The King James Bible is the most widely published and the most influential book in the English language. To mark its 400th anniversary and celebrate its language, imagery, poetry and storytelling, here are 15 readings from the Old Testament, narrated by well-known actors such as Samuel West, Emilia Fox and Hugh Bonneville.

These timeless stories of faith, failure and redemption include 'Creation', 'Noah and the Ark', 'Joseph and his multi-coloured coat' and the stories of Abraham, King David and Job, as well as excerpts from the Book of Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. They are introduced by eminent figures from the worlds of history and literature, including Simon Schama, David Lodge, Kamila Shamsie and Howard Brenton.