NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 3:12 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
14 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.
22 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
12 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
14 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
22 words
NASB
12 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 3:12?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 3:12 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 3:12 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.