NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.”
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 1:6 — 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 God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. <sup>firmament: Heb. expansion</sup>
26 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”
23 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.”
24 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
God spoke: "Sky! In the middle of the waters; separate water from water!"
13 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Then God said, 'Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.'
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
26 words
ESV
23 words
NLT
24 words
MSG
13 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 1:6?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 1:6 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 Genesis 1:6 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.