NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!
13 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 1:18 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
15 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
But these people set an ambush for themselves;they are trying to get themselves killed.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Yet that's what these people are doing— they're doing themselves in.
11 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives.
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
13 words
KJV
15 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
11 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 1:18?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 1:18 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 1:18 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.