Timeless King James Update (TKJU) - New Testament

[WordForever]

If you just can't seem to bring yourself to read much of your usual bible version(s), and yet your spirit is willing; may I humbly suggest that you try reading 1 or 2 chapters of the Timeless King James Update (TKJU) New Testament each morning (or another bible which very tightly approximates the King James Version in meaning when you comprehensively compare it verse-by-verse in bible software, yet has satisfactory readability for you)? Or maybe you have read the KJV in the past, and you perceived the words had distinct power [e.g., please consider reading Psalms 90-100 (KJV) to get a taste of that power]; but tackling the KJV Elizabethan/Early Modern English learning-curve hindered you from regularly reading the KJV as your default bible version?

If you can relate to either case above, and you have not yet heard of the Timeless King James Update (TKJU), you might be interested in this description about it:
"The Timeless King James Update (TKJU) New Testament is an English-dialect update to the King James Authorized Version; intended as a complementary reading, studying, & teaching aid to those reluctant to acclimate to Elizabethan/Early Modern English. The TKJU aims to communicate God's Word in more familiar and readable language, while also striving to maintain an uncommon degree of KJV meaning accuracy. Through integrity, the TKJU strives to retain much of the King James Authorized Version's unparalleled power; subject to an iterative refinement process over time. If you consistently read and internalize the King James Authorized Version (or to a little lesser degree the complementary TKJU), and have received God's promise in Ephesians 2:8-9, you shall gain stability, strength, security, and surety in your life, and in the life to come."

*** If you care to check out the TKJU New Testament v1.2 (dated 3/30/2025) in Bible Analyzer (Windows), please follow these instructions:
1) Download the v1.2 TKJUnt.bib file to your desired folder/directory from here: https://theword-modules.com/download/5148
2) Right-click downloaded TKJUnt.bib file
3) Properties
4) Checkmark Unblock
5) OK button
6) Copy TKJUnt.bib file to C:\Users\<"Your Windows Username">\Documents\"Bible Analyzer User Modules" (or your analogous "Bible Analyzer User Modules" drive path)
7) Exit/restart Bible Analyzer
8) Optionally confirm the TKJUnt bible is the expected v1.2 by right-clicking the TKJUnt bible tab - Select "TKJUnt Module Information" - Scroll to the very bottom of the "(TKJUnt) Timeless King James Update - New Testament" window - Ensure v1.2 is listed at the bottom-left.

*** The TKJU NT v1.2 (dated 3/30/2025) is also available in .PDF format [potentially for hard-copies; Adobe Acrobat, SumatraPDF (Windows), or Skim (macOS; can handle large .PDF files)]; MySword (Android) in-app install; for e-Sword (iPhone/iPad/macOS); as an .EPUB eBook [e.g., Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, Apple iBooks, Google Play Books, Calibre Viewer, or SumatraPDF (Windows)]; for "MyBible - Bible" (Android); for theWord (Windows); and for The SWORD Project applications [e.g., Ezra Bible App (macOS/Linux), & Xiphos (Linux)]; please reference your preferred format's installation instructions below, respectively:

** Download a .PDF file of the v1.2 TKJU NT [potentially for hard-copies; Adobe Acrobat, SumatraPDF (Windows), & Skim (macOS; can handle large .PDF files)] from here: https://christian-kindle-library.com/bi ... -testament

** For the MySword (Android) smartphone app (from https://www.mysword.info/download-mysword/mysword ; not Google Play Store), you can in-app install the TKJU NT v1.2 as follows:
1) MySword Gear icon
2) Download Modules
3) Close (if pops-up)
4) If a Download Modules window pops-up stating "The Timeless King James Update (TKJU) New Testament module is new/updated. Would you like to download it?" - Click YES
5) If a green "TKJUnt - Timeless King James Update (TKJU) New Testament" entry is NOT displayed: BIBLE button - English - Scroll down & checkmark "TKJUnt - Timeless King James Update (TKJU) New Testament" - OK
6) START DOWNLOADING button
7) Wait for MySword to restart
8) Optionally confirm the TKJUnt bible is the expected Version: 1.2 from the blue circle i (Information) icon -- About Module
9) If there are two TKJUnt bibles installed, delete the currently selected down-level one(s) using the MySword paper shredder icon -- Enter tkj to confirm deletion [this is uncommon; but can occur if for whatever reason you side-load the tkjuNT.bbl_.mybible (with an extra underscore) from https://www.myswordmodules.com/bibles/e ... -testament ]
10) If the bible acronym is TkjuNT (and not TKJUnt), then Gear icon -- Preferences -- Scroll down & select Clear abbreviations cache -- YES -- OK (this is very uncommon)
* Alternatively, the MySword TKJU NT v1.2 file tkjuNT.bbl.mybible file (dated 3/30/2025) is available for manual side-loads (as an alternative to MySword's native in-app TKJU NT module download functionality) directly from here: https://theword-modules.com/download/5081

