NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
27 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 4:14 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. <sup>It: or, For it is</sup>
35 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
27 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog — it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
27 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing.
23 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are [just] a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
27 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
27 words
KJV
35 words
ESV
27 words
NLT
27 words
MSG
23 words
NASB
27 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 4:14?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 4:14 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 4:14 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.