I’m a convert so I’m not that all familiar with DR. However, I am familiar with the King James Version.
Many of the words used in the KJV have changed meaning over the years. Most laymen would not be familiar with the changes. For instance, “conversation” in the KJV sometimes means “conduct” in modern English. I have to wonder how many “literate” people would be aware of it.
Does the DR have similar problems?
Well, the original 1582-1609 translation was a bit hard to understand (even people back then had a hard time comprehending some words) because parts of it are too Latinate.
Here’s a sample from the 1582 Rheims NT, compared with the 1611 KJV and the Douay-Rheims Challoner (Romans 5:12-21):
1582 Rheims NT (spelling and punctuation as in original)
+ Therfore, as by one man sinne entered into this vvorld, and by sinne death: and so vnto al men death did passe, in vvhich al sinned.
+ For euen vnto the Lavv sinne vvas in the world: but sinne was not imputed, when the law was not.
+ But death reigned from Adam vnto Moyses, euen on them also that sinned not after the similitude of the preuarication of Adam, vvho is a figure of him to come.
+ But not as the offence, so also the gift, for if by the offence of one, many died: much more by the grace of God and the gift, in the grace of one man IESVS Christ, hath abounded vpon many.
+ And not as by one sinne, so also the gift. for judgmēt in deede is of one, to condemnatiō: but grace is of many offences, to iustificatiō.
+ For if in the offēce of one, death reigned by one: much more they that receiue the aboundance of grace and of donation & of iustice, shal reigne in life by one, IESVS Christ.
+ Therfore as by the offence of one, vnto al men to condemnation: so also by the iustice of one, vnto al men to iustification of life.
+ For as by the disobedience of one man, many vvere made sinners: so also by the obedience of one, many shal be made iust.
+ But the Law entred in, that sinne might abound. And vvhere sinne abounded, grace did more abound.
+ that as sinne reigned to death: so also grace may reigne by iustice to life euerlasting, through IESVS Christ our Lord.
1611 KJV (spelling as in the original)
12 Wherefore, as by one man sinne entred into the world, and death by sin: and so death passed vpon all men, for that all haue sinned.
13 For vntill the Law sinne was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no Law.
14 Neuertheles, death reigned from Adam to Moses, euen ouer them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come:
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift: for if through the offence of one, many bee dead: much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man Iesus Christ, hath abounded vnto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the iudgement was by one to condemnation: but the free gift is of many offences vnto iustification.
17 For if by one mans offence, death raigned by one, much more they which receiue abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnes, shall reigne in life by one, Iesus Christ.
18 Therfore as by the offence of one, iudgment came vpon all men to condemnation: euen so by the righteousnes of one, the free gift came vpon all men vnto iustification of life.
19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners: so by the obedience of one, shall many bee made righteous.
20 Moreouer, the Lawe entred, that the offence might abound: but where sinne abounded, grace did much more abound.
21 That as sinne hath reigned vnto death; euen so might grace reigne thorow righteousnes vnto eternall life, by Iesus Christ our Lord.
Douay-Rheims Challoner (1749-1752)
12 Wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world, and by sin death: and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned.
13 For until the law sin was in the world: but sin was not imputed, when the law was not.
14 But death reigned from Adam unto Moses, even over them also who have not sinned, after the similitude of the transgression of Adam, who is a figure of him who was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also the gift. For if by the offence of one, many died: much more the grace of God and the gift, by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one sin, so also is the gift. For judgment indeed was by one unto condemnation: but grace is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned through one; much more they who receive abundance of grace and of the gift and of justice shall reign in life through one, Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as by the offence of one, unto all men to condemnation: so also by the justice of one, unto all men to justification of life. 19 For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners: so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just.
20 Now the law entered in that sin might abound. And where sin abounded, grace did more abound.
21 That as sin hath reigned to death: so also grace might reign by justice unto life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord.