What is the Difference Between Catholic Bible and King James Bible?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main differences between the Catholic Bible and the King James Bible are:

  1. Number of Books: The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, while the King James Bible contains 66 books. The additional seven books in the Catholic Bible are known as the Apocrypha, which are accepted as canonical by the Catholic Church but not by most Jews and Christians.
  2. Deuterocanonical Books: The Catholic Bible includes the Deuterocanonical books, specifically Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 & 2 Maccabees, and portions of the Books of Esther and Daniel. These books are not included in the King James Bible.
  3. Translations and Editions: The Catholic Bible encompasses different translations and editions, such as the New American Bible, which is used in liturgical celebrations. The King James Bible, also known as the Authorized Version, is an English translation of the Bible commissioned in 1604 by King James I of England and holds great historical and cultural significance, especially within Protestant denominations.
  4. Language: The King James Bible is known for its linguistic beauty and lofty language, which can be quite challenging to read due to the changes in the English language since its publication. The Catholic Bible, on the other hand, uses more contemporary language in its translations, making it more accessible to modern readers.

Ultimately, the choice between the Catholic Bible and the King James Bible depends on personal preference and religious affiliation. Catholics may prefer to use the Catholic Bible, which includes all the canonical books recognized by the Catholic Church, while those who appreciate the linguistic beauty and historical significance of the King James Bible may choose to use that translation instead.

Comparative Table: Catholic Bible vs King James Bible

Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Catholic Bible and the King James Bible:

Feature Catholic Bible King James Bible
Number of Books 73 books, including the Deuterocanonicals or Apocrypha 66 books, excluding the Deuterocanonicals or Apocrypha
Number of Letters 7 more letters than the King James Bible: 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, Jude, James, and Revelation Same as the King James Bible
Number of Verses 7,216 verses, including additional verses from the Deuterocanonicals or Apocrypha 7,188 verses, excluding the additional verses from the Deuterocanonicals or Apocrypha

The main difference between the Catholic Bible and the King James Bible is the inclusion of the Deuterocanonicals or Apocrypha in the Catholic Bible, which are not present in the King James Bible. Additionally, the Catholic Bible contains 7 more letters than the King James Bible. Both versions share a significant amount of content, but the Catholic Bible is considered more complete, while the King James Bible is a Protestant version.