The question that leads to more questions.......

KJV = telephone game

NIV, NASB = copy machine

 

why do you say that about the KJV?

 

The history of the KJV dates back to around 400 a.d. with the translation of "Old Latin" scriptures being translated into "Classical Latin" by St. Jerome. The New Testament wasn't even compiled until 300 a.d. by the Nicean Council. Until then, it existed only as the individual letters and gospels of the various apostles that had been handed down and circulated since around 65 a.d. But the original texts were written in Koine Greek, Aramaic, and Ancient Hebrew -- not Latin. So at least one translation happened during that 300+ year span from the original languages to Old Latin. So we've got translations from:

original languages --> Old Latin

Then, original languages + Old Latin --> Classical Latin

In the early 1500's, another revision was done, and the existing documents were re-translated into both Classical Latin and Greek.

original languages + Classical Latin --> revised Classical Latin + Greek

Roughly 100 years after that, the Church of England commissioned a translation of the last Latin version into English. That was the birth of the King James Bible as we know it.

 

so should i burn my kjv? pick up a NIV?

 

I wouldn't do that.

Seriously, the KJV is nice at times for its language -- particularly the Psalms. But for pure study and/or meditation, I'd enthusiastically recommend the NIV over the KJV.