# Acts 17.22-34 **Book:** [Acts](/codex/acts/) · NASB95 ## Immediate context (±2 verses) **ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/)) > 20. For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21. (Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.) > > **22. And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that ye are very religious. 23. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you. 24. The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25. neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26. and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; 27. that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: 28. for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29. Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. 30. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: 31. inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 32. Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again. 33. Thus Paul went out from among them. 34. But certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.** (Acts 17:20-34, ASV) **WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/)) > 20. For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean.” 21. Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing. > > **22. Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things. 23. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you. 24. The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, 25. neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things. 26. He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27. that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28. ‘For in him we live, and move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29. Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. 30. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, 31. because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.” 32. Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.” 33. Thus Paul went out from among them. 34. But certain men joined with him, and believed, among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.** (Acts 17:20-34, WEB) **KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/)) > 20. For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) > > **22. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. Mars' hill: or, court of the Areopagites 23. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. devotions: or, gods that ye worship 24. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26. And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27. That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. hath given: or, offered faith 32. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. 33. So Paul departed from among them. 34. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.** (Acts 17:20-34, KJV) **YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/)) > 20. for certain strange things thou dost bring to our ears? we wish, then, to know what these things would wish to be;' 21. and all Athenians, and the strangers sojourning, for nothing else were at leisure but to say something, and to hear some newer thing. > > **22. And Paul, having stood in the midst of the Areopagus, said, 'Men, Athenians, in all things I perceive you as over-religious; 23. for passing through and contemplating your objects of worship, I found also an erection on which had been inscribed: To God, unknown; whom, therefore, not knowing, ye do worship, this One I announce to you. 24. 'God, who did make the world, and all things in it, this One, of heaven and of earth being Lord, in temples made with hands doth not dwell, 25. neither by the hands of men is He served, needing anything, He giving to all life, and breath, and all things; 26. He made also of one blood every nation of men, to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having ordained times before appointed, and the bounds of their dwellings 27. to seek the Lord, if perhaps they did feel after Him and find,, though, indeed, He is not far from each one of us, 28. for in Him we live, and move, and are; as also certain of your poets have said: For of Him also we are offspring. 29. 'Being, therefore, offspring of God, we ought not to think the Godhead to be like to gold, or silver, or stone, graving of art and device of man; 30. the times, indeed, therefore, of the ignorance God having overlooked, doth now command all men everywhere to reform, 31. because He did set a day in which He is about to judge the world in righteousness, by a man whom He did ordain, having given assurance to all, having raised him out of the dead.' 32. And having heard of a rising again of the dead, some, indeed, were mocking, but others said, 'We will hear thee again concerning this;' 33. and so Paul went forth from the midst of them, 34. and certain men having cleaved to him, did believe, among whom [is] also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman, by name Damaris, and others with them.