The New Century Version (NCV) is the product of the Church of Christ affiliated World Bible Translation Center (WBTC) in Ft. Worth, Texas. The path to the New Century Version is a long and winding road driven by Church of Christ cohorts.

In 1978 the Church of Christ WBTC created an easy-to-read Bible specifically for the deaf, titled the English Version for the Deaf (EVD). The EVD is primarily the work of WBTC’s Senior Translation Consultant, Ervin Bishop. In 1983, the EVD was slightly modified, repackaged and published by Sweet Publishing of Ft. Worth as the best-selling International Children's Version (ICV), New Testament. Sweet Publishing is also Church of Christ affiliated. The International Children’s Version was endorsed (as is the NCV) by Billy Graham and used in his crusades.

The International Children’s Bible was also used in the Adventures in Odyssey Bible, a partnership between James Dobson, Focus on the Family and Word Publishing.

In 1984, Sweet Publishing repackaged the ICV as The Word: New Century Version. In 1987, the Old Testament of the New Century Version was released. A few years later, the publishing rights to the New Century Version and the International Children’s Version was acquired by Word Publishing. In 1992 Word Publishing was purchased by Thomas Nelson Publishing. Word Publishing has since been renamed W Publishing.

The NCV has been published and re-packaged with many titles. Some of the NCV’s titles are: The Everyday Bible (endorsed by Billy Graham); The Holy Bible: New Century Version: Traveler's Edition, The Youth Bible; Extreme Teen Bible; The Revolve; Nelson’s KidsBible.com; Time With God; The Answer; and The Secret Kingdom Edition (special edition with Pat Robertson).

The distinguishing feature of the NCV that supposedly separates it from the legions of modern versions is the easy to read format. Advertised as a Third Grade Reading level, the preface of the NCV says concerning it’s word usage, "Vocabulary choice has been based upon The Living Word Vocabulary by Dr. Edgar Dale and Dr. Joseph O’Rourke (Worldbook-Childcraft International, 1981), which is the standard used by the editors of World Book Encyclopedia to determine vocabulary."

Thomas Nelson’s website provides a table listing many of the major versions along with the Grade Reading level of each version. Thomas Nelson’s website rates the NCV as a 5.6 Grade Level and the International Children’s Bible as a 3.9. Thomas Nelson also rates the King James Bible the hardest, with a whopping 12th Grade Reading level. Amazing my three children were reading and understanding the King James Bible easily by the third grade.

Something smells awful fishy with Thomas Nelson’s Bible ratings. . .

So. . . We did a little Grade Reading research of our own. . .

The Thomas Nelson ratings is from Dr. N. McAlser of Rollins College, Florida. Dr. McAlser utilized the Dale-Chall, Fry, Raygor, and Spache formulas to six selections of narrative, instruction, and poetry from the OT and NT. The grade reading level score was: ICV - 3, CEV - 5.4, NCV - 5.6, TEV - 7.3, NIV - 7.8, NKJV - 8, NRSV - 8.1, LB - 8.3, NASB - 11, KJV - 12.

These highly questionable results were obtained by the inferior Dale-Chall, Fry, Raygor, and Spache formulas. And the tests were performed on ONLY six selections of narrative, instruction, and poetry from the OT and NT.

Utilizing Quickverse Bible software, we copied the complete New Testament text of the King James Bible and the New Century Version into text files – not just SIX SELECTIONS – but the complete New Testament. With no modifications, no editing, but exactly as they came from Quickverse, we opened the KJB and the NCV New Testament text files in Corel Wordperfect. We then simply performed the Grammar checking function within WordPerfect.

Note: The WordPerfect Grammar checking function uses the authoritative and industry-standard Flesch-Kincaid readability scale formulas. Rudolf Flesch is the pioneer of Readability studies and author of several readability books, including the best-selling "Why Johnny Can’t Read". Without question, Dr. Flesch is the recognized authority in this discipline.

As you can see from our easy to verify results, the readability statistics of the much aligned "hard-to-understand" King James Bible clearly holds it’s own against the NCV.

The Bible for Today published an interesting and revealing book titled, The Comparative Readability of the Authorized Version, by D.A. Waite, Jr. Using computer readability software (Grammatik 4.0, Grammatik 5.0, Word for Windows) Mr. Waite, spent hundreds of hours, lasting over three years, analyzing every word in the King James Bible, the American Standard Version (ASV), the Revised Standard Version (RSV), the New American Standard Version (NASV), the New International Version (NIV), the New King James Version (NKJV) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Mr. Waite did not twist, nor slant any of the results but simply let the results speak for them selves. In fact, Mr. Waite confessed before beginning the research, he was fully expecting the newer versions to out score the "old" King James Bible. Mr. Waite writes, "Quite frankly, I was surprised at the results." (D.A. Waite Jr, The Comparative Readability of the Authorized Version, p. 4) The Comparative Readability of the Authorized Version is an exhaustive and serious study. It contains very detailed tables, charts, documentation, analysis of every conceivable readability tests known. The King James Bible outscored the new versions in virtually every test.

Some of Mr. Waite’s analysis:

"According to the F-K [Flesch-Kincaid] formula 74.3% of the books [in the KJV] are on or below the sixth grade level, and 94% are on or below the seventh grade level! . . . And the FRE [Flesch Reading Ease] rated 97% of the KJV books as Fairly Easy or Easy! These were all first place statistics!"
(D.A. Waite Jr, The Comparative Readability of the Authorized Version, p. 80)

Mr. Waite summarizes his extensive analysis:

"If any of these seven versions is authorized to boast about its success in these rigorous readability contests, it is the Authorized Version. [KJV]. If any has the right to flaunt the crown of victory, it is the KING James Bible."
(Ibid, p. 80)

Dr. Rudolf Flesch’s book, The Art of Plain Talk, he makes the following noteworthy statement about the King James Bible:

"The best example of very easy prose (about 20 affixes per 100 words) is the King James Version of the Bible: . . ."
(Rudolf Flesch, The Art of Plain Talk, p. 43)

Several times in his book, Dr. Flesch praises the King James Bible for it’s ease of reading. And may I remind you, this is from the leading authority on the subject.

