NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
24 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 3:9 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
32 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,
23 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
23 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along.
33 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
24 words
KJV
32 words
ESV
23 words
NLT
23 words
MSG
33 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 3:9?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 3:9 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 3:9 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.