NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 4:30 — 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 grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
33 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
35 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
33 words
MSG
35 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 4:30?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 4:30 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 4:30 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.