NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
21 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 3:17 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
22 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
25 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
34 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
'For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
23 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
21 words
KJV
22 words
ESV
25 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
34 words
NASB
23 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 3:17?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 3:17 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 3:17 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.