NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Ephesians 4:9 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?
20 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
It's true, is it not, that the One who climbed up also climbed down, down to the valley of earth?
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
(Now this [expression], 'He ascended,' what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?
22 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
20 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
22 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Ephesians 4:9?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Ephesians 4:9 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 4:9 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.