** For e-Sword LT (iPhone) / e-Sword HD (iPad) users:
1) Download the e-Sword v1.2 tkjuNT.bbli file to your Downloads folder from here: https://www.eswordlibrary.com/bible/the ... -testament
2) Swipe down from top-middle
3) Search for Files app
4) Files app (blue folder icon)
5) Tap desired Location in sidebar (e.g., Downloads folder; Show Sidebar icon if necessary)
6) Select
7) Tap & hold tkjuNT.bbli file
8) Share
9) eSword
10) If the above steps do not work for some reason: Alternatively, attach the downloaded tkjuNT.bbli file to an unsent cloud eMail draft (even without a To Address) - Open the said eMail draft on your iPhone / iPad - Tap & hold the attached tkjuNT.bbli file - Share - eSword)
11) Exit/restart e-Sword LT app (for iPhone) / e-Sword HD app (for iPad)
12) Optionally confirm the TKJUnt bible is the expected v1.2 (version is indicated at the very bottom of the Bible - Information text)

** Download an .EPUB file of the v1.2 TKJU NT [for eBook readers such as Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, Apple iBooks, Google Play Books, Calibre Viewer, or SumatraPDF (Windows)] from here: https://christian-kindle-library.com/bi ... -testament

* For Kindle (Paperwhite):
1) eMail the TKJU_NT.epub file to your Send-to Kindle.com eMail address (found under Kindle Settings - Send-to-Kindle e-Mail information; no Subject line is necessary)
2) Wait around 10-20 minutes for the TKJU_NT to show up on your Kindle eBook list

** For "My Bible - Bible" (Android; free on "Google Play"; developer's website https://mybible.zone ), you can set-up a MyBible Extra Module Registry for in-app installing the TKJU NT v1.2 module as follows:
1) Copy this TKJU NT Extra Module Registry URL to the Android clipboard: https://theword-modules.com/download/4984
2) "My Bible - Bible" 3-dot menu at top-right
3) Modules icon
4) 3-dot menu at top-right
5) Extra module registries
6) Only if TKJUntMyBible.registry.json is already present: Long tap the same - Trashbin icon at top-right - Delete hotspot in pop-up
7) + hotspot at top-right
8) Clipboard Paste icon to right of the Download URL field [continuing from step (1) above]
9) OK hotspot at bottom-right of pop-up
10) Add hotspot at bottom-right of pop-up
11) Back/Return left-arrow
12) All module types pull-down menu twisty-arrow at bottom-left - From extra module registries (bottom of menu)
13) English - Bible modules pull-down menu twisty-arrow
14) Tap TKJUnt Timeless King James Update (TKJU) - New Testament
15) Only if Download icon in top toolbar is grayed out: Trashbin icon at top-right - Delete hotspot in pop-up - Tap TKJUnt "Timeless King James Update (TKJU) - New Testament"
16) Download icon in top toolbar
17) Download hotspot in pop-up
18) Back/Return left-arrow
19) "Bible acronym" button at top-left
20) TKJUnt Timeless King James Update (TKJU) - New Testament
21) For TKJU About Information, quickly double-tap Preface hyperlink near top (and later embedded Footnote "[1]" hyperlinks can be quickly double-tapped the same way); or alternatively swipe-down on the toolbar's reference verse # (but don't swipe-down all the way from the top-edge), scroll down to the bottom of the vertical toolbar pop-up. and click "i" circle (module About Information) icon at the very bottom
22) Optionally ensure v1.2 is listed at the bottom of the TKJU About Information - X Close at top-right

** For theWord (Windows), you can install v1.2 of the TKJU NT by performing the following 7 steps:
1) Select Install modules... from theWord File menu
2) Press Download file from URL... button
3) Right-click the hyperlink & select Copy link (address) here: https://theword-modules.com/download/5076
4) Paste (via Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut) into theWord URL pop-up window - Press OK button
5) Press Install selected modules... button - Press Yes button (to restart theWord)
6) Optionally confirm the TKJUnt bible is the expected v1.2 by right-clicking the TkjuNT bible tab - Info... - Ensure Version: 1.2 is listed at the bottom-left.
7) If there are two TkjuNT bible tabs (this is very uncommon), manually delete the down-level "tkju...ntx" file(s) from C:\ProgramData\The Word\Bibles (or your analogous installation drive path)

** For The SWORD Project applications [e.g., Ezra Bible App (macOS/Linux), AndBible "Bible Study" (Android), Bible Time (macOS), Bishop (iPhone/iPad), & Xiphos (Linux)]; you can download The SWORD Project v1.2 tkjuNT_SWORDproject.zip file from here: https://theword-modules.com/download/5093
* The SWORD Project TKJU NT side-install procedures are application-specific. The following hyperlink should get you pointed in the right direction to help find SWORD Project bible module side-install instructions: https://crosswire.org/applications

* If you would still like to download any other TKJU NT file format, please go to https://theword-modules.com/english/the ... -testament ; scroll down to your preferred format, and click the latest v1.2 file red hyperlink to download it.