As previously mentioned, the NCV and the ICV are the product of the Church of Christ affiliated World Bible Translation Center (WBTC) in Ft. Worth, Texas. Sweet Publishing, the original publisher of the NCV and ICV is also members of the Church of Christ.

Because of the influence of the Christ of Christ’s involvement in the NCV and ICV we need to briefly examine the Church of Christ denomination.

The roots of the Church of Christ was planted in the early 1800s by Presbyterians Barton Stone, Thomas and Alexander Campbell, and Walter Scott. Alexander Campbell is the recognized "founder" of the Church of Christ. Hence, Church of Christ members are referred to as Campbellites and their false teaching as Campbellism. Campbell and his followers believed the church had fallen away from the original precepts of the New Testament and began what they called the "Restoration Movement". Their purpose was to "restore" the church to the teachings of only New Testament doctrines. They vehemently teach and debate such doctrines as; no musical instruments in the church; The Church of Christ is the only True Church; The Lord’s Supper every Sunday; a confusing system of salvation by works; and their biggie – you must be baptized to be saved.

The following material, pertaining to Church of Christ "salvation" all comes directly from Church of Christ publications. Notice their salvation by works, and their serious error of baptismal regeneration.

In the Church of Christ pamphlet, "What is the Church of Christ" by Batsell Barrett, the question is asked: "How does one become a member of the Church of Christ"? Here’s the answer:

1 Hear the gospel. . .
2. Believe . . .
3. Repent of past sins . . .
4. Confess Jesus as Lord . . .
5. Be baptized for remission of sins . . .
6. Live a Christian Life . . .
(What is the Church of Christ, Batsell Barrett Baxter, Church of Christ, 3805 Granny White Pike, Nashville, Tn 37204, pp. 11-13)

The Church of Christ dogmatically teach a salvation by works, culminating in baptism.

"Many churches in the world believe that we are saved by faith only. By this, the majority teach that Christ washes away our sins the very minute we say in our hearts that Jesus is Christ. In most cases it is a faith that does not lead one to be baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ in order to reach the salvation of God."
(Are We Saved By Faith Only?, Gynnath Ford, Box, Dickson, TN 37055, p. 7)

"The Bible says that neither faith alone nor works alone can save. Thus both the Protestant and Catholic doctrines of salvation are false. . . Christ and his apostles taught that in order to be saved a man must hear the gospel of Christ and believe that he is the only begotten Son of God. . . On the basis of such a faith in Jesus Christ, one must then make the decision to turn away from his sins, to repent. . . He must then confess his faith in Jesus before men. . . Finally, in order to receive the remission of sins, one must be immersed in water. . . When one thus hears the gospel, believes it, repents of his sins, confesses Christ with his mouth and is baptized, he has done the things that Christ and the apostles taught men to do in the first century to be saved. . . To change this plan in any way—to either add to or take from it—is not acceptable to God and will cause one to be accursed!"
(The Distinctive Plea of the Churches of Christ, Rubel Shelly, Lambert Book House, Box 4007, Shreveport, LA, 71104, pp. 10,11>

Interesting, the above quote from the Church of Christ author, cursed Dwight L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham, John Wesley, George Whitfield, the Apostle Paul and even the Lord Jesus Christ. As none believed in the Church of Christ’s "plan of salvation".

More documentation from the Church of Christ:

". . . the design of baptism is in order to obtain the remission of sins."
(Bible Baptism, Perry B. Cotham, p. 16)

According to the following Church of Christ publication, water baptism brings someone in "contact with the blood of Christ".

"What happens when a person is baptized? He receives the remission of his sins. (Acts 2:38) He is saved from past sins. (1 Pet. 3:21) His sins are washed away. (Acts 22:16) He puts on Christ. (Gal. 3:27) He enters Christ. (Rom. 6:3) He contacts the blood of Christ. (Rom. 6:3).
(Things Surely Believed Among Us, Paul Rogers, pp. 18, 19)

The following answer to the question "What Must I Do to Be Saved" taken from a Church of Christ publication, also clearly teaches salvation by works – the last sentence -- "you must, by God’s help, continue in his service unto death"

The Most Important Question Ever Asked. . .
"What Must I Do to Be Saved?"
If you are an alien sinner—one who has never become a child of God—you must believe in Christ, repent of your sins, confess Christ, be baptized for the remission of sins, and "walk in newness of life"
If you are an erring child of God, you must confess your sins, repent, pray for forgiveness, and return to your duty.
If you are a faithful Christian, you must, by God’s help, continue in his service unto death.
(Centerville Messenger, published by the Church of Christ, Centerville TN)

In contrast. . . How different and simple the Word of God answers the same exact question in Acts 16:30 ". . .what must I do to be saved"

Acts 16:30-31, KJB
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

How simple, straightforward and sure is the Lord’s answer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" How wonderful! How marvelous! Aren’t you glad the Lord did not teach the Church of Christ’s confusing plan of salvation?

How does the Church of Christ get around the clear answer of Acts 16:31?

Simple they change one little word in the verse. Just one word. Just two letters long. . .

