Bible Version Comparison, The New International Version

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by: Timothy
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Word Count: 4976
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2009 Time: 5:09 PM
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Interestingly enough, these new versions contain copyrights. How is it that if you are supposed to be representing Gods Word that you can copyright it? I don't get it. Anyway for the sake of the publishers rights I will be listing their copyrights as I examine each one.

THE NIV

(1973, 1978)

So let's see what the big deal is. It would be safe to begin with a inspection of the NIV. The NIV seems to be the most popular modern version with the brethren and a good place to start. This is, by the way, an ongoing study and you may want to check back with this page from time to time for updates.

Inside the front cover we find:

• The Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1978 by New York International Bible Society
  • The New Testament, New International Version
    • © 1973 by New York Bible Society International
    • © 1978 by New York International Bible Society
      • Portions of this Bible have been previously published under the following copyrights by the New York International Bible Society.
        • The Book of John © 1970; The Book of Isaiah © 1975; The Book of Daniel © 1976; Proverbs and Ecclesiastes © 1977

Lets start with what verses have been removed completely by the NIV authors. Yes I did say REMOVED!!!

They are:
	Matthew 17:21 - 18:11 - 23:14
	Mark 7:16 - 9:44 - 9:46  - 11:26 - 15:28
	Luke 17:36 - 23:17
	John 5:4
	Acts 8:37 - 15:34 - 24:7 - 28:29
	Romans 16:24
	1st John 5:7

And what were these verses?

• Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (KJV) These are the Words of the Savior!
• Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (KJV) Again, the Words of the Savior!
• Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. (KJV) Unless I'm confused, aren't these also the Words of the Savior?
• Mark 7:16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. (KJV) Again the Words of the Savior telling us that we had better listen up!!!
• Mark:9:44: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (KJV) Heaven forbid that we should hear about Hell from the Savior! Again, the Lords Words.
• Mark 9:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (KJV) Again, gone is the very Words of the Savior!
• Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (KJV) Ya know, I'm beginning to worry a bit about what you folks are missing when you read this version! Where did these "All Important" Words of Jesus go to?
• Mark15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. (KJV) Isn't this a verse confirming that Jesus fulfilled prophesy? Now why do you suppose this was left out?
• Luke 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (KJV) I don't get it! This is important info about the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and again, straight from the mouth of the Savior!!!
• Luke 23:17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) (KJV) OK, I ain't quite so dumb as to not know that this is the first reference of Jesus dieing in the place of another. Gee, didn't He die in the place of us all?
• John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. (KJV) This is a major part of the story. Why remove it?
• Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (KJV) Hey, now wait a minute. Isn't this one of the passages that tells us that if we believe in Jesus Christ in His Deity we will be saved!
• Acts 15:34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. (KJV) OK, part of a story line made incomplete. Hum?
• Acts 24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, Lord forbid that we should mention how violently Paul was taken into custody!
• Acts 28 29: And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. (KJV) Wouldn't it be nice to know that Pauls words didn't completely fall on deaf ears?
• 1st John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (KJV) Hey, isn't this one of the KEY verses that describe the Godhead? God the Father, God the Son (Word), God the Holy Ghost?

It's enough in just these omissions to make a preacher fuss. So what's next?

How about we scope out a verse dealing with Christian fellowship and bearing one anothers burdens.

• (KJV) James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
• (NIV) James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. NIV®
  • It's clear that we are to share one anothers burdens (faults) for the moral and well being of the saints. On the other hand it is nothing but Roman Catholic dogma to confess our sins to one another. We are to confess our faults to one another. Our sins are to be confessed to God. There is a big difference in faults and sins.
    • Definitions of Fault and of Sin
      • fault n. A character weakness, especially a minor one. Something that impairs or detracts from physical perfection; a defect. See Synonyms at blemish. A mistake; an error. A minor offense or misdeed.
      • sin n. A transgression of a religious or moral law, especially when deliberate. Theology. Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God. A condition of estrangement from God resulting from such disobedience. Something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong.

In Psalms the psalmist proclaims the benefits of Gods preservation of His Word and yet somehow it has been change to mean something else.

• (KJV) Psalms 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever
• (NIV) Psalms 12:6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. 12:7 O LORD , you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. NIV®
  • These two verses plainly are talking about preserving the Word of God yet once you get into the NIV, we see that it is no longer the Word of God being preserved but us, Gods people. How exactly did that happen?

What does the KJV and the NIV say about Jesus Christ being God in the Flesh?

