Is the King James Bible OK for Catholics?

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

The King James Version (KJV) is arguably the most famous book in the English language. Phrases like "The Lord is my shepherd" and "Our Father, who art in heaven" are burned into our collective memory in the specific, poetic rhythm of the KJV.

Because of its cultural status and literary beauty, many Catholics are drawn to it. You might have been gifted one by a friend, or perhaps you just prefer the majestic "thees" and "thous" over modern language.

But it raises an important question for the faithful: Is the King James Bible actually allowed for Catholics?

While Catholics are not forbidden from reading the King James Version (KJV) for personal devotion or literary study, it is not considered a complete Bible for Catholic use. The standard KJV is a Protestant translation that contains only 66 books. It omits the Deuterocanon (or Apocrypha)—seven books such as Tobit, Judith, and Maccabees—which are recognised by the Catholic Church as inspired scripture. For this reason, the KJV is never used in Mass. Catholics seeking a similar traditional style are often encouraged to use the Douay-Rheims or the RSV-CE (Catholic Edition).

The short answer is: You can read it for prayer and study, but it is incomplete for Catholic use.

Here is the simple explanation of why, and what you might be missing.

The Main Problem: The "Missing" Books

The biggest difference between a KJV and a "Catholic Bible" isn't usually the translation of the verses—it’s the number of books.

When the King James Bible was standardised, it followed the Protestant tradition of moving seven books (and parts of Daniel and Esther) into a separate section called the Apocrypha, or removing them entirely.

The Catholic Church, however, has always recognised these books (known as the Deuterocanon) as fully inspired scripture. These include:

• Tobit
• Judith
• 1 & 2 Maccabees
• Wisdom
• Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
• Baruch

If you use a standard KJV for your primary Bible, you are effectively missing a chunk of the family library. You won't find the prayers for the dead (2 Maccabees) or certain beautiful wisdom passages that are read during the Catholic liturgical year.

The Translation Issue

Aside from the missing books, there are small but significant translation choices in the KJV that reflect the theology of 17th-century Protestant England.

While 99% of the text is compatible with Catholic teaching, there are footnotes and specific word choices (particularly regarding the Virgin Mary and the Eucharist) where a Catholic edition would offer a reading more in line with Church teaching and tradition.

The Best Alternatives (That Sound Like the KJV)

If you love the KJV because of its style - the grand, poetic, "high" English - you don't have to settle for a modern, casual translation. There are Catholic Bibles that capture that same majesty.

1. The Douay-Rheims Version This is the "Catholic KJV." Translated around the same time (actually slightly earlier), it uses the same beautiful, archaic language ("thee," "thou," "verily") but contains all 73 books and is fully approved by the Church.

2. The RSV-CE (Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition) This is often considered the gold standard for Catholic study. It keeps much of the KJV’s poetic rhythm but updates the scholarship. It is widely used by Catholic scholars and authors (like Scott Hahn).

3. The ESV-CE (Catholic Edition) A newer option that has gained popularity in the UK (and is now used in the Lectionary in England and Wales). It is highly accurate and retains a dignified, "classic" feel.

Conclusion: Can I Keep My KJV?

Yes. The Church does not ban the reading of the KJV. If its poetry helps you pray, or its rhythm helps you memorise scripture, that is a good thing.

However, for Mass, deep study, and ensuring you have the whole Word of God as the Church understands it, you need a Catholic Edition.

Explore Our Range of Catholic Bibles Here

Not sure which Bible is right for you? You can learn more in our free ebook, 'How to Choose Your Bible'.