NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
21 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 1:14 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
35 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
27 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of [God's own] possession, to the praise of His glory.
25 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
21 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
35 words
MSG
27 words
NASB
25 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 1:14?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 1:14 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Ephesians 1:14 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.