William Tyndale translates the New Testament and part of the Old into English for ordinary people. He is martyred, but his words live on.
The Story of the King James Version
A calm look at how we received this beloved Bible
The King James Version is not just a translation — it is a labor of love, prayer, and careful scholarship that God has used for over 400 years to speak to millions.
King James I calls for a new translation so the whole nation can have one faithful English Bible.
Forty-seven scholars (working in six teams at Westminster, Oxford, and Cambridge) carefully revise earlier translations. They build on Tyndale, the Bishops’ Bible, and the Geneva Bible while going back to the original Hebrew and Greek.
The King James Version is published. It quickly becomes the Bible of the English-speaking world.
The edition most of us read today (minor spelling and punctuation updates for clarity).
Why the KJV still feels special
- It was made to be read aloud — the rhythm and beauty of the language make it easy to remember.
- The translators wanted every English speaker to hear the Word clearly and reverently.
- Nearly 90% of the New Testament still echoes William Tyndale’s faithful work from 400 years earlier.
Sample: Psalm 23, first line (1611 style beside familiar wording)
1611 spelling
The Lord is my shepheard, I shall not want.
Familiar KJV (1769 tradition)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Same verse, same faithfulness — small changes in spelling and punctuation over centuries. Public-domain text; we show it here for history, not as a second translation on the site.
Closing note
This Bible has comforted the grieving, strengthened the weary, and pointed countless souls to Christ. We honor it here by keeping it pure, private, and easy to use.