NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
11 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 5:8 — 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 pure in heart: for they shall see God.
11 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
11 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,for they will see God.
11 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
21 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
11 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
11 words
KJV
11 words
ESV
11 words
NLT
11 words
MSG
21 words
NASB
11 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 5:8?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 5:8 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 5:8 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.