NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Proverbs 2:18 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed;
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Entering her house leads to death;it is the road to the grave.
12 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Her whole way of life is doomed; every step she takes brings her closer to hell.
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For her house sinks down to death And her tracks [lead] to the dead;
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
12 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Proverbs 2:18?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Proverbs 2:18 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 2:18 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.