Two Men and the KJV

After a midweek Bible study, two men lingered in the church foyer, their voices low but animated.

“I’m telling you,” said Mark, tapping his well‑worn study Bible, “the ESV reads more clearly in modern English while staying faithful to the original languages.”

Carl folded his arms over a thick black volume edged in gold. “Modern English isn’t the point. I stick with the King James Version.”

“Why the KJV, specifically?” Mark asked. “Language changes. Translations help us hear what the Hebrew and Greek actually say.”

Carl’s expression never wavered. “Because if the KJV was good enough for the Apostle Paul, it’s good enough for me.”

Mark blinked, then stifled a smile. “You know Paul wrote in Greek, right? The KJV was translated in 1611.”

Carl paused, glanced at his Bible, and let a grin break through. “Well… it’s still the one I love.” They both laughed, the tension gone, and agreed that loving and reading the Bible—whatever faithful translation—was the point.

I believe it was either Pastor Rick Warren or J. Vernon McGee who said “Whenever I am asked which is the best translation to use, I answer the one that you will read“