NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
13 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 5:3 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
22 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
13 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
13 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
22 words
NASB
13 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 5:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 5:3 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 Matthew 5:3 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.