranged in six groups. Each group individually and collectively analysed every available manuscript (of which there are currently about 5,200 separate documents in the world) and created what is accepted as the most comprehensive Biblical document available.

Therefore, since 1611 the King James Version has been the benchmark.

Choose a Bible, Any Bible!

Of recent times we have had many versions produced (No.46 English versions according to www.biblegateway.com that allow for certain doctrines, languages and colloquialisms. Currently many Christians use the New International Version (NIV), New living Translation (NLT) and many more.

However, what I find fascinating is why the newer versions omit certain verses and omit certain words that in turn change the inference of the verses.

It only seems like a small thing at first and being a relatively new believer it is easy to take things on face value. Let’s face it, who would think that there was anything spurious about a few missing verses or words.

The Most Powerful Book on Earth

It is accepted that the bible is the most valuable item that exists on the face of the earth. It was a gift handed to Queen Elizabeth on her coronation and described as such. Every word in the Bible is described as God breathed and therefore has immense power.

It stands to reason that anyone who is afraid of the power of the Word of God would do anything to diminish its effectiveness, but how?

I recently came across a video that highlighted the fact that new Bible versions were omitting certain verses visible in the King James Version (KJV). I watched the film on YouTube with great interest.  Check it out at the bottom of this article.

The newer versions stated that “other versions ADD verses” inferring that the other version(s) are less accurate. That includes the King James Version from which their version was adapted in the first place!

Sixteen Verses Omitted from Modern Bibles

Here are the sixteen whole verses:

1. Matthew 17:21: "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
2. Matthew 18:11: "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."
3. Matthew 23:14: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."
4. Mark 7:16: "If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."
5. Mark 9:44: "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
6. Mark 9:46: "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
7. Mark 11:26: "But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."
8. Mark 15:28: "And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors."
9. Luke 17:36: "Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."
10. John 5:4: "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."
11. Acts 8:37: "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
12. Acts 15:34: "Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still."
13. Acts 24:7: "But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,"
14. Acts 28:29: "And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves."
15. Romans 16:24: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
16. I John 5:7: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

It is important to read the surrounding scriptures to get an understanding of the impact the omission of the above verses really have.

Strangely, it is very easy to verify all of these points by simply visiting www.biblegateway.com and entering in the above verse numbers or cross referencing the words in the table below. If I had not have experienced God’s WORD coming to pass in my life I would be thinking of this as another Dan Brown blockbuster about some religious tangent or other.

Unlike the Dan Brown’s theories the Rose Line or Sangreal, the Bible is the most powerful book in human existence and therefore, only those who are intent on diminishing its powers would ever want to change it.

Table of Changes

The Eternal Battle

The leader of such people would be Satan. And before you click away, that’s what the Bible is all about. The battle between good and evil, God and Satan.

For me, I get goose bumps. I used to think that the whole God/Satan thing was dreamt up by some good story-teller that, should he have been eligible for royalties would be the richest man in existence!

How foolish of me. I have now spent five years studying God’s Word and am more inquisitive than ever before. But then again, so are many people around the world. And it’s not simply getting wound up about some kind of conspiracy theory. It says in the Book of Acts 17:11-12 (KJV) that the men of Berea check and tested everything that Paul and Silas said to them against the Old Testament Scriptures. And that’s exactly what we’re supposed to be doing too.

Keeping the Word in your Mouth and on your Lips

If you look at the word ‘lips’. It is mentioned in the KJV No.118 times. However, it is only mentioned in the NLT No.56 times. Why would the word ‘lips’ be so significant? It is because the Word of God gets it power from the spoken word. Whilst the kingdom of God resides inside each and every Christian, God’s power is released from spoken prayer.

Compare these two versions

Joshua 1:8 (KJV)

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:8 (NLT)

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

The KJV tells the reader to keep ‘saying’ the Word, it "Shall not depart...) whereas the NLT infers that the Word can simply be studied, read and does not imply to read it out loud.

Now compare Psalm 21:2:

Psalm 21:2 (KJV)

Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.

Psalm 21:2 (NLT)

For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested.

The KJV states that God has not withheld the request of his lips, the NLT infers that his request could simply be a thought.

And finally Proverbs 18:21

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

The KJV says death and life ARE in the power of the tongue and the NLT infers that it might be.

The above are just a few verses that illustrate how, by simply editing a few words the whole inference and power of the verse is diminished.

And God Said...

God ‘spoke’ the world in to existence. There is power in the Word and we need to keep that in mind when reading and studying the Word of God. Say it out loud! As far as I am concerned, there is no such thing as silent prayer. That’s called meditation.

Words are things. They are powerful. In 1 Samuel 3:17 Elijah says to Samuel, who has just heard from the Lord in a dream; And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

Conclusion

Whilst the modern day Bibles are easier to read, you should also have a King James Version to cross reference as a word here or a word there (especially thousands of them) can make a whole difference to how you interpret a scripture and listen out for God.

YouTube Video Link

New World Order Bible Versions