Here’s how the Church of Christ produced NCV reads in Acts 16:30-31:

Acts 16:30-31
30 He brought them outside and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?"
31 They said to him, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved--you and all the people in your house."

See the tiny but HUGE difference? They change that little bitty word "ON" (KJB) to "IN" (NCV). And by that itsy-bitsy change the emphasis is no longer on the PERSON of the Lord Jesus Christ but on His TEACHINGS. And then the deceived Church of Christ travels down their heretical path to "what did the Lord Jesus TEACH in order to be saved". Simple. Believe. Repent. Confess. Baptism. Live it. . . Simple. . . Subtle (see Genesis 3:1) and Deadly.

Something else we’ll see shortly is the Church of Christ NCV changes "my word" to "my teaching", again emphasizing the "teaching" instead of the simple "word".

The following information from Dr. Hugh Pyle’s excellent book titled, "The Truth about the Church of Christ", gives more analysis into the Church of Christ.

"They are completely warped, doctrinally, on much of what the Bible teaches.
Eight of their biggest heresies relate to their ‘plan’ of, or ‘steps to salvation’ as taught in the Church of Christ. They teach:

1. Salvation by works rather than by the grace of God.
2. Baptismal regeneration—sins actually remitted in the waters of the church of Christ baptistry.
3. That eternal life is not eternal; that a born-again soul can lose his salvation after all.
4. That they have a monopoly on salvation—that they are the one and only true church.
5. That one cannot know in this life that he is saved.
6. That their church has the one and only Bible name.
7. That Christians must take the Lord’s Supper every Sunday to be scriptural.
8. That to worship where instrumental music is used is sinful and disobedient to the Lord."
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the "Church of Christ", preface).

"For these innocent buildings house a pernicious religious cult which has deceived countless thousands about God’s way of salvation and the way to Heaven!"
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the "Church of Christ", p. 9)

"It is almost unbelievable that one religious sect could get so warped and utterly confused on the Bible."
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the "Church of Christ", p. 11)

"I have read actually state or imply that one will not be saved if he worships God with musical instruments in his singing!
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the "Church of Christ", p. 78)

After viewing the ‘watered-down’ Gospel of the so-called Church of Christ, the question may well be considered, Could a Campbellite be saved?
The answer certainly is this, that if a person believes what the Church of Christ teaches and does not understand God’s way of salvation, then the Campbellite is not saved no matter how many religious theories he embraces or how many times he has been dipped in the Church of Christ pool.
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the "Church of Christ", p. 97)

Incredibly, Dr. Pyle rates the Church of Christ follower among the most deceived of all cults. And after dealing with many Church of Christ, I agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Pyle.

"I found fewer people of the Campbellite persuasion who were truly saved than almost any other denomination or sect that I ever had contact with".
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the "Church of Christ", p. 97)

Watchman Fellowship, whose ministry exposes various cults throughout the world, says the following about the Church of Christ:

"We refer to Campbellism as a cult with reference to those followers of the fatal doctrines systematized by Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Barton Stone and Walter Scott concerning the plan of salvation. . . most people in the Churches of Christ are actually accepting a legalism which corrupts the gospel at it’s core, and do not understand, nor have responded to faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work on our behalf – Biblical faith."
(Campbellism, Craig Branch, Watchman Fellowship)

There is no doubt the Church of Christ teaches a false gospel.

Does the NCV and ICV bear the distinguishing "marks" of the Church of Christ?
Is the heretical Church of Christ teachings lurking in the pages of the NCV and ICV?

I’ll let you answer that in a few minutes. . .

Note: In the following verses documenting the errors of the NCV, we provide both the King James Bible (KJB) and the New Century Version (NCV) for easy comparison. Scripture marked NCV is Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

As we have seen, water baptism is the core of the Church of Christ cult. They loudly and proudly believe that water baptism is essential for salvation.

Notice carefully, in the following two groups of scriptures (Romans 6:3-4 and Colossian 2:12), the object of the verses have been changed from the RESULT of baptism to the RITUAL of baptism. The Church of Christ NCV adds the simple words "when we were" to baptism to emphasis the RITUAL of baptism. Important: The NCV is the ONLY version that does this! No other version makes these changes.

Romans 6:3-4, KJB
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:3-4, NCV
3 Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ when we were baptized? We shared his death in our baptism.
4 When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life.

Colossians 2:12, KJB
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Colossians 2:12, NCV
When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up with him through your faith in God's power that was shown when he raised Christ from the dead.

Notice, in 1 Corinthians 12:13, where the Bible is clearly referring to "spiritual baptism" by the Holy Spirit, the NCV Church of Christ, changes one little word "BY one Spirit. . " to "THROUGH one Spirit. . ." hence, removing the reference to "baptism BY the Spirit". The NCV also adds the word "WERE" (we WERE all baptized..) to emphasize the RITUAL of baptism – water baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:13, KJB
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13, NCV
Some of us are Jews, and some are Greeks. Some of us are slaves, and some are free. But we were all baptized into one body through one Spirit. And we were all made to share in the one Spirit.

In 1 Peter 3:20-21, the NCV Church of Christ does not "pull any punches" but openly teaches salvation by water baptism. The NCV changes the phrase "like figure" to "water". Of course, the word "water" is not in any Greek text. The King James Bible says the "water of Noah’s flood" is a "like figure" whereunto even "baptism" (also a like-figure) also now save us" which clearly shows that "baptism" is a "like figure" of the "resurrection of Jesus Christ". Hence, "water baptism" is a "like figure" of the "resurrection of Jesus Christ". That is why many pastors say while baptizing someone "Buried with him in baptism and risen [resurrection] to newness of life".

