NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 4:16 — 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 Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
22 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
20 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
So Cain left the LORD’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
16 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Cain left the presence of God and lived in No-Man's-Land, east of Eden.
13 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
20 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
22 words
ESV
20 words
NLT
16 words
MSG
13 words
NASB
20 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 4:16?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 4:16 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 4:16 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.