• (KJV) 1st Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
• (NIV) 1st Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. NIV®
  • In the King James Version it's plain that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. In the New International Version it only says "He" and nowhere in this verse is the deity of Christ even acknowledged.

Lets look at the instrument of our Salvation, the Blood, and see what we find.

• (KJV) Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
• (NIV) Colossians 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. NIV®
  • Where did the Blood go??? It's been removed!!! (KJV) Hebrews 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

How about the uniqueness of Jesus being the "Only Begotten Son of God?

• (KJV) John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
• (NIV) John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. NIV®
  • This one sort of makes the blood boil. Jesus "IS" the Only Begotten Son of God!!! A uniqueness because He is also God! Without the word "Begotten", anyone can be this unique being so to speak.

Then there are verses where the meaning has been completely reversed or changed.

• (KJV) Isaiah 9:3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
• (NIV) Isaiah 9:3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
  • How did "and not increased the joy" become "and increased their joy"? Opposite meanings, right?
• (KJV) Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
• (NIV) Colossians 2:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. NIV®
  • How did "intruding into those things which he hath not seen" become "great detail about what he has seen"? Totally opposite again!
• (KJV) Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
• (NIV) Revelation 13:1 And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. NIV®
  • Now how is it that all of a sudden it's Satan (the dragon) standing on the shore instead of John the revelator? Interesting!

How about our Christian walk?

• (KJV) Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
• (NIV) Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'" NIV®
  • The NIV says to walk in the "good way," but does not tell you that the old paths are the good way, but suggests the "ancient paths" or pagan ways are best. Look again at KJV. Stand "in the ways" that would be the ways of God. The NIV with "crossroads" suggests many different paths.
• (KJV) 1st Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
• (NIV) 1st Thessalonians 5:22 Avoid every kind of evil. NIV®
  • Big difference here! Someone can be innocent of wrongdoing, but be in a situation that makes it APPEAR he is guilty. The Word of God wants us to avoid even LOOKING guilty as well being guilty!

What about the reason/reasons Jesus came to the earth?

• (KJV) Luke 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
• (NIV) Luke 9:56 and they went to another village. NIV®
  • OK they went to another village! What about the Lords Words concerning His NECESSARY purpose?

And what about the free gift of Salvation? The NIV makes Salvation look hard to accomplish when actually all the verse was saying is that it is hard to trust in riches and get saved. This, in my opinion is a total perversion of the Word.

• (KJV) Mark 10:24 Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
• (NIV) Mark 10:24 Jesus said again, Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! NIV®

Here is one last smack in the nose concerning the NIV. Wasn't David the one who slew Goliath? The NIV says it was Elhanan that killed Goliath when it was actually Goliaths brother that Elhanan slew.

• (NIV) 2nd Samuel 21:19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod. NIV®
  • Here is how the verse really reads:
    • (KJV) 2nd Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

One other point I want you to notice. The word "Sodomite" has been completely removed from the NIV. Interestingly enough this version has become the text of those involved in trying to justify homosexuality in the scriptures. Just a footnote though, if God created some to be heterosexual and then He created others to be homosexual, you would then have to reason to say that God owes an apology to the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah for their destruction. To say even such is blasphemy. The most likely reason why the word "sodomite" was removed from the NIV is one of the editors of this book was a woman by the name of Virginia Ramey Mollenkott. This woman is a professed, in your face, lesbian who has no shame in hiding her sin from the world and worked from beginning to end on this book (the NIV). Mollenkott and a woman named Letha Scanzoni authored another book entitled "Is the Homosexual My Neighbor?" in 1978, in which she called for "nondiscrimination toward homosexuality". In this book they state that the account of Sodom in Genesis doesn't teach the evil of homosexuality, but the evils of violent gang rape and inhospitality to strangers.

The book also claims that "the idea of a life long homosexual orientation or 'condition' is never mentioned in the Bible" and that Romans chapter one does not "fit the case of a sincere homosexual Christian". (p. 71) That's not what I read here in Romans 1:25-28. (KJV) Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Is that what you see in these verses???

Well after seeing all these things about the NIV, why do you suppose these certain verses were removed or changed? The reason I have found is that this book was not translated from the original text (named "Textus Receptus" a decade or two after the translation) but from another source. The NIV is mainly comprised of translations from the Septuagint Greek text by Hellenistic Jews during the period 275 - 100 BC at Alexandria, Egypt  & the totally corrupted Alexandrian manuscripts Sinaticus and Vaticanus or the Roman Catholic texts put together by Westcott and Hort (1881-1901). Why corrupted you ask? These translations that came out of Alexandria Egypt were mainly translated by the Alexandrian Jews who were known for their error and mingling of superstition into their works and they were aided by pagan scholars as well in their completion.

