NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 1:7 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. <sup>the beginning: or, the principal part</sup>
22 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge,but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
15 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.
22 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
22 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
15 words
MSG
22 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 1:7?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 1:7 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 1:7 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.