NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
21 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 3:16 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
24 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
24 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
21 words
KJV
24 words
ESV
24 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 3:16?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 3:16 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 3:16 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.