Translation Guidelines
The New Testament was translated from the Textus Receptus (Received Text) series of the Greek texts. The Old Testament was translated from the Masoretic Hebrew text, while the Apocrypha were translated from the Greek Septuagint (LXX), except for 2 Esdras, which was translated from the Latin Vulgate.
Rather than working together all at one location, these men were divided into six separate groups, which worked at three separate locations. There were two at Westminster, two at Oxford, and two at Cambridge.
Each group was given a selected portion of Scripture to translate.
Each scholar made his own translation of a book, and then passed it on to be reviewed by each member of his group.
The whole group then went over the book together.
Once a group had completed a book of the Bible, they sent it to be reviewed by the other five groups.
All objectionable and questionable translating was marked and noted, and then it was returned to the original group for consideration.
A special committee was formed by selecting one leader from each group. This committee worked out all of the remaining differences and presented a finished copy for the printers in 1611.
This means that the King James Bible had to pass at least fourteen examinations before going to press.
Throughout this entire process, any learned individuals of the land could be called upon for their judgment, and the churches were kept informed of the progress
Here are the translators words to the readers of the Holy Bible King James Version 1611
Ye are brought unto fountains of living water which ye digged not; do not cast earth into them, with the Philistines, [Gen.26:15] neither prefer broken pits before them, with the wicked Jews. [Jer.2:13]
Others have laboured, and you may enter into their labours. O receive not so great things in vain; O despise not so great salvation! Be not like swine to tread under foot so precious things, [Matt.8:34] neither yet like dogs to tear and abuse holy things. Say not to our Saviour with the Gergesites, Depart out of our coasts; neither yet with Esau [Heb.12:16] sell your birthright for a mess of pottage.
If light be come into the world, love not darkness more than light; if food, if clothing, be offered, go not naked, starve not yourselves. Remember the advice of Nazianzene, It is a grievous thing (or dangerous) to neglect a great fair, and to seek to make markets afterwards: also the encouragement of S.Chrysostome, It is altogether impossible, that he that is sober (and watchful) should at any time be neglected.
Lastly, the admonition and menacing of S.Augustine, They that despise God's will inviting them, shall feel God's will taking vengeance of them. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; [Heb.10:31] but a blessed thing it is, and will bring us to everlasting blessedness in the end, when God speaketh unto us, to hearken; when He setteth His Word before us, to read it; when He stretcheth out His hand and calleth, to answer, Here am I; here we are to do thy will, O God.
The Lord work a care and conscience in us to know Him and serve Him, that we may be acknowledged of Him at the appearing of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, to whom with the Holy Ghost, be all praise and thanksgiving. Amen.