** (Acts 17:20-34, YLT) ## Setting - **Speaker:** _TBD_ - **Audience:** _TBD_ - **Location:** _TBD_ - **Time period:** _TBD_ ## Theological reading _Patristic / early-church-father exegesis, to be added._ ## Key words _Theologically-loaded Greek or Hebrew words in this verse may have entries in the lexicon. Curated to roughly 100 contested terms across the corpus, not every word; see Lexicon Roadmap._ - _TBD_ - _TBD_ - _TBD_ - _TBD_ ## Quoted in **Arguments and defeaters:** - [Anthropology Defeats Christianity Objection Defeater](/codex/anthropology-defeats-christianity-objection-defeater/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/), [Acts 17.27](/codex/acts-17-27/), [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Anthropology vs Epistemology Priority Objection Defeater](/codex/anthropology-vs-epistemology-priority-objection-defeater/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Aquinas Five Ways](/codex/aquinas-five-ways/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Argument from Awe and Wonder](/codex/argument-from-awe-and-wonder/), via [Acts 17.27-28](/codex/acts-17-27-28/) - [Argument from Consciousness](/codex/argument-from-consciousness/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Argument from Intelligibility](/codex/argument-from-intelligibility/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Argument from Origin of Life](/codex/argument-from-origin-of-life/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Argument from Religious Experience](/codex/argument-from-religious-experience/), via [Acts 17.27](/codex/acts-17-27/) - [Argument from the Addressee of Gratitude](/codex/argument-from-the-addressee-of-gratitude/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Argument from the Continuance of Being](/codex/argument-from-the-continuance-of-being/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Argument from the Demand to Be Witnessed](/codex/argument-from-the-demand-to-be-witnessed/), via [Acts 17.27-28](/codex/acts-17-27-28/) - [Argument from the Genetic Code](/codex/argument-from-the-genetic-code/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Argument from the Mirror-Recognition Convergence](/codex/argument-from-the-mirror-recognition-convergence/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Argument from the Narrative-Identity Convergence](/codex/argument-from-the-narrative-identity-convergence/), via [Acts 17.31-32](/codex/acts-17-31-32/) - [Argument from the Observer-Demand Convergence](/codex/argument-from-the-observer-demand-convergence/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Bayesian Argument for Theism](/codex/bayesian-argument-for-theism/), via [Acts 17.27](/codex/acts-17-27/) - [Biogenesis Argument](/codex/biogenesis-argument/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Build the Cosmological Argument](/codex/build-the-cosmological-argument/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/) - [Cartesian Skeptical Argument and Christian Responses](/codex/cartesian-skeptical-argument-and-christian-responses/), via [Acts 17.27-28](/codex/acts-17-27-28/) - [Chirality Argument](/codex/chirality-argument/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Christian God is the Only True God](/codex/christian-god-is-the-only-true-god/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/) - [Christianity Is the White Mans Religion Objection Defeater](/codex/christianity-is-the-white-mans-religion-objection-defeater/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [Contingency Argument](/codex/contingency-argument/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/), [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/), [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Cosmic Dictator Objection Defeater](/codex/cosmic-dictator-objection-defeater/), via [Acts 17.24-25](/codex/acts-17-24-25/) - [Define the God You Deny (Debate Traps)](/codex/define-the-god-you-deny-debate-traps/), via [Acts 17.27-28](/codex/acts-17-27-28/) - [Epistemology Defeats Christianity Objection Defeater](/codex/epistemology-defeats-christianity-objection-defeater/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/), [Acts 17.30-31](/codex/acts-17-30-31/) - [Evil as Privation of Good](/codex/evil-as-privation-of-good/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Evil God Objection Defeater](/codex/evil-god-objection-defeater/), via [Acts 17.26-27](/codex/acts-17-26-27/) - [Fine-Tuning Argument](/codex/fine-tuning-argument/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/) - [First Way - Motion](/codex/first-way-motion/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Gentiles Cannot Be Saved Objection Defeater](/codex/gentiles-cannot-be-saved-objection-defeater/), via [Acts 17.22-31](/codex/acts-17-22-31/), [Acts 17.26-27](/codex/acts-17-26-27/) - [Hand of God Argument](/codex/hand-of-god-argument/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Inference to the Best Explanation in Bio Origins