Introduction
to the
AV
1611 King James Bible
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Many people ask me, "My Bible
says it is a King James. How can I tell if it the original AV 1611 version?"
The fastest way to tell the difference is that the original AV 1611 did
NOT carry a copyright. The publishers wanted the Holy Bible to be distributed
to everyone and in order to make this possible, the original version was
not copyrighted.
Also, I have re-published
the exact verbiage (including punctuation) of the Introduction of the original
AV 1611 King James Bible below. If the Bible you are reading now does not
contain the information below, you are more than likely reading a corrupt
version.
SELF-PRONOUNCING EDITION
The
HOLY BIBLE
CONTAINING THE
Old and New Testaments
TRANSLATED OUT OF
THE ORIGINAL TONGUES AND
WITH THE FORMER
TRANSLATIONS DILIGENTLY
COMPARED AND REVISED
AUTHORIZED King James
Version
With all proper names divided
into syllables
accented and marked with
the vowel sounds
showing how they should
be pronounced
THE WORLD PUBLISHING COMPANY
CLEVELAND AND NEW YORK
PUBLISHED BY
THE WORLD PUBLISHING COMPANY
2231 WEST 110TH STREET
CLEVELAND. 2, OHIO
MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA
The Epistle Dedicatory
TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHT
PRINCE, JAMES, by the Grace of God, KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE,
AND IRELAND, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, etc. The Translators of he Bible
wish Grace, Mercy, and Peace, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord.
GREAT and manifold were the
blessings, most dread Sovereign, which Almighty God, the Father of all
mercies, bestowed upon us the people of England, when first he sent
Your Majesty's Royal Person to rule and reign over us. For whereas it was
the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our Sion, that
upon the setting of that bright Occidental Star, Queen Elizabeth
of most happy memory, some thick and palpable clouds of darkness would
so have overshadowed this Land, that men should have been in doubt which
way they were to walk; and that is should hardly be known, who was to direct
the unsettled State; the appearance of Your Majesty, as of the Sun
in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists,
and gave unto all that were well affected exceeding cause of comfort; especially
when we beheld the Government established in Your Highness, and Your hopeful
Seed, by an undoubted Title, and this also accompanied with peace and tranquility
at home and abroad.
But among all our joys, there
was no one that more filled our hearts, than the blessed continuance of
the preaching of God's sacred Word among us; which is that inestimable
treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth; because the fruit
thereof extendeth itself, not only to the time spent in this transitory
world, but directeth and disposeth men until that eternal happiness which
is above in heaven.
Then not to suffer this to
fall to the ground, but rather to take it up, and to continue it in that
state, wherein the famous Predessor of Your Highness did leave it; nay,
to go forward with the confidence and resolution of a Man in maintaining
the truth of Christ, and propagating it far and near, is that which hath
so bound and firmly knit the hearts of all Your Majesty's loyal and religious
people unto You, that Your very name is precious among them; their eye
doth behold You with comfort, and they bless You in their hearts, as that
sanctified Person who, under God, is the immediate Author of their true
happiness. And this their contentment doth not diminish or decay, but every
day increaseth and taketh strength, when they observe that the zeal of
Your Majesty toward the house of God doth not slack or go backward, but
is more and more kindled, manifesting itself abroad in the farthest parts
of Christendom, by writing in defence of the Truth, (which hath
given such a blow unto that man of sin, as will not be healed,) and every
day at home, by religious and learned discourse, by frequenting the house
of God, by hearing the Word preached, by cherishing the Teachers thereof,
by caring for the Church, as a most tender and loving nursing Father.
There are infinite arguments
of this right christian and religious affection in Your Majesty; but none
is more forcible to declare it to others than the vehement and prepetuated
desire of accomplishing and publishing of this work, which now with all
humility we present unto Your Majesty. For when Your Highness had once
out of deep judgment apprehended how convenient it was, that out of the
Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in
our own, and other foreign Languages, of many worthy men who went before
us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures into
the English Tongue; Your Majesty did never desist to urge and to
excite, those to whom it was commended, that the work might be hastened,
and that the business might be expedited in so decent a manner, as a matter
of such importance might justly require.
And now at last, by the mercy
of God, and the continuance of our labours, it being brought unto such
a conclusion, as that we have great hopes that the Church of England
shall reap good fruit thereby; we hold it our duty to offer it to Your
Majesty, not only as to our King and Sovereign, but as to the principal
Mover and Author of the work: humbly craving of Your most Sacred Majesty,
that since things of this quality have ever been subject to the censures
of illmeaning and discontented persons, it may receive approbation and
patronage from so learned and judicious a Prince as Your Highness is, whose
allowance and acceptance of our labours shall more honour and encourage
us, than all the calumniations and hard interpretations of other men shall
dismay us. So that if, on the one side, we shall be traduced by Popish
Persons at home or abroad, who therefore will malign us, because we are
poor instruments to make God's holy Truth to be yet more and more known
unto the people, whom they desire still to keep in ignorance and darkness;
or if, on the other side, we shall be maligned by self-conceited Brethren,
who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing, but what is framed
by themselves, and hammered on their anvil; we may rest secure, supported
within by the truth and innocency of a good conscience, having walked the
ways of simplicity and integrity, as before the Lord; and sustained without
by the powerful protection of Your Majesty's grace and favour, which will
ever give countenance to honest and christian endeavors against bitter
censures and uncharitable imputations.
The Lord of heaven and earth
bless Your Majesty with many happy days, that, as his heavenly hand hath
enriched Your Highness with many singular and extraordinary graces, so
You may be in the wonder of the world in this latter age for happiness
and true felicity, to the honour of that great God, and the good of his
Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour.
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here to download the entire AV 1611 King James Bible
in PDF format