1 Peter 3:20-21, KJB
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 3:20-21, NCV
20 who refused to obey God long ago in the time of Noah. God was waiting patiently for them while Noah was building the boat. Only a few people--eight in all--were saved by water.
21 And that water is like baptism that now saves you--not the washing of dirt from the body, but the promise made to God from a good conscience. And this is because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.

Dr. Harry Ironside provides a good analysis of 1 Peter 3:20-21:

"Noah saved through the flood of wrath in the ark shadows forth the believer’s deliverance from judgement, as baptism clearly expresses, i.e., salvation by the work of Christ. He endured all the curse, even as the ark bore all the brunt of the storm; but the believer can say, ‘His death was mine.’ It is not to baptism that any efficacy attaches; that could only put away outward filth. There is not the slightest justification here for the ritualistic dogma of baptismal regeneration. The only thing that gives the answer which a good conscience demands, is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. That apprehended, baptism is full of meaning. ‘He was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification.’" (Rom. 4:25)
(Baptism, What Saith the Scriptures, Dr. H.A. Ironside, pp. 26-27)

Another heretical doctrine taught by the Church of Christ cult is their teaching the Church of Christ is the ONE and ONLY TRUE church. They teach the Church of Christ is a "restoration movement" to bring back God’s people to the "origin" of the New Testament. And this "restoration" and salvation is ONLY found in the doors of the Church of Christ. Read the following from a Church of Christ booklet:

"The restoration principle is a valid one! God would have us to always recognize and submit to the authority of His Word. We cannot add to that revelation or take from it, but must be content to take it as it is and follow it exactly! (cf. Rev. 22:18-19). It thus follows that it will not be enough to restore the ethical teachings of Jesus and the zeal of the early disciples. We must restore not only the ‘spirit’ of New Testament Christianity but also the plan of salvation, the worship and the organization of the church described in the New Testament!. . .
What will the result of following this principle? Men and women will be Christians, members of the church of Christ."
(The Distinctive Plea of the Churches of Christ, Rubel Shelly, pp. 9-10)

The Church of Christ also insists they are the ONLY TRUE Church because their church name is the only church specifically mentioned by name in the New Testament.

The NCV certainly helps their cause by adding a few extra "churches in Christ". It’s worth noting, the NCV is the ONLY version to insert these "churches in Christ". Wonder why?

Galatians 1:22, KJB
And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

Galatians 1:22, NCV
In Judea the churches in Christ had never met me.

Ephesains 1:23, KJB
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 1:23, NCV
which is Christ's body. The church is filled with Christ, and Christ fills everything in every way.

1 Thessalonians 2:14, KJB
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

1 Thessalonians 2:14, NCV
Brothers and sisters, your experiences have been like those of God's churches in Christ that are in Judea. You suffered from the people of your own country, as they suffered from the Jews,

Does the NCV bear the "marks" of the Church of Christ?

Keep reading. . .

The Church of Christ’s "plan of salvation" is a process or steps you continue doing. A Church of Christ is never "saved" but "being saved". They can never "know" they are saved.

Remember in the earlier Church of Christ publication that answered the question "What Must I Do to Be Saved" with the "being saved" answer of "you must, by God’s help, continue in his service unto death" (Centerville Messenger, published by the Church of Christ, Centerville TN)

Hugh Pyle gives an interesting response to the Church of Christ’s "being saved" plan of salvation.

"Strange they would boisterously declare that they, alone, had the truth concerning the way to Heaven when none of them know they are going there!"
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the "Church of Christ", p. 11)

Sprinkled throughout the NCV is the Church of Christ’s "being saved" plan of salvation. Salvation is turned into a process rather than a completed work at Calvary by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:47, KJB
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 2:47, NCV
They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers.

1 Corinthians. 1:18, KJB
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians. 1:18, NCV
The teaching about the cross is foolishness to those who are being lost, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 15:2, KJB
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:2, NCV
And you are being saved by it if you continue believing what I told you. If you do not, then you believed for nothing.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16, KJB
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

2 Corinthians 2:15-16, NCV
15 Our offering to God is this: We are the sweet smell of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost.
16 To those who are lost, we are the smell of death that brings death, but to those who are being saved, we are the smell of life that brings life. So who is able to do this work?

In other places, such as 1 Peter 2:2 and Philippians 2:12, the NCV openly teaches the Church of Christ cult's salvation by works.

1 Peter 2:2, KJB
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

1 Peter 2:2, NCV
As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can grow up and be saved,

Philippians 2:12, NCV
My dear friends, you have always obeyed God when I was with you. It is even more important that you obey now while I am away from you. Keep on working to complete your salvation with fear and trembling,

Philippians 2:12, KJB
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Does the NCV bear the "marks" of the Church of Christ?

And that’s not all. . .

The NCV many times removes and obscures the direct application to the written Word of God. "My words" is changed to "words I have said".

Matthew 24:35, KJB
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Matthew 24:35, NCV
Earth and sky will be destroyed, but the words I have said will never be destroyed.

Mark 13:31, KJB
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Mark 13:31, NCV
Earth and sky will be destroyed, but the words I have said will never be destroyed.

In Matthew 4:4, the clear reference to the written word, "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" is changed to ". . . everything God says."

Matthew 4:4, KJB
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:4, NCV
Jesus answered, "It is written in the Scriptures, 'A person does not live by eating only bread, but by everything God says.'"

