NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
21 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 3:12 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
23 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
22 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Apple trees don't bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don't bear apples, do they? You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?
34 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor [can] salt water produce fresh.
19 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
21 words
KJV
23 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
22 words
MSG
34 words
NASB
19 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 3:12?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 3:12 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 3:12 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.