NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
James 4:8 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
23 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
22 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
29 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field.
25 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
22 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
23 words
ESV
22 words
NLT
29 words
MSG
25 words
NASB
22 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for James 4:8?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers James 4:8 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 4:8 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.