Read the New King James Offline
We are excited to announce that the New King James Version (NKJV) is now available for free download on our mobile apps. The NKJV has been on Blue Letter Bible for over twenty years and has historically been one of our most popular Bible translations. We are grateful that our publishing partner, Thomas Nelson, has provided us with the opportunity to offer the NKJV as a downloadable translation through our iOS and Android apps.
To get your free download, open the Bible manager in your app and navigate to the NKJV option. From there, simply tap the download button, and it will be added as an offline Bible on your device.
The History of the NKJV Bible (from Thomas Nelson)
In 1611, the King James Version of the Holy Bible was published in England. No other book has had as much impact on the world as this historic translation. Earlier century scholars maintained the translation by modifying grammar, spelling and word usage to keep the biblical language alive and relevant for each new generation. In 1769, updates to the King James Version ceased, and its words continue to be cherished today. In the last thirty years, more than forty modern translations of the Bible have been published, and the King James Version continues to be the overwhelmingly favorite translation.
In 1975, more than two-hundred years since the King James Version’s last update, the boldest and most extensive revision in the history of modern Bible publishing began. With a 130-person team of Greek, Hebrew, and English scholars, editors, church leaders, and Christian laity Thomas Nelson Publishers sought to preserve the accuracy and poetry of the King James Version, but in a language that the everyday person could understand. In 1979 the NKJV New Testament was finished, releasing only the Book of Psalms in 1980. In 1982, the New King James Version was released in its entirety, seven years after its commission, making it the fifth major revision to the beloved King James Version.