NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
10 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 3:15 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
9 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
11 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
10 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
10 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
9 words
NLT
11 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
10 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 3:15?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 3:15 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 3:15 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.