NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 4:25 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
23 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
20 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
41 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE [of you] WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.
20 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
23 words
NLT
20 words
MSG
41 words
NASB
20 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 4:25?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 4:25 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 4:25 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.