NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
28 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 3:11 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
24 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.
27 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Listen carefully. I'm speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions.
50 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
'Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony.
26 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
28 words
KJV
24 words
ESV
27 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
50 words
NASB
26 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 3:11?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 3:11 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 3:11 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.