NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 4:3 — 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 in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. <sup>in process: Heb. at the end of days</sup>
31 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Time passed. Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of his farm.
14 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
31 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
14 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 4:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 4:3 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 4:3 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.