Dear LPG,

Recently, during one of my habitual Google surfing sessions I came across the fact that it was 408 years ago today that the King James Version of the bible was first published.  From what I have seen, it was written after all the fall out from Henry VIII and his reformation of the Church of England caused about 50 years earlier. I have often heard it argued that it was written from a political standpoint at a time when not many could actually read, and included a few hints to rules that politicians of the time thought it would be good for the nation to take on board.

I think that like quite a few people when they become a bit older, I  have read that book, and a couple of other versions of it, from cover to cover and have to admit that I have not retained that much of what I read, even though it is still officially the bestselling book in the world.  I also found it interesting that, though I could not find the Koran in any online version of the top ten bestsellers, I did find information that points to the fact that it is up there in the top ten most recited and quoted books.

Looking online again I have read that the bible has now been translated into no less than 370 languages, with the New Testament translations numbering over 1500.  There are also more than 450 English translations in circulation at the moment and apparently, the New International Version is the one to read if you plan to these days, and I have to say that it is a much easier read, now that I have started it.

I am cheating a bit though because, interestingly enough, I am no longer reading it from an actual book.   I suppose it is predictable that there are quite a few versions online these days and my children have downloaded one so that my smart phone does the reading bit for me.   I know that, as a Christian, I am biased but I have to say I have found it a much easier read now that the language has been brought up to date and it has become a hearing experience…

IE, Brockley

IE, shared some of the information found while googling this message 

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…and the online version of the bible referred to…

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