The "word" is changed to "teaching" or "message". Again, plainly diminishing the written word of God. This also bears the "mark" of the Church of Christ cult, who emphasizes following the "teachings" of Christ, rather than simply believing the Word. Look at the destructive changes just in Matthew 13:19-23:

Matthew 13:19-23, KJB
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Matthew 13:19-23, NCV
19 What is the seed that fell by the road? That seed is like the person who hears the message about the kingdom but does not understand it. The Evil One comes and takes away what was planted in that person's heart.
20 And what is the seed that fell on rocky ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and quickly accepts it with joy.
21 But he does not let the teaching go deep into his life, so he keeps it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching he accepted, he quickly gives up.
22 And what is the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching but lets worries about this life and the temptation of wealth stop that teaching from growing. So the teaching does not produce fruit in that person's life.
23 But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and produces fruit, sometimes a hundred times more, sometimes sixty times more, and sometimes thirty times more."

James 1:21, KJB
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21, NCV
So put out of your life every evil thing and every kind of wrong. Then in gentleness accept God's teaching that is planted in your hearts, which can save you.

1 Peter 2:2, KJB
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

1 Peter 2:2, NCV
As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can grow up and be saved,

The written Word is diminished in the NCV by changing the "New Testament" to the "New Agreement" (6 times). If the staff of the New Century Version REALLY believes New Testament should be changed to New Agreement then why does the cover of the NCV New Testament read New Testament rather than New Agreement? (see Picture on right) Hmm…? Can you say hypocrite? Reminds me of the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:5, "Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." (PIC)

Matthew 26:18, KJB
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Matthew 26:18, NCV
This is my blood which is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This blood is poured out for many to forgive their sins.

Mark 14:24, KJB
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Mark 14:24, NCV
Then Jesus said, "This is my blood which is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This blood is poured out for many.

Luke 22:20, KJB
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Luke 22:20, NCV
In the same way, after supper, Jesus took the cup and said, "This cup is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This new agreement begins with my blood which is poured out for you.

2 Corinthians 3:6, KJB
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

2 Corinthians 3:6, NCV
He made us able to be servants of a new agreement from himself to his people. This new agreement is not a written law, but it is of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

Hebrews 9:15, KJB
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 9:15, NCV
For this reason Christ brings a new agreement from God to his people. Those who are called by God can now receive the blessings he has promised, blessings that will last forever. They can have those things because Christ died so that the people who lived under the first agreement could be set free from sin.

The laugh of the year is found in 2 Corinthians 2:17, especially coming from the multi-million dollar empire of Thomas Nelson Publishers. The NCV changes ". . . corrupt the word of God. . ." to "We do not sell the word of God for a profit as many other people do". What a riot!

2 Corinthians 2:17, KJB
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:17, NCV
We do not sell the word of God for a profit as many other people do. But in Christ we speak the truth before God, as messengers of God.

Speaking of money. . . 1 Timothy 6:10 is no longer "the root of all evil", but simply "causes all kinds of evil".

1 Timothy 6:10, KJB
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:10, NCV
The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have left the faith, because they wanted to get more money, but they have caused themselves much sorrow.

The following 16 verses are completely removed from the text of the New Century Version!

The Bible says in Luke 4:4, ". . .man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

Luke 4:4, KJB
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Luke 4:4, NCV
Jesus answered, "It is written in the Scriptures: 'A person does not live by eating only bread.'"

To make matters worse. . . Luke 4:4 is the Lord Jesus Christ quoting Deuteronomy 8:3. Does the perpetrators of the NCV do not believe the Lord Jesus knows Deut. 8:3?

The Lord gives three very clear warnings against "adding and taking away" from His Word.

Deuteronomy 4:2 reads: "YE SHALL NOT ADD unto the word which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH ought from it . . ."

Proverbs 30:6, reads, "ADD THOU NOT unto his words . . ."

And just in case you missed it, GOD'S LAST WARNING is Revelation 22:18,19:

". . . IF ANY MAN SHALL ADD unto these things. . . And if any man shall TAKE AWAY FROM THE WORDS of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life. . ."

Despite these clear warnings, the NCV takes out and adds text, over and over! One of the greatest verses in all the Bible, Matthew 18:11: "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." – the NCV takes it out!

The fundamental of fundamentals is the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The fact that Jesus Christ was God manifest in the flesh, is the foundation of the Christian faith. Everything builds upon that. If the deity of Jesus Christ is attacked or even confused, the Christian faith crumbles.

One of the major sins of the new PERversions is the confusion, dilution and out right denial of the deity of Jesus Christ. And the NCV travels down this perilous path of perversion.

Several times the King James Bible plainly states that Jesus Christ is the "image of God". The NCV changes the clear "image of God" to the diluted and confusing "exactly LIKE God". Jesus Christ is no longer God but simply "like" God.

2 Corinthians 4:4, KJB
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 4:4, NCV
The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News--the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is exactly like God.

Colossians 1:14-15, KJB
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Colossians 1:14-15, NCV (Notice the NCV removes "through his blood"
14 The Son paid for our sins, and in him we have forgiveness.
15 No one can see God, but Jesus Christ is exactly like him. He ranks higher than everything that has been made.

Isaiah 14:12-14
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

In Hebrews 1:3, Jesus Christ is no longer the "brightness of God’s glory" but simply "reflects the Glory of God". The clear and dogmatic phrase ". . .the express image of his [God] person" is now downgraded to simply "exactly what God is like. . ." Why would a Christian do this?

Hebrews 1:3, KJB
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 1:3, NCV
The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is like. He holds everything together with his powerful word. When the Son made people clean from their sins, he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.

