NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 3:8 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
16 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.
16 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer.
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
But no one can tame the tongue; [it is] a restless evil [and] full of deadly poison.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
16 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
16 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 3:8?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 3:8 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 3:8 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.