# 21st Century King James Version

The 21st Century King James Version (KJ21) is an updated version of the King James Version Bible published in 1994 that stays aligned to the Textus Receptus, and does not remove biblical passages based on Alexandrian Greek manuscripts. In contrast to the New King James Version, it does not alter the language significantly from the 1611 King James Version, retaining Jacobean grammar (including "thee" and "thou"), but it does attempt to replace some of the vocabulary that might no longer make sense to a modern reader.
The reader should notice almost no difference from reading the King James Version except that certain archaic words have been replaced with words that are more understandable in modern English. The translation is directed towards readers who are looking for a very conservative King James update, but reduce the use of obsolete words.
A version containing the Apocrypha and without the unusual formatting was released under the name Third Millennium Bible in 1998.

## Background

The 21st Century King James Version Bible is an updated version of the King James Version. It is not generally considered to be a new translation.

## Alterations

Unlike the New King James Version, the 21st Century King James Version does not alter the language significantly from the King James Version. The author has eliminated "obsolete words". The changes in words are based on the second edition of the Webster's New International Dictionary. There were no changes related to gender or theology. Recently, it has the capitalization of pronouns much like New King James Version, addressing Deity while maintaining the archaic pronouns.
Examples comparing changes made by the 21st Century King James Version:
| Verse | 21st Century King James Version | King James Version |
| Ezra 9:3 | ....and sat down stunned. | ...and sat down astonied. |
| Isaiah 11:8 | And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. | And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. |
| Luke 11:27 | ....the breasts which thou hast sucked". | ...the paps which thou hast sucked". |
| Romans 8:4 | that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. | That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:7 | For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now holdeth back will hold him back, until he is taken out of the way. | For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. |
| Hebrews 13:5 | Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”; | Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. |
The 21st Century King James Version also contains some distinct formatting. Passages considered "more familiar" are in bold print, while "less familiar" passages are placed in a sans-serif print. Passages from the Revised Common Lectionary are marked with diamonds, and the translations of names are sometimes included with brackets.
The 21st Century King James Version has also been published in an edition with the Apocrypha and without the unusual formatting; this is known as the Third Millennium Bible.