NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 3:6 — 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 which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
19 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.
38 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
'That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
19 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
19 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
38 words
NASB
19 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 3:6?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 3:6 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 3:6 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.