diff --git a/runtime/syntax/monk.vim b/runtime/syntax/monk.vim
index afe2b56..851560a 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/monk.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/monk.vim
@@ -21,11 +21,8 @@
 
 " Initializing:
 
-" For version 5.x: Clear all syntax items
-" For version 6.x: Quit when a syntax file was already loaded
-if version < 600
-  syntax clear
-elseif exists("b:current_syntax")
+" quit when a syntax file was already loaded
+if exists("b:current_syntax")
   finish
 endif
 
@@ -60,11 +57,7 @@
 
 " R5RS Scheme Functions and Syntax:
 
-if version < 600
-  set iskeyword=33,35-39,42-58,60-90,94,95,97-122,126,_
-else
-  setlocal iskeyword=33,35-39,42-58,60-90,94,95,97-122,126,_
-endif
+setlocal iskeyword=33,35-39,42-58,60-90,94,95,97-122,126,_
 
 syn keyword monkSyntax lambda and or if cond case define let let* letrec
 syn keyword monkSyntax begin do delay set! else =>
@@ -201,32 +194,24 @@
 " ... i.e. synchronize on a line that starts at the left margin
 
 " Define the default highlighting.
-" For version 5.7 and earlier: only when not done already
-" For version 5.8 and later: only when an item doesn't have highlighting yet
-if version >= 508 || !exists("did_monk_syntax_inits")
-  if version < 508
-    let did_monk_syntax_inits = 1
-    command -nargs=+ HiLink hi link <args>
-  else
-    command -nargs=+ HiLink hi def link <args>
-  endif
+" Only when an item doesn't have highlighting yet
+command -nargs=+ HiLink hi def link <args>
 
-  HiLink monkSyntax		Statement
-  HiLink monkFunc		Function
+HiLink monkSyntax		Statement
+HiLink monkFunc		Function
 
-  HiLink monkString		String
-  HiLink monkChar		Character
-  HiLink monkNumber		Number
-  HiLink monkBoolean		Boolean
+HiLink monkString		String
+HiLink monkChar		Character
+HiLink monkNumber		Number
+HiLink monkBoolean		Boolean
 
-  HiLink monkDelimiter	Delimiter
-  HiLink monkConstant	Constant
+HiLink monkDelimiter	Delimiter
+HiLink monkConstant	Constant
 
-  HiLink monkComment		Comment
-  HiLink monkError		Error
+HiLink monkComment		Comment
+HiLink monkError		Error
 
-  delcommand HiLink
-endif
+delcommand HiLink
 
 let b:current_syntax = "monk"