NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 1:7 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
19 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in.
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
19 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 1:7?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 1:7 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 1:7 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.