Argument](/codex/inference-to-the-best-explanation-in-bio-origins-argument/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/) - [Inherited Guilt and Visiting Iniquity Objection Defeater](/codex/inherited-guilt-and-visiting-iniquity-objection-defeater/), via [Acts 17.30](/codex/acts-17-30/) - [Interdependency Argument](/codex/interdependency-argument/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Irreducible Complexity Argument](/codex/interdependency-argument/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Kantian Critique of Natural Theology Defeater](/codex/kantian-critique-of-natural-theology-defeater/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/) - [Meta-Ontological Argument for Theism](/codex/meta-ontological-argument-for-theism/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Methodological Naturalism Critique](/codex/methodological-naturalism-critique/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/) - [Miller-Urey Reframe Argument](/codex/miller-urey-reframe-argument/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Mitochondrial Eve Argument](/codex/mitochondrial-eve-argument/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [Molecular Machines Argument](/codex/molecular-machines-argument/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Mythicism Refutation](/codex/mythicism-refutation/), via [Acts 17.16-34](/codex/acts-17-16-34/) - [Necessary Being is an Intelligent Mind](/codex/necessary-being-is-an-intelligent-mind/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/), [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Necessity of the Incarnation](/codex/necessity-of-the-incarnation/), via [Acts 17.31](/codex/acts-17-31/) - [OT Polytheism Objection Defeater](/codex/ot-polytheism-objection-defeater/), via [Acts 17.22-31](/codex/acts-17-22-31/) - [Perfection Argument](/codex/perfection-argument/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Population Genetics for Historical Adam Argument](/codex/population-genetics-for-historical-adam-argument/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [Pragmatic Argument](/codex/pragmatic-argument/), via [Acts 17.30-31](/codex/acts-17-30-31/) - [Problem of Evil, Free Will Defense](/codex/problem-of-evil-free-will-defense/), via [Acts 17.26-28](/codex/acts-17-26-28/) - [Religious Pluralism Objection Defeater](/codex/religious-pluralism-objection-defeater/), via [Acts 17.30-31](/codex/acts-17-30-31/) - [RNA World Failure Argument](/codex/rna-world-failure-argument/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Second Way - Efficient Causality](/codex/second-way-efficient-causality/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/), [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Signature in the Cell Argument](/codex/signature-in-the-cell-argument/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Specified Complexity Argument](/codex/specified-complexity-argument/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Stealing from God Argument](/codex/stealing-from-god-argument/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Transcendental Argument for God](/codex/transcendental-argument-for-god/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) **Concepts:** - [Adam and Eve Historicity](/codex/adam-and-eve-historicity/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [African Traditional Deities (Demonic)](/codex/african-traditional-deities-demonic/), via [Acts 17.22-31](/codex/acts-17-22-31/), [Acts 17.30](/codex/acts-17-30/) - [Apologetics](/codex/apologetics/), via [Acts 17.16-34](/codex/acts-17-16-34/), [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [Apologist](/codex/apologist/), via [Acts 17.16-34](/codex/acts-17-16-34/), [Acts 17.30](/codex/acts-17-30/) - [Aseity](/codex/aseity/), via [Acts 17.24-25](/codex/acts-17-24-25/), [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Atheism](/codex/atheism/), via [Acts 17.24-25](/codex/acts-17-24-25/) - [Biblical Slavery Objection](/codex/biblical-slavery-objection/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [Christianity](/codex/christianity/), via [Acts 17.31](/codex/acts-17-31/) - [Classical Theism vs Theistic Personalism](/codex/classical-theism-vs-theistic-personalism/), via [Acts 17.24-25](/codex/acts-17-24-25/) - [Concurrentism](/codex/concurrentism/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Conservation Laws](/codex/conservation-laws/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Defining Chattel Slavery and Biblical Servitude](/codex/defining-chattel-slavery-and-biblical-servitude/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [Doctrine](/codex/doctrine/), via [Acts 17.24-25](/codex/acts-17-24-25/), [Acts 17.27-28](/codex/acts-17-27-28/) - [Eschatology](/codex/eschatology/), via [Acts 17.31](/codex/acts-17-31/) - [Evangelism](/codex/evangelism/), via [Acts 17.22-31](/codex/acts-17-22-31/) - [Faith](/codex/h0530-emunah/), via [Acts 17.31](/codex/acts-17-31/) - [Free Will and Determinism](/codex/free-will-and-determinism/), via [Acts 17.30](/codex/acts-17-30/) - [General