NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 1:4 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
The Word gave life to everything that was created,and his life brought light to everyone.
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.
14 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
12 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
14 words
NASB
12 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 1:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 1:4 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 John 1:4 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.