NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 3:11 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? <sup>place: or, hole</sup>
16 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it?
14 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Does a fountain send out from the same opening [both] fresh and bitter [water]?
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
16 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
14 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 3:11?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 3:11 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 James 3:11 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.