Read this verse in 5 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
43 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
King James Version · 1611
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
46 words · Formal / word-for-word
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
42 words · Essentially literal
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you.And they will hold you up with their handsso you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ”
41 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON [their] HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.''
45 words · Most literal English translation
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 4:6 in 5 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, 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.