Colossians 2:9 clearly states the Lord Jesus is "all the fullness of the Godhead bodily". Plainly, testifying to the deity of Jesus Christ – the Godhead bodily. Again the NCV denies the deity of the Lord Jesus by stating, "God lives in Christ fully (even when Christ was on earth)" — clearly SEPARATING the Lord Jesus from God!

Colossians 2:9-10, KJB
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Colossians 2:9-10, NCV
9 All of God lives in Christ fully (even when Christ was on earth),
10 and you have a full and true life in Christ, who is ruler over all rulers and powers.

1 Timothy 3:16 is probably the clearest verse in the Bible asserting that Jesus Christ was "God manifest in the flesh". The NCV changes it to the trivial "He was shown to us in a human body ". Who is "he"? He is a pronoun that requires a noun to qualify it. There is no noun in the context! He could be anybody!

1 Timothy 3:16, KJB
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 Timothy 3:16, NCV
Without doubt, the secret of our life of worship is great: He was shown to us in a human body, proved right in spirit, and seen by angels. He was preached to those who are not Jews, believed in by the world, and taken up in glory.

Again (and again…) the NCV changes the clear statement of Philippians 2:6 testifying that Jesus Christ was "equal with God" to the confusing ". . . he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit."

Philippians 2:6-7, KJB
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Philippians 2:6-7, NCV
6 Christ himself was like God in everything. But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit.
7 But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant.

As all faithful PERversions do, the redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is attacked, removed, or diluted.

The message of the "the innocent blood" of Jesus Christ from the mouth of Judas, testifying of the sinless, blood-atonement of the Lord Jesus, is changed to the frivolous "innocent man". Notice also the definite "THE innocent blood" is changed to the indefinite "AN innocent man". There are many "an innocent man" but there is only ONE "THE innocent blood".

Matthew 27:4, KJB
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

Matthew 27:4, NCV
saying, "I sinned; I handed over to you an innocent man." The leaders answered, "What is that to us? That's your problem, not ours."

Pilate’s confirmation of the sinless Lord Jesus in Matthew 27:24 is also removed in the NCV. Pilate’s "blood of this just person" is now simply "this man’s death".

Matthew 27:24-25, KJB
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Matthew 27:24-25, NCV
24 When Pilate saw that he could do nothing about this and that a riot was starting, he took some water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. Then he said, "I am not guilty of this man's death. You are the ones who are causing it!"
25 All the people answered, "We and our children will be responsible for his death."

Acts 20:28 is one of the greatest verses in the Bible. And the NCV does a "double-wammy" to Acts 20:28. The NCV removes "the blood" and at the same time adds the word "son" thus diluting the clear reference to the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Again, there is no Greek evidence for such a change.

Acts 20:28, KJB
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Acts 20:28, NCV (Attacks the deity and also removes the blood)
Be careful for yourselves and for all the people the Holy Spirit has given to you to care for. you must be like shepherds to the church of God, which he bought with the death of his own son.

Many times the passion of the "blood" of the Lord Jesus Christ is diluted by adding the words "of death" to the message of the blood. By adding the words "of His death", etc. the "blood" is no longer the OBJECT but a modifier of "death". Clearly clouding the emphasis the Holy Spirits gives to the blood. There is no Greek evidence for adding "death".

Matthew 27:6, KJB
And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

Matthew 27:6, NCV
The leading priests picked up the silver coins in the Temple and said, "Our law does not allow us to keep this money with the Temple money, because it has paid for a man's death."

Romans 3:25, KJB
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Romans 3:25, NCV
God gave him as a way to forgive sin through faith in the blood of Jesus' death. This showed that God always does what is right and fair, as in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins.

Romans 5:9, KJB
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 5:9, NCV
So through Christ we will surely be saved from God's anger, because we have been made right with God by the blood of Christ's death.

Ephesians 1:7, KJB
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 1:7, NCV
In Christ we are set free by the blood of his death, and so we have forgiveness of sins. How rich is God's grace,

Ephesians 2:13, KJB
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13, NCV
But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ's death.

Colossians 1:20, KJB
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:20, NCV
And through Christ, God has brought all things back to himself again--things on earth and things in heaven. God made peace through the blood of Christ's death on the cross.

Hebrews 10:19, KJB
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Hebrews 10:19, NCV
So, brothers and sisters, we are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place without fear because of the blood of Jesus' death.

Revelation 1:5, KJB
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Revelation 1:5, NCV
and from Jesus Christ. Jesus is the faithful witness, the first among those raised from the dead. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth. He is the One who loves us, who made us free from our sins with the blood of his death.

Revelation 5:9, KJB
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Revelation 5:9, NCV
And they all sang a new song to the Lamb: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were killed, and with the blood of your death you bought people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

Revelation 12:11, KJB
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 12:11, NCV
And our brothers and sisters defeated him by the blood of the Lamb's death and by the message they preached. They did not love their lives so much that they were afraid of death.

The ICV and the NCV were maong the first gender-neutral, non-male, pro-feminist, Bibles. Authors Vern Poythress and Wayne Grudem, write in The Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy concerning the NCV and ICV:

"The earliest complete translations of the Bible to adopt a gender-neutral translation policy were apparently the New Century Version (NCV) and the International Children’s Bible (ICB), both published by Word publishing Company."
(Vern S. Poythress & Wayne A. Grudem, The Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy, Muting the Masculinity of God’s Words, p. 9)

The International Children’s Version was the first mainstream Bible to go gender-neutral-feminist. There was absolutely nothing in the preface of the ICV that warned the parents of the politically-correct, gender-neutral, feminist agenda. It is very troubling the ICV was an undercover-gender-neutral production aimed at our very young children.

