NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
King James Version · 1611
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
14 words · Formal / word-for-word
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
10 words · Essentially literal
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
The Message · 2002
Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
13 words · Most literal English translation
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 4:10 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).
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.
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.