Yep.  The King James Version of the Bible was printed 400 years ago this year.  It is a remarkable version.  It’s shaped the English language more than any other single volume in history.  It’s probably even impacted you without you knowing it!  Ever used the phrase, “Pride goeth before a fall?”  That’s from the KJV.  There’s a “fly in the ointment,”  KJV.  She’s the “salt of the earth,” you guessed it, that’s from the KJV.

I confess that my  KJV was gathering dust on the shelf until I decided to use it for my Bible reading plan for 2011 in celebration of the 400th anniversary.  I started reading and came across gem after gem.  One example.  Job 39.26: “Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom?”  Wow, now that particular verse is majestic.  Compare the ESV translation of the same verse: “Is it by your understanding that the hawk flies?”  Sure it gets the point across, but, a little pedestrian, don’t you think?

Not only that but I’m learning a lot of new words in the process.  What’s a meteyard?  Who wears habergeons?  All these references to “divers,” did the ancient Israelites deep sea dive?  The KJV will introduce you to a lot of old/archaic words and that’s a good thing.  It will make you slow down and think, perfect for getting at the meaning of the Bible.

Dust off your KJV and have a go at it.  You’ll understand why it’s been hanging around for 400 years