[WordForever]

For more background detail about the "Timeless King James Update", here is the TKJU NT Bible Module Information write-up / full description (plus extra "THE HOLY BIBLE" website hyperlinks not in Bible Analyzer's TKJUnt bible tab right-click menu - TKJUnt Module Information description):

The TKJU is an English-dialect update to the King James Authorized Version; intended as a complementary reading, studying, and teaching aid to those reluctant to acclimate to Elizabethan/Early Modern English. The TKJU is not a replacement for the King James Authorized Version Holy Bible, God's preserved Word in English.

Some example updates include swapping "reversed verb-subject order" to modern English conventions, replacing Elizabethan/Early Modern English words that have archaic or obsolete definitions with in-context "Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's" alternatives which are similarly translated within the King James Authorized Version text, or which meet a Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary definition (to improve clarity of meaning while steering clear of overly-generalized/reinterpreted Hebrew/Greek lexicon definitions since Darwin's time), rewording discontinuous phrases to read a bit smoother (albeit using technical writing style), and judicially reducing redundant instances of a word within adjacent verses.

I am convinced that the King James Authorized Version faithfully and powerfully represents God's sovereignly inspired and providentially preserved Word in English (which nevertheless underwent a process of replacing Gothic type style fonts, correcting printing press process/operator errors, and standardizing inconsistent Early English spellings). As written in "THE HOLY BIBLE" (originally published in 1611) on the second page of "The names and order of all the Books of the Old and New Testament" section:
"SHAMED BE HE WHO THINKS EVIL OF IT" (translated from the French "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE").
Source: https://commons.ptsem.edu/id/holybiblefacsimi00polluoft (page 185 of "THE HOLY BIBLE" holybiblefacsimi00polluoft1.pdf download)
[Be aware that a MacBook (macOS) may require https://skim-app.sourceforge.io/ or a similar app to open large .PDF files].

I believe the Modern Era fulfillment of the following three verses has been accomplished by God's divine will through the King James Authorized Version Holy Bible's accurate text and correct translation:
(1) PSALM 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O LORD; You shall preserve them from this generation forever. (TKJU)
(2) 1PETER 1:23-25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever. For "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away: But the word of the LORD endures forever." And this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you. (TKJU)
(3) DEUTERONOMY 30:10-14 If you shall hearken to the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul. For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not hidden from you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven that you should say, 'Who shall go up to heaven for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?' Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?' But the word is very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it. (TKJU)

It was no small feat that England's King James Authorized Version quickly became THE (first-time named) "HOLY BIBLE" standard for over three centuries; the same period during which English simultaneously grew to ultimately become the primary Universal International Language. The King James Authorized Version Holy Bible is the gold standard definitive translation against which modern English bibles benchmark and market themselves for good reason; and surely is the most printed book in history.

Elizabethan/Early Modern English is better suited to communicate precise meaning and elegant prose (think Shakespeare from that era); as opposed to the abbreviated, relaxed-grammar, and "progressively revised vocabulary definitions" English of today. However, for those who do not relate well to Early Modern English, and yet have an ear to hear, the Timeless King James Update aims to communicate God's Word in more familiar language, while also striving to maintain accuracy; much like the (common language of God's chosen people) Hebrew Torah & Tanakh (Old Testament) written during the 2'nd & 1'st millennia BC was to the Israelites and Promised Land sojourners; the Koine (Common) Greek New Testament written in the 1'st century AD was to the Roman Empire and its' aftermath, on through the Middle Ages; and the King James Authorized Version written in the 17'th century AD has accomplished during the Modern Era. The King James Authorized Version is primarily founded upon the best Old Testament Hebrew manuscript [the ben Chayyim Masoretic Text (a.k.a. Bomberg Text; or ben Hayyim)] and the rock solid New Testament Greek Textus Receptus [as polished by (Theodore) Beza ~1598]. In essence, the TKJU is a humble attempt to improve the contemporary readability and teach-ability of God's preserved "King James Authorized Version" Word in vastly ubiquitous English; rather than the "once dead" Hebrew language, which today is spoken by less than 0.08% of the world; and instead of esoteric Greek, spoken by about 0.15% of people today.