Revelation](/codex/romans-1-19-20/), via [Acts 17.22-31](/codex/acts-17-22-31/) - [God is Impossible Paradox Cluster](/codex/god-is-impossible-paradox-cluster/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/) - [Gospel](/codex/g2098-euangelion/), via [Acts 17.24-28](/codex/acts-17-24-28/), [Acts 17.30-31](/codex/acts-17-30-31/) - [Hyper-Calvinism](/codex/hyper-calvinism/), via [Acts 17.30](/codex/acts-17-30/) - [Imago Dei](/codex/genesis-1-27/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [Is Atheism a Religion](/codex/is-atheism-a-religion/), via [Acts 17.22-31](/codex/acts-17-22-31/) - [Karma](/codex/karma/), via [Acts 17.31](/codex/acts-17-31/) - [Lesson 1.2, The Biblical Charge](/codex/lesson-1-2-the-biblical-charge/), via [Acts 17.16-34](/codex/acts-17-16-34/) - [Methodological Naturalism](/codex/naturalism/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Mission Geography (Acts 1-8)](/codex/mission-geography-acts-1-8/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [Monergism](/codex/monergism/), via [Acts 17.30](/codex/acts-17-30/) - [Natural Theology](/codex/natural-theology/), via [Acts 17.22-31](/codex/acts-17-22-31/) - [Necessary vs Contingent Being](/codex/necessary-vs-contingent-being/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [Occasionalism](/codex/occasionalism/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Panentheism](/codex/panentheism/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Pantheism](/codex/pantheism/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Polytheism](/codex/polytheism/), via [Acts 17.16-34](/codex/acts-17-16-34/) - [Quick Objection Responses](/codex/quick-objection-responses/), via [Acts 17.27](/codex/acts-17-27/) - [Repentance](/codex/g3341-metanoia/), via [Acts 17.30](/codex/acts-17-30/) - [Resurrection of Jesus - Theological Significance](/codex/resurrection-of-jesus-theological-significance/), via [Acts 17.30-31](/codex/acts-17-30-31/), [Acts 17.31](/codex/acts-17-31/) - [Salvation of the Unevangelized](/codex/salvation-of-the-unevangelized/), via [Acts 17.23-31](/codex/acts-17-23-31/), [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/), [Acts 17.27](/codex/acts-17-27/) - [Seeking God](/codex/seeking-god/), via [Acts 17.27](/codex/acts-17-27/) - [Sensus Divinitatis](/codex/sensus-divinitatis/), via [Acts 17.22-31](/codex/acts-17-22-31/) - [Spiritual But Not Religious](/codex/spiritual-but-not-religious/), via [Acts 17.27-28](/codex/acts-17-27-28/) - [The Muslim Defense](/codex/the-muslim-defense/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [Zeitgeist - Pagan Parallels](/codex/zeitgeist-pagan-parallels/) **People:** - [Dionysius the Areopagite](/codex/dionysius-the-areopagite/), via [Acts 17.34](/codex/acts-17-34/) - [Frederick Douglass](/codex/frederick-douglass/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [Jude the Brother of Jesus](/codex/jude-the-brother-of-jesus/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) **Lexicon:** - [G0386 - anastasis](/codex/g0386-anastasis/), via [Acts 17.31-32](/codex/acts-17-31-32/) - [G1510 - eimi](/codex/g1510-eimi/), via [Acts 17.28](/codex/acts-17-28/) - [G2198 - zao](/codex/g2198-zao/), via [Acts 17.31](/codex/acts-17-31/) - [G2222 - zoe](/codex/g2222-zoe/), via [Acts 17.25](/codex/acts-17-25/) - [G2305 - theiotes](/codex/g2305-theiotes/), via [Acts 17.26-28](/codex/acts-17-26-28/) - [G2889 - kosmos](/codex/g2889-kosmos/), via [Acts 17.24](/codex/acts-17-24/) - [G2920 - krisis](/codex/g2920-krisis/), via [Acts 17.31](/codex/acts-17-31/) - [G3498 - nekros](/codex/g3498-nekros/), via [Acts 17.31](/codex/acts-17-31/) - [G3962 - pater](/codex/g3962-pater/), via [Acts 17.28-29](/codex/acts-17-28-29/) - [G4102 - pistis](/codex/g4102-pistis/), via [Acts 17.31](/codex/acts-17-31/) - [G5218 - hypakoe](/codex/g5218-hypakoe/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [G627 - apologia](/codex/g627-apologia/), via [Acts 17.22](/codex/acts-17-22/), [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) - [H0120 - adam](/codex/h0120-adam/), via [Acts 17.26](/codex/acts-17-26/) **Guides:** - [01 Foundations](/codex/01-foundations/), via [Acts 17.16-34](/codex/acts-17-16-34/) - [03 Arguments for God](/codex/03-arguments-for-god/), via [Acts 17](/codex/acts-17/) - [05 Evangelistic Apologetics](/codex/05-evangelistic-apologetics/), via [Acts 17.30](/codex/acts-17-30/) --- _Scripture quotations taken from the **New American Standard Bible®** (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by **The Lockman Foundation**. Used by permission. All rights reserved. [www.lockman.org](https://www.lockman.org)_ ## Why these four translations ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance. The four: - **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition. - **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English. - **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base. - **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff. See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.