The Great Library of Ancient Alexandria, Egypt

I think it is interesting to note the fact that the pope John Paul put the Received Text (Textus Receptus), on the Index of Forbidden Books. Even the more aggrivating is that possibly the only authentic copies of the Received Text have been scarfed up by the Vatican and hid away in their protected archives. The reason being is that the Received Text was so different from the Catholic Church’s Vulgate Bible, which is based on the Vaticanus manuscript. It became a major threat to their dogmas and traditions. Protestants have reworked their Greek text to match Rome’s Vaticanus manuscript also. Roman Catholic cardinal Carlo Martini is even on the Protestant Greek New Testament committee. The prefaces to the Roman Catholic New American Bible, the NASB, and the NIV, all tell the reader that they are based on the same Nestle/UBS Greek (Alexandrian) text.

Note: It is the assertion of the Roman Catholic Church that the Received Text no longer exists. If that be true, why put it on the Index of Forbidden Books? What possible reason would you have to forbid someone to read something that no longer exists?   End Cover of the NIV by Zondervan For my reference to this study I have the leather covered NIV by Zondervan. On this book, not surprisingly you find a cross on the end cover face and on the inside cover. But not just a cross but a very stylized cross. It didn't take much study at all to realized that this isn't a Christian Cross at all but an ancient Celtic cross from the pagan, pre-Christian days of Ireland. Although it is slightly disguised you can tell the pagan Celtic cross solely by the even lengthed arms. Following the roots of this symbol takes you directly to the sacrificial alters of Wiccan.

Inside leaf of the NIV by Zondervan Pre Christian Celtic Cross The O'Donnell Cross Notice the modified Triquetra on each arm of the cross. 9th Century Celtic Cross of Clonmacnois The Celtic Cross carved in stone on the British Isles. Marker showing that a Satanic Black Mass has or is about to take place. Wiccan/Celtic Origins

Most would think this to be a small issue because in the early years of Christianity on the British Isles this symbol was borrowed & adopted by the Christian converts. Actually and to be honest with you if it is OK to accept this symbol for Christianity why not go ahead and accept the pentagram? Why not, because if it's not of God, it's of the devil! That's why... 1st Corinthians 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 10:22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? (KJV) & Isaiah 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. (KJV) And here is a shock for you! A not to well known fact is that in 1988, Zondervan, who publishes the NIV was bought by Harper & Row, Publishers (currently ~ Harper Collins Publishers) Harper Collins publishes certain pro-homosexual books like Making Out, The Book of Lesbian Sex and Sexuality and advertised as "Beautifully illustrated with full-color photography,...Making Out is the complete illustrated guide to lesbian sexuality and relationships...the intricacies of love play..." Is this the sort of people God would allow to preserve and publish His Word?

Below is a question sent in by one of the folks visiting our website:

Q. The KJV uses the words "believe on"..., while the NIV uses the words "believe in"... What is the scriptural difference between these phrases? [Anon]

A. This would be yet another example of the watering down of the Word of God. (NIV) Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." NIV® Have you ever been asked by someone if you Believe In something? In other words it is a step of accepting something, not necessarily holding any stock or need any natural or spiritual proof of, but just believe in something. This is saying that if you believe in His name then you have the right to become a child of God. For a while as a little child I believed in Santa Claus. After I became older and realized that dear ole Santa was just a figure that represented the Christmas spirit, I no longer believed in Santa as an actual person.

However, when read as properly translated from the KJV: Acts:16:31: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house., we see that not only are we believing in but on the very name of Jesus Christ. This is a much deeper and fuller meaning because we are putting our hope on the entire being of the Lord and Savior. Not as merely a symbol but on every fiber of what He came here for, what He preached, what He did, how He did what He did, and what He is doing for us this very day. There is a major difference here in these two examples.

The same can be said of the following verses:

• (NIV) John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- NIV®
• (KJV) John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

You can also plainly look at the difference in the words right & power. Sure, we will then have the right but then we also need the power. And that power comes from no other place but from God Himself.

Timothy

About the Author

Tim Davis is an author, pastor, police chaplain, and webmaster. If you have any questions about the above article, please visit either The Baptist 1611 Message Board or the PCIM Christian Community Message Board and start a thread.

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