Through integrity, the TKJU strives to retain much of the King James Authorized Version's unparalleled power; subject to an iterative refinement process over time. I reluctantly undertook this project after many years of not being able to find an uncompromisingly pure modern bible version. The TKJU is intended to serve as a practical learning/teaching compliment to the King James Authorized Version, and also to more effectually speak via common English to those whose hearts yearn after God's own heart; and finally to brightly shine as a Holy Spirit anointed beacon of truth during fierce and deceptive times.

I admit that it trades off exact equivalence with the King James Authorized Version in the pursuit of enhanced readability; nevertheless my prayer is that the TKJU can still aid true believers who are willing to study, teach, and preach God's pure objective truths in love. It is not my intent to omit or change anything of doctrinal consequence to God from the King James Authorized Version (nor allow any such instances to remain uncorrected after becoming aware of them). For all doctrinal questions, please always give the King James Authorized Version precedence over the TKJU.

If you have not read much of the KJV, consider reading Psalms 90-100 to taste and see some King James Authorized Version power.

In closing, it could be said that Erasmus' Textus Receptus Koine Greek New Testament was to the Protestant Reformation, like what Old Testament High Priest Hilkiah rediscovering the "book of the law" was to the revival under King Josiah (see 2Kings 22:1==>23:25).

If you consistently read and internalize the King James Authorized Version (or to a little lesser degree the complementary TKJU), and receive God's promise in Ephesians 2:8-9, you shall gain stability, strength, security, and surety in your life; and in the life to come.

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." - Philemon 1:25 (TKJU)

Copyright 2024-2025 by JesusFollower; Freely distributable as long as TKJU verses remain entirely unaltered. You can't change the TKJU wording here nor in a derivative work, nor copyright any such derivative work; neither can you prevent others from using the TKJU.

[epement]

One of the problems of many KJV updates is that they often replace the pronouns (thou, thee, ye, you) which distinguish singular from plural (number) and nominative from accusative (case) with the modern English "you", which throws these distinctions away.

In some passages, there are significant interpretive and exegetical conclusions that depend on knowing whether one person is being addressed, or more than one person. (Example: Jesus' address to Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again" [John 3:7], is in the plural, indicating that Jesus was not addressing Nicodemus alone and individually.) Updating the pronouns to use modern English, but not retaining the distinction between singular and plural, is a loss.

Only one popular English translation ever did this when moving to modern English. Unfortunately, it was a translation made by Jehovah's Witnesses, a well-known pseudo-Christian cult. Their New World Translation rendered the second-person singular as "you" and the second-person plural as "YOU" (using small caps to avoid being visually obtrusive). Though I disagree with the theological heresies of the Watchtower Society, from a Bible translation standpoint, this was a good way to avoid the loss of meaning in the process of modernizing the language.

I cannot think of any other modern translations that have done the same thing (or something similar) to distinguish singulars from plurals in the word "you". If there are some that I have not thought of, please share their names in a comment.

[WordForever]

You bring up a good point about the issue of second-person singular versus plural "you". Since I'm updating the KJV Early Modern English dialect to a 21'st century English dialect that unfortunately has eliminated such second-person singular vs plural "you" distinctions, I ended up following suit and eliminating them also.

The only non-Old English bible I've seen that attempts to account for them is the Updated King James Version (UKJV), which replaced "ye" with "all of you"; but this often doesn't flow smoothly while reading.

I would not want to use the small caps "YOU" nomenclature because it might get confused with capitalized God-head pronouns, and I wouldn't even know how make small caps in any of the half-dozen bible software application formats I support. I really don't want to use any short-hand nomenclature with every occurrence of "you" because it would surely be un-intuitive to some, would hinder the general reading flow, and would be a lot of extra work on top of an already huge project (there are 8729 instances of "you" in my working copy of the TKJU).

Nevertheless, I can at least include a footnote for second-person plural "you" instances with significant doctrinal implications. For instance, using the John 3:7 example you cited, I've added a footnote at the end of the verse stating "In KJV, Ye must be born again; hence the "You" is plural".

I added similar footnotes for Gen 3:1, Col 3:9 & 3:17, and Luk 22:26 & 22:28 & 22:30 (so far); all of which will become available upon my next TKJU v2.0 release (God willing).

I'm sure there are additional significant second-person plural "you" verses, therefore please feel free to post any such other verses with non-trivial doctrinal implications if you like. I'm assuming the typical interpretation of "you" is second-person singular, hence I don't believe singular "you" instances should require a special footnote. Thank you for your feedback.