NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Two Kinds of Wisdom Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
29 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 3:13 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
25 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
25 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts.
35 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
29 words
KJV
25 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
25 words
MSG
35 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 3:13?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 3:13 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 3:13 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.