The International Children’s Bible was promoted and given away by the Billy Graham Crusade. It was also used in the Adventures in Odyssey Bible, a partnership between James Dobson, Focus on the Family and Word Publishing.

In order to neuter the ICB and NCV into a anti-male, pro-feminist, politically-correct PERversion -- thousands and thousands of clear masculine-gender verbs in the God-inspired Greek text, were intentionally mis-translated.

The NCV removes the male pronoun "he" 791 times!

The NCV removes the male pronoun "him" 936 times!

The NCV removes the male pronoun "his" 238 times!

The NCV removes the word "man" 230 times!

The NCV removes the word "men" 219 times!

And the word "mankind" is completely removed!

One of the major problems facing America today is fatherless families. Today, fathers are an endangered species. It’s gotten so bad, President Bush and Congress have proposed "buy back the fathers" programs offering cash incentives just to encourage fathers to marry.

The father’s role in a family can not be overemphasized.

Look at the following alarming statistics:

63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes.
[U. S. D.H.H.S. Bureau of the Census]

90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes.

85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.
[Center for Disease Control]

80% of rapist motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes.
[Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol. 14 p. 403-26]

72% percent of adolescent murders come from fatherless homes.
[William J. Bennett, The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators, p. 61]

71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.
[National Principals Association Report on the State of High Schools]

70% of juveniles in state operated institutions come from fatherless homes
[U.S. Dept. of Justice, Special Report, Sept., 1988]

70 percent of long-term prison inmates come from fatherless homes.
[William J. Bennett, The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators, p. 61]

85% of all youths sitting in prisons grew up in a fatherless home.
[Fulton County Georgia Jail Populations and Texas Dept. of Corrections, 1992]

Nearly 2 of every 5 children in America do not live with their fathers.
[US News and World Report, February 27, 1995, p.39]

Fatherless children are:

4.6 times more likely to commit suicide,

6.6 times to become teenaged mothers (if they are girls, of course),

24.3 times more likely to run away,

15.3 times more likely to have behavioral disorders,

6.3 times more likely to be in a state-operated institutions,

10.8 times more likely to commit rape,

6.6 times more likely to drop out of school,

15.3 times more likely to end up in prison while a teenager.

Louis Sullivan, former secretary of Health and Family Services, said, "Male absence from family life is the greatest challenge of our generation."

The National Organization for Women (N.O.W) leaves no doubt to the feminist opinion of fathers. A December 3, 1999 N.O.W., Action Alert included this statement, "It’s a father’s presence, not his absence, that is harmful to kids." www.alliance4lifemin.org/herestoyoudad.html

And following the feminist script to the letter -- the NCV removes "father" an unbelievable 492 times! What do they have against fathers? Is "father" such an archaic outdated, word? Or is "father" too hard to understand?

And what "easy to read" (the primary purpose of the NCV and ICV) word do they replace our "fathers" with? 51 times the NCV replaces the simple, easy-to-read and understand "father" with the harder word "ancestor".

Here’s an example of the "father-less ancestor" of the NCV in Acts 7:2

Acts 7:2
Stephen answered, "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to Abraham, our ancestor, in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran.

Acts 7:2
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

The Greek word for "father" is "pater". And "pater" is the direct descendent to our English word "father". The etymology of "father" is Middle English fader, Old English f[ae]der; to Old German fater father, Latin pater, Greek patEr. In fact, the Latin word for "father" is the Greek "pater".

To translate "pater" to "ancestor", etc. is a deliberate MIS-translation to line up with politically correct, feminist agenda.

To line up with the politically-correct, feminist agenda the NCV completely divorces itself from the word "brethren".

Most of the time the NCV replaces the word "brethren" with the words "brothers and sisters". But there’s one little problem – just a little one -- there is no known Greek manuscript on the planet with the Greek word "sisters" where "brethren" appears! But when did the Greek evidence ever affect the modern day Bible translators.

The NCV intentionally adds "sisters" to the God-given Greek text 118 times!

A few examples of the NCV "sisters" folly:

Notice, the first verse is a MIS quote of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 23:8, KJB
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Matthew 23:8, NCV
"But you must not be called 'Teacher,' because you have only one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters together.

Acts 3:17, KJB
And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

Acts 3;17, NCV
"Brothers and sisters, I know you did those things to Jesus because neither you nor your leaders understood what you were doing.

Acts 6:3, KJB
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Acts 6:3, NCV
So, brothers and sisters, choose seven of your own men who are good, full of the Spirit and full of wisdom. We will put them in charge of this work.

The NCV completely removes the word "fornication" (44 times).

Many times the NCV replaces the clear, definite, word fornication with vague, subjective, terms such as "sexual sins", "sin sexually", "any kind of sexual sin". The big problem with such re-definitions (in addition that they are contrary to the Greek text) they are subjectively based on the reader’s "definition" of "sexual sin". Ask 50 people what is a "sexual sin" and you’ll get 50 different answers, especially among teenagers. Who can forget the Bill Clinton fiasco and just what IS "sex". No one misunderstands the word "fornication".

A few examples of the NCV’s "sexual sins":

Acts 15:20, KJB
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:20, NCV
Instead, we should write a letter to them telling them these things: Stay away from food that has been offered to idols (which makes it unclean), any kind of sexual sin, eating animals that have been strangled, and blood.

1 Corinthians 6:18, KJB
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

1 Corinthians 6:18, NCV
So run away from sexual sin. Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies.

Ephesians 5:3, KJB
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Ephesians 5:3, NCV
But there must be no sexual sin among you, or any kind of evil or greed. Those things are not right for God's holy people.

