NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
King James Version · 1611
And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
18 words · Essentially literal
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Uzziah was the father of Jotham.Jotham was the father of Ahaz.Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.
16 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
The Message · 2002
Uzziah had Jotham, Jotham had Ahaz, Ahaz had Hezekiah,
9 words · Contemporary paraphrase
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 1:9 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).
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.
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.