NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 3:10 — 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 he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
22 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”
24 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
He said, "I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid."
19 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
He said, 'I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.'
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
22 words
ESV
24 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
19 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 3:10?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 3:10 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 3:10 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.