NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord,
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 1:29 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
14 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For they hated knowledgeand chose not to fear the LORD.
10 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
"Because you hated Knowledge and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God,
12 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD.
13 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
14 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
10 words
MSG
12 words
NASB
13 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 1:29?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 1:29 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 1:29 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.