NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 3:3 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, <sup>afore: or, a little before</sup>
23 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
I got the inside story on this from God himself, as I just wrote you in brief.
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
23 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
13 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 3:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 3:3 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 3:3 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.