Both the vocabulary and grammar have changed considerably. As a result, a reader often must retranslate the King James into modern English in his or her mind. For many people, especially children, reading the King James Version is like reading a foreign language. Which brings us to the numerous modern translations. Most of these have been produced by fine scholars using the many thousands of manuscripts available today.
Different translations are better for various purposes.
If you are interested in serious study of the Bible, including grammar and vocabulary, you will want a more literal translation, such as the New King James, New American Standard, or New Revised Standard. The following is an annotated list of the most popular modern English translations. Originally intended as a children's translation, it uses a very simple, contemporary style. This is an especially good translation for people who speak English as a second language. This very free, though very accurate, translation avoids the use of traditional biblical vocabulary and communicates especially well with youth and the unchurched.