NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 4:3 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
9 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
9 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 4:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 4:3 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 4:3 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.