Proverbs 1:13 — Compare Translations

Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.

NIV

New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)

Dynamic equivalence
we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;

14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Formal equivalence
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

13 words · Formal / word-for-word

ESV

English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)

Formal equivalence
we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder;

13 words · Essentially literal

NLT

New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)

Dynamic equivalence
Think of the great things we’ll get!We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.

16 words · Thought-for-thought clarity

MSG

The Message · 2002

Paraphrase
We'll load up on top-quality loot. We'll haul it home by the truckload.

13 words · Contemporary paraphrase

NASB

New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)

Formal equivalence
We will find all [kinds] of precious wealth, We will fill our houses with spoil;

15 words · Most literal English translation

Translation Length Comparison

NIV
14 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
16 words
MSG
13 words
NASB
15 words

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 1:13?

Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 1:13 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 Proverbs 1:13 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.