THE

NEW TESTAMENT
International King James Version

Translated out of the original Greek language

AFRICA
INTERNATIONAL
MISSIONS

©
Copyright 2001
Africa International Missions
Cape Town, South Africa
Hutchinson, Kansas U.S.A.

www.africainternational.org
 PREFACE
The heritage of the King James Version started with the sixteenth
century translation of the New Testament by William Tyndale. Tyndale’s
work greatly influenced the translators of the King James Version, and
thus, many of his renditions of the Greek text were retained in the 1611
translation of the King James Version. Many revisions have been made
to the original King James Version since its first publication. This Inter-
national King James Version is another revision into contemporary En-
glish with the purpose of bringing the 1611 translation to an expanded
audience of readers who speak English as their second language. Since
there is never an end to the work of translation, the same is true in refer-
ence to the work of revision. All languages change, and thus, the changes
of the language into which any version is made must continually be in-
corporated into the original translation. Because of the impact of the
original King James Version on the religious world, it was believed by
those who have worked with this revision that the heritage of the original
translation should be continued through revisions that would bring the
translation of the original King James Version into contemporary En-
glish that is easy to read.
All who were involved in the International King James Version
project maintained a high regard for the verbal plenary inspiration of the
Scriptures. The guiding principle was maintained that every word in the
original autographs was inscribed without error through the guiding in-
fluence of the Holy Spirit in inspiration. The Bible in its entirety was
given to men from God as the Holy Spirit carried along the minds of
godly men in order that the original autographs be written without error.
The art of preserving the Scriptures through the work of scribes who
faithfully copied the original autographs, was not inspired. However,
through the providential hand of God, we believe that the Scriptures
have been preserved for us today in a form with which God is pleased,
and by which all men can come to a knowledge of the gospel.
This revision was made with general reference to the principles of
translation that were maintained by the original translators of the 1611
King James Version. A literal approach to rendition was foremost in the
minds of the revisers. Except for the translation of idioms, every effort
was made to avoid paraphrasing. In those texts where a word or phrase
is highly inferred, italics are used to alert the reader to the fact that a
particular word or phrase has been added that was not in the original
text. When any revision of the original translation was made, every ef-
fort was made to bring the rendition into clear and natural English that
reflects literary quality in contemporary English. Since this version is
directed to those who read English as a second language, attention was
given to sentence structure that could easily be understood. Short sen-
tences have been incorporated in order to give the reader the advantage
of a better understanding of the text. In shortening sentences, most of
the Greek conjunctions that were often used instead of punctuation in the
original autographs, have been retained in order to maintain reading simi-
larity with the original King James Version. Depending on the context,
however, we have taken the liberty to translate the Greek word kai with
justifiable English equivalents that aid in maintaining continuity of read-
ing.
In order to produce a revision in contemporary English that is easy
to read, and yet faithful to the original Greek text, some revisions have
been made to conform to contemporary literary style. Present-day vo-
cabulary, punctuation and syntax have been determined according to
present-day literary styles. The archaic words of “thee” and “thou,” and
similar words, have been changed to contemporary forms. The “eth”
and “est” endings have given way to the modern usage of verb spelling.
In order to maintain honor of God, pronouns that are used in reference to
God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have been capitalized. Because of
the difficulty of determining the standards of weights, measures and
monies, the original ancient words have been retained. All quotations of
the Old Testament have been placed in italics and quotation marks in
order to alert the reader to their presence in the text. Quotation marks
without italics have been used to signify the biblical author’s quotation
of speakers in the text. The symbol ¶ indicates paragraphs. Subtitles
have been added in the text in order to aid the student to identify major
changes of subjects by the original authors.
Every effort has been made to remain faithful to the original Greek
text. Though the original translators of the 1611 translation worked from
a reliable Greek text, we have felt compelled to include textual revisions
of the Nestle Greek text and the United Bible Societies’ Greek text. Verses
and phrases that are in brackets are those readings that are questioned by
the Nestle and United Bible Societies’ Greek text, and yet, have been
retained in this revision.
The International King James Version is the result of a sincere
interest on the part of thousands of Christians who believe that God com-
municates to the world today through His written word. This version is
the work of dedicated believers in the Bible who seek to present to the
world a version that is easy to read by those who seek to understand
God’s communication to all men. We send this version forth with the
goal that men and women throughout the world will have a greater op-
portunity to study God’s will, and by obedience to such, live their lives
in an acceptable manner before our Creator.