Besides three references to Mary (to please the Roman Catholics?), the NCV completely removes the word "virgin" from the New Testament (12 times). Is "virgin" an archaic, out-dated, hard to understand word? If anything, we ought to be adding more "virgins" rather than removing them! That’s exactly what our young people do not need – removing "virgins". I wonder. . . Does the NCV and staff have a problem with "virgins"?

A few instances of the NCV’s removing "virgins".

1 Corinthians 7:25, 28, 34, 36, 37 KJB
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful
. . .
28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
. . .
34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
. . .
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

1 Corinthians 7:25, 28, 34, 36, 37 NCV
25 Now I write about people who are not married. I have no command from the Lord about this; I give my opinion. But I can be trusted, because the Lord has shown me mercy.
. . .
28 But if you decide to marry, you have not sinned. And if a girl who has never married decides to marry, she has not sinned. But those who marry will have trouble in this life, and I want you to be free from trouble.
. . .
34 He must think about two things--pleasing his wife and pleasing the Lord. A woman who is not married or a girl who has never married is busy with the Lord's work. She wants to be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is busy with things of the world, as to how she can please her husband.
. . .
36 If a man thinks he is not doing the right thing with the girl he is engaged to, if she is almost past the best age to marry and he feels he should marry her, he should do what he wants. They should get married. It is no sin.
37 But if a man is sure in his mind that there is no need for marriage, and has his own desires under control, and has decided not to marry the one to whom he is engaged, he is doing the right thing.

Acts 21:9, KJB
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Acts 21:9, NCV
He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophesying.

By the way. . . There is a HUGE difference between a "virgin" and simply "unmarried" or "not married". Maybe the NCV staff needs the average teenager to explain the difference.

The NCV removes the word "gospel" 102 times. For some strange reason the NCV leaves the word "gospel" in only 2 places: Corinthians 9:13 and 2 Corinthians 11:4. Same Greek word. The NCV removes the "gospel" for the less authoritative and generic "good news". If anyone believes "gospel" is archaic or hard to understand or outdated, a quick search at Amazon.com gives a gigantic 5491 hits.

A few "gospel-gone" examples:

1 Corinthians 15:1-2, KJB
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2, NCV
1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want you to remember the Good News I brought to you. You received this Good News and continue strong in it.
2 And you are being saved by it if you continue believing what I told you. If you do not, then you believed for nothing.

Mark 16:15, KJB
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:15, NCV
Jesus said to his followers, "Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.

One of the words the new PERversions go mad to remove is the word "hell". Got to get rid of that hard to understand, archaic and outdated word "hell". The NCV extinguishes hell 39 times.

In some instances the NCV replaces "hell" with "depths". The NCV’s generic "depths" leave the reader hanging. Depths of what? Depths of the deep blue sea. . .? Depths of the human heart. . .? Doesn’t that clear everything up? It’s ironic, for a Bible whose primary goal is to make the Bible easier to understand, they make it harder to understand. But does not all the modern new versions do the same?

Matthew 11:23, KJB
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Matthew 11:23, NCV
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to the depths. If the miracles I did in you had happened in Sodom, its people would have stopped sinning, and it would still be a city today.

But the NCV’s favorite choice for "hell’s" replacement is the generic "death". To seriously equate an eternal, burning, flaming hell with death or the grave is laughable.

Matthew 16:18, KJB
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18, NCV
So I tell you, you are Peter. On this rock I will build my church, and the power of death will not be able to defeat it.

Luke 16:23, KJB
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 16:23, NCV
In the place of the dead, he was in much pain. The rich man saw Abraham far away with Lazarus at his side.

Revelation 1:18, NCV
I am the One who lives; I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys to death and to the place of the dead.

Revelation 1:18, KJB
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

In Psalm 23:14, the NCV turns the parents admonition to discipline their children to save their soul from hell to "save them from death".

Psalm 23:14, KJB
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Psalm 23:14, NCV
If you spank them, you will save them from death.

C’mon. Disciplining your children will not "save them from death"! They will die – regardless. A direct contradiction to Hebrews 9:27!

Hebrews 9:27, KJB
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

How can anybody so pervert and distort the Word of God? No wonder people no longer believe the Bible is the Word of God – with these ridiculous PERversions polluting the land!

The NCV renders Psalm 9:17 into gibberish nonsense. From the "wicked shall be turned into hell. . ." they translate "Wicked people will go to the grave. . ." Hey – dummy. . . We ALL go to the grave! Not just the wicked.

Psalm 9:17, NCV
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Psalm 9:17, KJB
Wicked people will go to the grave, and so will all those who forget God.

In Isaiah 14:15, Lucifer is not longer brought "down to hell" but simply to "the grave". Hmm. . . I wonder who would do that?

Isaiah 14:15, KJB
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Isaiah 14:15, NCV
But you were brought down to the grave, to the deep places where the dead are.

Speaking of Lucifer, or should I say NOT speaking of Lucifer – because Lucifer is not in the NCV! One of the most disgusting betrayals to the Lord Jesus Christ occurs in Isaiah 14:12. The NCV magically transforms "Lucifer" into the "morning star". And who is the "morning star"? You guessed it. . . The Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 22:16! Wow! The NCV also says the "morning star" or the Lord Jesus, "fallen from heaven" Wow! That’s some pretty serious stuff!

Isaiah 14:12, KJB
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Isaiah 14:12, NCV
King of Babylon, morning star, you have fallen from heaven, even though you were as bright as the rising sun! In the past all the nations on earth bowed down before you, but now you have been cut down.

Revelation 22:16, KJB
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

There are many more problems inside the pages of the Church of Christ cult produced New Century Version.