NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
26 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 3:10 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
24 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
24 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
29 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Through Christians like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!
22 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly [places].
25 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
26 words
KJV
24 words
ESV
24 words
NLT
29 words
MSG
22 words
NASB
25 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 3:10?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 3:10 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 3:10 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.