King James Version

The King James Version (KJV), also known as the Authorized Version (AV), is the English translation of the Christian Bible initiated under the order of King James I of England and first published in 1611 (for which reason it is sometimes referred to by the abbreviation "AV 1611").

The New Testament portion relied on the Greek Textus Receptus (literally, "received text") as published by Erasmus beginning in 1516, while the Old Testament was translated from the Hebrew Masoretic Text as published in 1524–5. The KJV originally included the Apocrypha, as well, although beginning in the 19th century, most printed versions have omitted these.

The KJV was the third officially sanctioned translation of the Bible into English, after the Great Bible produced under King Henry VIII (first printed in 1539) and the Bishop's Bible of 1568.

King James only
Many Christian organizations believe that the King James version is the only English-language translation authorized by God. Many have gone to great lengths to discredit other translations, publishing books and web sites devoted to exposing all of the "mistakes" in other versions. The translators, historians and Biblical scholars in all camps have launched attacks and provided apologetic defenses for the competing positions.

The net result of this "Bible Bickering" is a wealth of information which clearly casts doubt on all versions and demonstrates that all claims of authority are religious opinions that cannot be supported by empirical evidence.