NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
10 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 3:18 — 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 the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
14 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
16 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
36 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
16 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
10 words
KJV
14 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
16 words
MSG
36 words
NASB
16 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 3:18?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 3:18 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 3:18 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.