Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Living as Children of Light So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
33 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
King James Version · 1611
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
24 words · Formal / word-for-word
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
25 words · Essentially literal
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
The Message · 2002
And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd.
22 words · Contemporary paraphrase
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
27 words · Most literal English translation
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 4:17 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).
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.
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.