I just shake my head at you King James only guys, For some reason,because it was authorised by a man, you think it is the only correct version. infact this is not true, The ESV itself is a closer translation. I love the New Living Translation because of it's ease in English and thought for thought.
Word for word does not account for idioms, especially Greek ones. The King James only group don't seem to get the idea that there are word for word translations, there also though for thought. and they all have their purpose.
No one is under the illusion that you can do a bible study with the 'message' yet it is a fantastic read, especially concerning those tightly packed verses of Paul.
Another point is do you use a commentary, does not this help you understand? are you starting to get the idea of paraphrases.
Anyhow, The King James only team , sound like the priesthood, when English (or whatever their language may have been) versions started to appear, because the ordinary man could start to read it for themselves. personally I think you are starting to come into that category. If you are trying to be a purest, ditch the King James and all its mistakes and start reading the Greek, and then enforce everyone to learn that lets make the gospel hard for people to read
anyhow, I'm not against the King James, it has served well (400 years next year), and I love my New translations as well
I am against anyone like the King James only elite group making the gospel hard for a modern English speaking people. How many read Shakespeare for a past time?
I love my NIV, put I must admit I love reading the NLT (New Living Translation) more especialy at work or travelling and it is a looser translation than the NIV. But, my Main Bible is the ESV for its accuracy, and readability, when I say readability it is a word for word translation accounting for idioms, yet easily read by Modern English speakers
Phil