NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 3:9 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
22 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.
21 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image.
24 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
With it we bless [our] Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
22 words
NLT
21 words
MSG
24 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 3:9?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 3:9 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 3:9 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.