NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
17 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 4:32 — 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 be ye kind one to another , tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
21 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
19 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
17 words
KJV
21 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
19 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 4:32?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 4:32 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 4:32 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.