Guide
KJV vs WEB vs ASV
Short answer
The KJV (1611) is the most quoted, in early modern English. The ASV (1901) revises it toward a stricter, more literal reading of older manuscripts. The WEB (2020) puts the ASV into modern English. Pick the KJV for familiar wording, the WEB for easy reading, the ASV for close, word-for-word study.
| KJV | ASV | WEB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published | 1611, text of 1769 | 1901 | 2020 stable text |
| Based on | Its own translation of the Hebrew and Greek, revising earlier English Bibles | The Revised Version of 1881 to 1885, American edition | An update of the ASV; Greek Majority Text for the New Testament |
| English | Thee, thou, believeth | Thee, thou, believeth | You, your, believes |
| Divine name | LORD | Jehovah | Yahweh |
| Supplied words | In italics | In italics | Not marked |
| Verses with no text | 0 | 16 | 5 |
| Words, by our count | 790,676 | 784,673 | 751,742 |
| Copyright | Public domain outside the UK | Public domain since 1957 | Public domain |
Seven verses side by side
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1, KJV
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1, ASV
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1, WEB
Psalm 23:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1, KJV
A Psalm of David. Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1, ASV
A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.
Psalm 23:1, WEB
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31, KJV
but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31, ASV
but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31, WEB
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1, KJV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1, ASV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1, WEB
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16, KJV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16, ASV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16, WEB
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28, KJV
And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28, ASV
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28, WEB
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13, KJV
I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13, ASV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13, WEB
Verses the ASV and WEB leave out
The KJV follows the Greek text printed in the 1500s and 1600s. The ASV follows older manuscripts discovered or edited later, which lack some verses, so the ASV leaves 16 verse numbers empty: Matthew 17:21, Matthew 18:11, Matthew 23:14, Mark 7:16, Mark 9:44, Mark 9:46, Mark 11:26, Mark 15:28, Luke 17:36, Luke 23:17, John 5:4, Acts 8:37, Acts 15:34, Acts 24:7, Acts 28:29, Romans 16:24. The WEB, which follows the Majority Text, leaves out 5: Luke 17:36, Acts 8:37, Acts 15:34, Acts 24:7, Romans 16:25. Open the same verse in the KJV to read the text.
Which one to read
- Memorizing or reading verses quoted in older books, hymns and sermons: KJV.
- Reading whole books quickly, or reading with children: WEB.
- Word-by-word study close to the Hebrew and Greek: ASV.
Every chapter page has KJV, WEB and ASV buttons, so switching is one tap and keeps your place.
Questions
Is the WEB based on the KJV?
No. The WEB is an update of the 1901 ASV, which revised the KJV tradition. Its wording is its own, in modern English.
Which is more accurate, the KJV or the ASV?
They follow different Greek texts. The ASV aims to follow the older manuscripts closely and word for word; the KJV follows the Greek text available in 1611.
Why do the three use different names for God?
They render the Hebrew divine name differently: LORD in the KJV, Jehovah in the ASV and Yahweh in the WEB.