NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 5:9 — 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 peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
God blesses those who work for peace,for they will be called the children of God.
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
29 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
12 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
29 words
NASB
12 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 5:9?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 5:9 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).
Which translation of Matthew 5:9 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.