“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
— Psalm 12:6–7 (KJV)
One of Satan’s first attacks in the Bible was not a spear, but a question:
“Yea, hath God said…?” — Genesis 3:1
From the very beginning, the devil’s strategy has been to undermine God’s Word. And today, he continues this ancient deception through modern Bible versions that omit, change, or water down the very scriptures that save and sanctify us.
In this article, we compare the King James Bible with the ESV, NIV, and NKJV to show that missing words lead to missing doctrine — and ultimately to strange teachings that confuse rather than convict.
What’s at Stake: Corruption vs. Clarification
Modern translations are marketed as “easier to understand,” but what they don’t tell you is that many foundational doctrines — the blood of Christ, the deity of Christ, hell, confession, repentance, and even God’s promise to preserve His Word — are subtly weakened or outright removed.
“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 2:17 (KJV)
In modern versions, the word “corrupt” is replaced with “peddle”, shifting the accusation from textual tampering to merely money-making — a clever but dangerous deflection.
Missing Verses and Changed Meanings: A Comparison Table
Below is a sample of 25+ scriptures where the KJV is doctrinally clear, but modern versions introduce confusion or omission:
| Verse | KJV | ESV / NIV / NKJV | Doctrinal Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew 18:11 | “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” | Omitted or footnote | Weakens Christ’s mission |
| Colossians 1:14 | “…redemption through his blood” | “Redemption” only | Removes blood atonement |
| Acts 8:37 | “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” | Omitted | Hides confession before baptism |
| 1 Corinthians 2:17 | “…which corrupt the word of God” | “Peddle” | Hides textual corruption |
| Luke 4:4 | “…but by every word of God.” | Omitted | Minimizes full counsel of God |
| Psalm 12:7 | “Thou shalt preserve them…” | “You will keep us” | Removes Word preservation promise |
| Daniel 3:25 | “…the Son of God.” | “a son of the gods” | Denies the pre-incarnate Christ |
| Mark 15:28 | “…he was numbered with the transgressors.” | Omitted | Erases fulfilled prophecy |
| Romans 8:1 | “…who walk not after the flesh…” | Omitted | Removes sanctification condition |
| Matthew 5:44 | “Bless them that curse you…” | Omitted | Loss of Jesus’ full teaching |
(And many more included in your downloadable version.)
The NKJV: The Bridge to Corruption
At first glance, the New King James Version (NKJV) seems harmless. But it contains:
- Over 100,000 word changes from the KJV
- Removal of “Lord” 66 times
- Omission of “God” 51 times
- “Jehovah” completely removed
Why? Because it is copyrighted, and in order to secure legal ownership, the text must be different.
This isn’t about clarity — it’s about commerce. And worse, it opens the door to doctrinal erosion one word at a time.
Satan’s Tactic: Still Working Today
“Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.”
— Mark 4:15
Modern Bible versions are a fulfillment of this very strategy. By changing or removing what God has said, they create a breeding ground for strange doctrines. If key verses are omitted or weakened, then:
- Repentance becomes optional.
- The blood of Christ becomes a metaphor.
- The deity of Christ becomes diluted.
- The gospel becomes unclear.
God Promised to Preserve His Words
“The words of the LORD are pure words…
Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
— Psalm 12:6–7 (KJV)
The KJV upholds this truth. The NIV and ESV shift the subject of verse 7 from God’s words to people, robbing the verse of its doctrinal promise.
The Psychological and Spiritual Dulling of Truth
When you remove the sharpness of truth, you remove the urgency of repentance. When you soften God’s Word, you distort God’s character. These corrupt Bible versions sow seeds of compromise, gradually shaping a God who no longer judges sin, who permits neutrality, and who allows a third category of the “almost saved” to sit outside the gates of heaven — a lie born in hell.
As one brother said after reading these changes:
“Oh, I think I am going to vomit.”
The Final Warning: Revelation 22
“If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book…
If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life…”
— Revelation 22:18–19
This is not a light matter. God warns against adding to or removing from His words — and modern versions do both.
A Final Word: Stand Fast
The King James Bible has stood for over 400 years, borne fruit in revivals, missions, and deep spiritual transformation. It is not just a relic — it is God’s preserved Word in English.
The question today is not, “Which version is easiest to read?” but:
“Which version is truly the Word of God — without addition or subtraction?”
“Let God be true, but every man a liar.”
— Romans 3:4